In the age of social media, where Instagram feeds are filled with images of idyllic family life, few figures spark as much debate as Hannah Neeleman, the influencer behind the popular platform "Ballerina Farm." With over nine million followers, she positions herself within the tantalizing yet contentious world of the "trad wife" movement—a term that evokes traditional gender roles, domesticity, and a focus on motherhood. However, Hannah’s narrative is markedly more complex than the simple labels suggest.
Based in Utah, Hannah is a mother of eight, marrying traditional values with modern entrepreneurial spirit. Her social media showcases life on a sprawling 328-acre farm where she engages in homesteading, farming, and crafting meals from scratch. Videos of her children running freely, her home-cooked meals, and glimpses of farm life have captivated an audience that is both enchanted and critical of the lifestyles they depict.
Despite being likened to a queen of the "trad wives," Hannah is adamant that she doesn’t quite fit the bill. In a heartfelt interview, she shared, "I don’t necessarily identify with it... I do feel like we’re paving a lot of paths that haven’t been paved before.” Hannah’s hesitance to embrace the "trad wife" label stems from her understanding that her life blends elements of modern entrepreneurship with traditional family roles—a balancing act of sorts where she plays the co-CEO alongside her husband, Daniel Neeleman.
The couple’s backstory adds layers to their modern homesteading narrative. Hannah and Daniel both hail from traditional, devout Mormon families; Daniel, the son of billionaire airline mogul David Neeleman, found his footing in a world far removed from farm life. Hannah, a Juilliard-trained ballerina, initially pursued a career in dance until motherhood beckoned. Now, she uses her passions to create a prosperous business that combines their traditional values with a savvy understanding of social media marketing.
In her daily life, Hannah champions a rustic, hands-on approach that eschews screens for her children and showcases home birth—six of her eight kids were born at home, with minimal medical intervention. Yet, the level of labor she undertakes is not without its consequences. Striking a poignant balance, Hannah has shared that she has sometimes suffered so severely from exhaustion that she could not get out of bed for days. "Sometimes, I can get so ill from exhaustion that I can’t get out of bed for a week,” she confessed, highlighting the physical toll of her commitments.
Then there is the intricate interplay of her roles—full-time mother, farmer, and business owner—all while juggling social media fame. Her husband, Daniel, describing their shared responsibilities, asserts, "We’re co-CEOs" of their farm business. Despite their shared commitment, the weight of expectation often lands on Hannah, who aims to inspire others while battling the tangible stress that comes from managing a large family with no outside childcare.
As attention surged following a recent profile in The Times, the conversations around Hannah became deeply polarized. Critics argue that her "trad wife" portrayal risks romanticizing an unrealistic lifestyle—a lifestyle which may undermine hard-won gender equality by reinforcing traditional gender roles. Supporters, on the other hand, argue she provides an empowering choice for women who wish to engage in similar lifestyles without sacrificing their personal aspirations.
The social media realm has been both a boon and a bane for Hannah. While she has attracted a devoted following, the backlash has been fierce. Some argue her picturesque portrayal of farm life glosses over the chaos and challenges inherent in raising eight young children. A viral dispatch from the Times illuminated aspects of her domestic life, prompting perplexed and sympathetic reactions flooding social media platforms.
A deeper look at Hannah’s life reveals contradictions that fuel the ongoing discussion around the "trad wife" movement. Online, she portrays the seamless joys of family life, yet in private, she grapples with exhaustion and the demands of an intense lifestyle. This duality creates a cultural tension, as different factions within the discourse clash over whether her lifestyle is authentic or aspirational.
Speaking to her critics, Hannah cites the joy of cooking and nurturing her family, asserting, "I feel like there’s so much joy in making a beautiful meal for your family. It’s very satisfying, especially when you have had some part in growing or sourcing the food that you have a connection to." This perspective, while echoing sentiments of motherhood and nurturing, raises questions about whether perpetuating such ideals is beneficial or damaging to modern femininity.
Hannah's narrative intertwines deeply with notions of faith and familial responsibility, which are integral to her identity. She openly discusses how faith influences their family planning, suggesting that her decisions about having children align with her spiritual beliefs. "It’s very much a matter of prayer for me," she noted, reflecting the intertwining of her spiritual life with her role as a mother.
As the digital landscape continues to grow and evolve, Hannah has become a focal point in the larger dialogue regarding women’s roles, social media influence, and the definitions of success and fulfillment. The tension between tradition and modernity permeates her life—and by extension, the lives of countless other women who draw inspiration from her journey. The ongoing discussions about her lifestyle highlight a deeper societal struggle to reconcile different notions of what it means to be a woman today.
Hannah Neeleman’s experiences as a mother and entrepreneur demonstrate the complexities of familial roles and the changing expectations placed upon women. Whether viewed as an ideal or a cautionary tale, her journey ignites fervor on both sides of the debate, leaving many questioning the validity of traditional labels in an increasingly diverse cultural landscape.
