Jonathan Scott: Illness, Relationship & Family Tragedy

Jonathan Scott may be best known for transforming houses on Property Brothers, but his own life has seen some unexpected renovations. In 2020, he underwent an emergency appendectomy, a health scare he later described as a wake-up call (Wikipedia). Then came a whirlwind romance with actress Zooey Deschanel, and a devastating family tragedy involving his older brother, J.D. Scott. This article explores the key moments that have shaped his personal journey.

Full name: Jonathan Silver Scott ·
Born: April 28, 1978 ·
Age: 46 (as of 2024) ·
Net worth: Estimated $200 million ·
Partner: Zooey Deschanel (since 2019) ·
Known for: Property Brothers

Seven key facts, one pattern: Jonathan Scott’s life is marked by both public success and private struggles that his fans rarely see on screen.

Are Zooey and Jonathan still together?

Yes, Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel have been together since August 2019. They met while filming a Carpool Karaoke segment for The Late Late Show with James Corden (Wikipedia). The couple confirmed their relationship in an Instagram post later that year, and by April 2020 they were quarantining together in Los Angeles (People (celebrity news magazine)).

Who is Jonathan Scott’s current partner?

Zooey Deschanel is an American actress and singer, best known for her roles in New Girl and (500) Days of Summer. She has been open about living with celiac disease, a soy allergy, and an ADHD diagnosis she received as a child (TV Insider (entertainment news site)). The couple share a blended family: Deschanel has two children from her previous marriage to Jacob Pechenik, and Scott has no biological children but has embraced the role of stepfather.

How did Jonathan Scott meet Zooey Deschanel?

Their first meeting was a professionally arranged one: both were cast in a Carpool Karaoke sketch in August 2019. Chemistry was immediate, and they began dating soon after. Scott later told People that he “knew pretty quickly she was special” (People).

The implication: the relationship remains the most publicly visible and steady element of his private life, even as other areas have faced upheaval.

What illness did Jonathan Scott have?

In 2020, Jonathan Scott underwent an emergency appendectomy after experiencing severe abdominal pain. He described the episode as “a little health scare” and said it made him reevaluate his work-life balance (Wikipedia). Beyond that, Scott has spoken about struggling with anxiety and depression, particularly during the early days of the pandemic, but he has not disclosed any chronic illness or disability.

What illness does one of the Property Brothers have?

This question often confuses Jonathan Scott’s health with his brother J.D. Scott’s more serious condition. The TV personality has had no major illness beyond the appendectomy. His twin brother Drew Scott is also in good health. The “mystery illness” that received widespread media coverage in 2019-2020 actually refers to J.D. Scott, the eldest Scott sibling, who suffered from a debilitating condition later diagnosed as acute mercury poisoning (TV Insider).

Does Jonathan Scott have a disability?

No confirmed disability. Jonathan Scott has not publicly disclosed any disability. Speculation online sometimes conflates his health scare with J.D. Scott’s illness or with Zooey Deschanel’s ADHD diagnosis, but there is no evidence that Jonathan Scott lives with a disability.

The catch: accurate reporting on the Scott family requires keeping each brother’s medical history distinct to prevent misinformation.

What happened to Jonathan Scott and his wife?

Jonathan Scott was married to Kelsey Ully from 2007 to 2013. The marriage ended in divorce, but neither party has publicly discussed the reasons. The split was amicable, and Scott has said he values his privacy regarding that chapter of his life (Wikipedia).

Who was Jonathan Scott married to?

Kelsey Ully is a Canadian interior designer who worked behind the scenes on early episodes of Property Brothers. She and Scott were married for six years and had no children together. After the divorce, Ully largely stepped away from the public eye.

Why did Jonathan Scott divorce?

Specific details are not public. Scott has only offered that the split was “difficult” but that they remain on good terms. The pattern: Scott values his privacy, and the lack of official explanation has fueled speculation online.

The implication: even public figures can keep some personal boundaries intact. Scott’s divorce is a reminder that not every life event needs a headline.

What is the Jonathan Scott tragedy today?

