Southern Charm: Austen Kroll's Family Background Explained

Southern Charm star Austen Kroll isn’t new to the series, but many are wondering about his family background after his appearance on the most recent season of the show. While Austen has been part of the cast since Southern Charm season 4, his life outside the series has been primarily quiet. Spending time with his fellow Charmers, Austen has made a name for himself using the show as a backdrop to promote his own products. While Austen has been running a business, he’s also keeping tabs on all the drama happening around Charleston, South Carolina to deal with his friends.

Throughout Southern Charm season 9, Austen was caught in a serious debate about his relationship with Olivia Flowers, who he’d started dating during the filming of Southern Charm season 8. Austen, who’s close friends with Shep Rose and Craig Conover, had some issues dealing with his and Olivia’s breakup, especially because Shep and his longtime girlfriend, Taylor Ann Green, broke up around the same time as Austen and Olivia. Rumors swirled about Austen and Taylor potentially getting together, which both dened until they couldn’t. With such a focus on Austen’s relationships, many have wondered about his family outside the show.

Austen Kroll Was Born In Washington, D.C.

Originally born in Washington, D.C., Austen’s southern roots have been part of his life since his childhood. Born in June of 1987, Austen’s family was only in Washington, D.C. for part of his childhood. In an episode of Southern Charm, Austen talked about his family moving to South Carolina in order to be closer him and his sister, Katie. Though Austen’s family was moving to be closer to their children, his parents selling his childhood home hit hard, and he was highly emotional. While Charleson, South Carolina isn’t far from from his hometown, Austen struggled with the change.

Austen Kroll's Family Moved To Charlotte At A Young Age

His Family Settled Down In North Carolina

After just a few years of life, Austen’s family moved from the US capital to Charlotte, North Carolina. The state is typically a midway point for some who come from the northeast to settle down for a more southern feel, and with Austen’s family coming from Washington, D.C., settling down in Charlotte was a nice change of pace. Though technically a middle child, Austen has grown up with a younger sister. Living in North Carolina, Austen had a great view of the south in his young life, which he’s spoken about on episodes of Southern Charm in the past.

Austen Kroll's Sister Kyle Passed Away

Kyle Kroll Was Nine Years Old When She Tragically Passed

Although Austen doesn’t share abut his past on the Bravo series often, he spoke about his sister Kyle Kroll during the Southern Charm season 8 reunion, explaining there was some serious tragedy in his past. Austen explained that his older sister Kyle died at just 9 years old, while his family was out on a hike together in 1994. The Southern Charm star explained that the trail his family was on was slippery, as there had been heavy rain in the days prior to their outing. Kyle was too young to understand what was happening before it was too late.

Kyle, who had gone ahead of the rest of his family, got outside the barricades of the hiking trail before any of the adults in their group could notice. By the time they realized Kyle wasn’t with them, it was too late to do anything to help her. Kyle had slipped around 200 feet, sustaining injuries that were irreparable. While Austen was certain for a time that his family would ultimately bring his sister home, it took him and his parents some time to come to terms with the fact that she wouldn’t recover. Sadly, Austen’s sister Kyle tragically passed.

Austen Kroll's Parents Welcomed Another Daughter

After Kyle’s Death, The Krolls Had Another Child

Although Austen was reeling from his sister Kyle’s tragic accident, his family had to pick up the pieces and move forward together. As the Kroll’s had just moved to North Carolina, Austen was able to socialize and make new friends in his neighborhood, but he round it difficult for him to cope as he tried to work through the grief he was facing. Austen has shared that talking about Kyle was difficult for him after it happened, and diving into the trauma now is tough for the Southern Charm star. Thankfully, the Kroll family welcomed another daughter just years later.

Austen’s younger sister, Katie Kroll, was born just a few years after Kyle’s tragic death, and Austen has shared that when she was born, he felt their family became whole again. Though Katie couldn’t heal all their trauma, her birth was a step in the right direction for the family to truly begin to heal. Now, the Kroll family all reside within South Carolina and are a tight-knit group who enjoy spending their time together. Bonded to his parents by their trauma of losing Kyle, the family has been able to reform with Katie and share some incredible experiences together.

Who Are Austen Kroll's Parents?

Tom And Wendy Kroll Have Moved Closer To Austen

Austen’s parents, Tom Kroll and Wendy Kroll, have appeared with him on Southern Charm before. While Tom and Wendy aren’t typically on the series, they’ve been part of an episode before as Austen was helping them move from his family home in North Carolina to Seabrook Island, South Carolina. The couples’ beautiful home was featured on the series, and Austen shared that he was happy to have his parents closer. While “it was a very emotional move because we left behind so many memories,” Austen explained that his mother has been dedicated to making their new house feel like home.

The Southern Charm star’s family has been through some serious tragedy in the past, but in the face of some trying times, they’ve stayed together. As Austen and his younger sister, Katie, get older, it’s clear that they both like to spend as much as they time with their parents, focusing on sticking close together. For Austen, keeping his family together has been a priority since his time on Southern Charm began. A family-centric guy, Austen has been clear about his priorities to everyone he’s dated on the series, making it clear they’re the most important people in his life.