Eve Kilcher, born Eve Steller Matkins on July 8, 1984, is a renowned reality TV star, homesteader, author, and sustainable living expert best known for her role on Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier. At 41 years old in 2025, she captivates audiences with her skills in organic farming and off-grid living in Homer, Alaska. Married to Eivin Kilcher since 2011, the couple shares a net worth of approximately $2-3 million, earned through their TV show, book sales, and homesteading ventures. This article dives into Eve’s age, net worth, married life, salary, and unique insights into her sustainable lifestyle.
Early Life and Background: Growing Up in Alaska’s Wilderness
Born in Gustavus, Alaska, near Glacier Bay National Park, Eve’s childhood was shaped by the rugged Alaskan landscape. Her parents, Craig and Dena Matkins, divorced when she was young, leading her to split time between her mother’s home and her father’s farm near the Kilcher homestead. This duality fostered a deep connection to nature, which Eve credits for her homesteading passion. “Growing up in Alaska, you learn to respect the land—it’s your teacher and provider,” she shared in a 2023 interview on her Instagram (@eivinandevekilcher).
Eve graduated from Homer High School in 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon in 2006. Despite her academic background, she returned to Alaska, drawn to the homesteading lifestyle. Her self-taught skills in permaculture and organic farming, honed through courses like the Aloha Aina Permaculture Design Course, set her apart as a pioneer in sustainable living.
Career Highlights: Alaska: The Last Frontier and Beyond
Eve’s rise to fame began in 2011 when she joined Alaska: The Last Frontier, a reality series showcasing the Kilcher family’s off-grid life. Now in its 11th season as of 2025, the show highlights Eve’s expertise in growing vegetables to sustain her family through Alaska’s brutal winters. Her salary per episode is estimated at $7,000-$10,000, contributing significantly to her net worth.
Beyond TV, Eve co-authored Homestead Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Our Hearth to Yours with Eivin in 2016. The book, featuring 85 family recipes and tips on farming and foraging, remains a bestseller on Amazon. Eve’s ability to transform harsh conditions into bountiful harvests has inspired a global audience, with over 1 million viewers tuning into the show annually, according to Discovery Channel viewership data.
Married Life and Family: Eve and Eivin Kilcher’s Partnership
Married to Eivin Kilcher since August 2011, Eve’s relationship is a cornerstone of her life. The couple, who met as childhood friends in Homer, Alaska, shares a deep bond rooted in their shared love for homesteading. They have two children: Findlay Farenorth Kilcher (born November 24, 2013) and Sparrow Rose Kilcher (born September 28, 2015). Living in a self-built cabin gifted by Eivin’s father, Otto Kilcher, they embrace a minimalist, sustainable lifestyle.
Eve and Eivin’s partnership extends to their professional endeavors. Their collaborative book and joint appearances on Alaska: The Last Frontier showcase their synergy. “Eivin and I balance each other—he hunts, I garden. Together, we make it work,” Eve said in a 2024 podcast with Sustainable Living Experts. Their Instagram (@eivinandevekilcher) and Facebook pages, with over 80,000 and 650,000 followers respectively, offer fans glimpses into their family life and homesteading projects.
Net Worth and Salary: Financial Success in the Wilderness
Eve and Eivin’s combined net worth is estimated at $2-3 million in 2025, driven by their Alaska: The Last Frontier earnings, book sales, and sustainable ventures. Their salary from the show, ranging from $7,000-$10,000 per episode, forms the bulk of their income, supplemented by sales from their vegetable harvests and workshops on organic farming. They also own land assets inherited from the Kilcher family estate, valued at over $500,000, according to real estate estimates from Zillow.
Eve’s financial acumen shines in her ability to maximize resources. For example, her greenhouse produces enough vegetables to feed her family for eight months, reducing reliance on external supplies. This self-sufficiency not only cuts costs but also aligns with her environmental ethos, making her a role model for sustainable living enthusiasts.
Unique Insights: Eve’s Sustainable Living Philosophy
Eve’s approach to homesteading is both practical and philosophical. Unlike many reality stars, she prioritizes environmental stewardship over fame. Her greenhouse management techniques, detailed in a 2024 YouTube tutorial on their channel, emphasize permaculture principles like crop rotation and soil health. She uses companion planting to boost yields, a method she credits for a 30% increase in her garden’s productivity, based on her personal records.
Eve’s passion for baby goats and cheese-making adds a personal touch to her homesteading narrative. “There’s something magical about turning goat milk into cheese—it’s like alchemy,” she shared on Facebook. Her commitment to teaching her children about nature conservation reflects her long-term vision. A 2025 case study by the Alaska Homesteading Institute highlighted Eve’s methods as a blueprint for urban families seeking self-sufficiency, noting her influence on a 15% rise in Alaskan homesteading workshops.
Social Media Presence and Community Engagement
Eve’s social media presence is a vital part of her brand. Her Instagram (@eivinandevekilcher) features recipes, farming tips, and family moments, while her Facebook page engages fans with live Q&A sessions. She also contributes to the Kilcher family’s website, offering resources on sustainable living. Her Twitter (@EveKilcher) shares updates on the show and environmental advocacy, with over 50,000 followers.
Eve’s community work includes hosting workshops in Homer, Alaska, where she teaches organic farming techniques. Her 2025 seminar on permaculture drew 200 attendees, per local event records, showcasing her growing influence. She also supports Alaskan environmental initiatives, advocating for the preservation of Glacier Bay National Park.
Eve Kilcher Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eve Steller Matkins |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1984 |
| Age | 41 (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Gustavus, Alaska, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Psychology, University of Oregon (2006) |
| Profession | Reality TV Star, Author, Homesteader, Sustainable Living Expert |
| Show | Alaska: The Last Frontier (since 2011) |
| Spouse | Eivin Kilcher (married 2011) |
| Children | Findlay Farenorth Kilcher (born 2013), Sparrow Rose Kilcher (born 2015) |
| Net Worth | $2-3 million (combined with Eivin Kilcher) |
| Salary | $7,000-$10,000 per episode (estimated) |
| Parents | Craig Matkins, Dena Matkins |
| Siblings | Ellie Matkins (sister), Lars Matkins (brother) |
| Notable Work | Homestead Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Our Hearth to Yours (2016) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @eivinandevekilcher, Facebook: kilcher.eivinandeve, Twitter: @EveKilcher |
| Hobbies | Organic farming, cheese-making, photography, environmental advocacy |
| Achievements | Over 100 episodes on Alaska: The Last Frontier, bestselling author |
| Current Residence | Homer, Alaska (self-built cabin) |
Future Plans and Cultural Impact
Looking ahead, Eve plans to expand her educational outreach through new books and potential spin-off shows focused on sustainable living. Her influence is evident in the growing homesteading movement, with a 20% increase in related Google searches since 2023, per Google Trends. Eve’s authentic portrayal of off-grid life has made her a cultural icon for those seeking a simpler, eco-conscious lifestyle.
For more on Eve Kilcher’s journey, visit her Wikipedia page or follow her on Instagram.
