Trey Gowdy has been married to Terri Dillard Gowdy, a first-grade teacher, for several decades now.
Before moving into television, Gowdy built an extensive political career with its share of highs and lows. His entry into politics came in 2000 when, as a young federal prosecutor, he told his wife, Terri, that he wanted to run for solicitor of the 7th Circuit. The district covered Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. At the time, their children were just 3 and 7, and he had never run for office before.
The idea took Terri aback, but she chose to stand behind him. Neither of them anticipated that victory would bring death threats to their safety. According to The Post and Courier, police patrolled their property, and federal marshals stayed in their home for weeks. One day, the school where Terri taught — and their children studied — went into lockdown after a man with troubling intentions appeared nearby.
Beyond the security concerns, the cases Gowdy handled also took a heavy toll. Over the years, he tried seven death penalty cases and won each one. The constant exposure to such cruelty wore him down, and the violence followed him home. Abigail, their young daughter, often slept on their bedroom floor with her stuffed animals and their yellow Lab, Judge, close by.
Through it all, Trey and Terri stood together, raising their children, Watson and Abigail, into adulthood. So, what else do we know about their marriage, and what does Terri really do?
Who Is Trey Gowdy’s Wife, Terri Dillard?
She works as a first-grade teacher at Anderson Mill Elementary School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where her work has earned several honors.
She was named the school’s Teacher of the Year for 2019–2020 and received the Elementary Distinguished Literacy Teacher of the Year award for District Six in 2021.
Before she dedicated herself to the classroom, she spent time on the pageant stage. In her younger years, she earned the title of Miss Spartanburg and later placed as second runner-up in the Miss South Carolina competition.
She Grew Up In South Carolina
The celebrity spouse was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, to Pat and Frank Dillard. Her father spent years in the Army before serving as a councilman in Spartanburg County.
Terri was raised in a faith-centered home, with her family active in the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg.
Trey and Terri Got Married in 1989
The Gowdy couple exchanged vows on August 2, 1989, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They first met years earlier at a church youth camp, a connection that eventually led to their marriage.
Trey has often said that marrying Terri is “proof there is a God and He loves me.” More than three decades later, their bond remains as strong as ever.
Their Children, Watson and Abigail
Trey and his wife, Terri, have two children — a son, Watson, born in the early 1990s, and a daughter, Abigail, born in February 1997.
On her 20th birthday, Trey shared a throwback photo on Instagram with the caption, “Happy Birthday to our precious little girl Abigail – born 20 years ago today.”
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According to her LinkedIn page, Abigail works as a law clerk for the South Carolina Judicial Branch. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice/Criminology and a Juris Doctor, both from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
On the other hand, their son, Watson, is said to be a real estate agent at Brad Lile and Associates. He reportedly attended Clemson University before enrolling at Washington School of Law
Terri Now Resides in Spartanburg
Terri lives in Spartanburg with her husband and their two children. The family also shares their home with three dogs — Judge, Jury, and Bailiff.