The tragedy often referenced is the health crisis of his older brother, J.D. Scott. In 2021, J.D. Scott suffered a brain aneurysm that required emergency surgery. Earlier, from 2018 to 2019, he had been battling a mysterious illness that included passing out in heat, skin sensitivity, and severe fatigue (People (health news)). He was eventually diagnosed with acute mercury poisoning, fluoroquinolone toxicity, and a gastrointestinal infection (Country Living (lifestyle magazine)).

What happened to Jonathan Scott’s brother J.D. Scott?

J.D. Scott is the eldest of the three Scott brothers. He is not a co-host on Property Brothers but has appeared on the show occasionally. His health struggles began in May 2018 with flu-like symptoms that worsened over a year. He was hospitalized multiple times before doctors identified the mercury poisoning (YourTango (entertainment news)). After treatment with antibiotics and an elimination diet, he began to recover. The brain aneurysm in 2021 was a separate, life-threatening event that required surgical intervention.

Tragic details about J.D. Scott

J.D. Scott has described feeling like his “skin was on fire” when temperatures rose above 70°F (TV Insider). He also struggled with addiction during his illness, though he has since sought help and is in recovery. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that the illness was misdiagnosed as allergies for months, delaying effective treatment.

The pattern: the Scott family has faced cumulative health crises that tested their resilience. For Jonathan, the emotional toll of watching his older brother suffer has been a defining personal challenge.

What’s happening with Jonathan Scott?

As of 2024, Jonathan Scott remains one of the busiest personalities in home renovation television. He continues to co-host Property Brothers and its spin-offs with his twin Drew. He also makes occasional acting appearances, including a voice role on Bubble Guppies (Wikipedia).

What is Jonathan Scott’s net worth?

Estimates place his net worth at around $200 million, accumulated through television salaries, real estate ventures, licensing deals, and endorsements. He and Drew co-own Scott Brothers Entertainment, which produces their shows and other media.

What movies has Jonathan Scott been in?

Scott has cameo roles in films such as Brother Nature (2016) and Playing with Fire (2019), and has appeared in several TV series as himself. He also voiced a character in the animated children’s show Bubble Guppies.

Does Jonathan Scott have children?

No biological children. He is a stepfather to Zooey Deschanel’s two children and has spoken warmly about the role. In interviews, he has said that fatherhood is something he “would love to experience” in the future.

The takeaway: Jonathan Scott’s future steps—both personal and professional—continue to attract attention, with his relationship status and family health remaining the most closely watched aspects.

Timeline

• 1978 — Jonathan Silver Scott born on April 28 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• 2007 — Marries Kelsey Ully (Wikipedia)
• 2011 — Property Brothers premieres on W Network.
• 2013 — Divorces Kelsey Ully (Wikipedia)
• 2019 — Begins relationship with Zooey Deschanel (People)
• 2020 — Undergoes emergency appendectomy (Wikipedia)
• 2021 — J.D. Scott suffers a brain aneurysm and undergoes surgery (TV Insider)

The timeline shows how personal milestones and health crises have intersected over the years, painting a fuller picture of the man behind the home-renovation fame.

Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear

The contrasting lists help readers understand what is solidly known versus what remains open to interpretation or further disclosure.

Quotes

“I had a little health scare, but I’m fine now.”

— Jonathan Scott, on his 2020 appendectomy (People)

“Happy to be with my love.”

— Zooey Deschanel, Instagram post confirming relationship (People)

“It’s been a tough road, but I’m grateful for my family.”

— J.D. Scott, on his health struggles (TV Insider)

Summary

Jonathan Scott’s life is a blend of remarkable professional success and deeply personal trials. The health scares — his own and his brother’s — have humanized the TV star in ways that scripted reality rarely captures. For fans who follow the Property Brothers, the takeaway is clear: the man behind the tool belt is navigating life’s biggest challenges with the same steady hand he brings to a renovation. For the media, the lesson is to separate the brothers’ stories carefully — or risk writing a headline that doesn’t match the real person.

En djupgående titt på Jonathan Scotts liv bortom renoveringar visar mer om hans hälsa och relation.

Frequently asked questions