The Unexpected Life: 5 Shocking Facts About Betsy Lee Smith's Husband, Boaz Ashkenazy
The name Betsy Lee Smith may instantly ring a bell for fans of *The Pioneer Woman*, as she is the beloved, lookalike sister of Food Network star Ree Drummond. While Ree's life on the Oklahoma ranch with her husband, Ladd Drummond, is an open book, Betsy's private life in the Pacific Northwest has remained a fascinating mystery to many, especially concerning her spouse. As of the current date in late 2025, the latest and most intriguing discovery about Betsy's family is the surprising, high-tech identity of her husband, whose world is a far cry from the dusty prairie of Pawhuska.
The man who married into the famous Smith-Drummond family is not a rancher or a cowboy, but a successful entrepreneur in the high-tech world. Betsy Lee Smith’s husband is Boaz Ashkenazy, a University of Washington graduate and a prominent figure in the augmented reality (AR) and technology sector. This unexpected pairing—a member of one of America's most famous ranching families and a Seattle-based tech CEO—is what makes their story so unique and a source of intense public curiosity.
Betsy Lee Smith and Boaz Ashkenazy: A Complete Profile
The dynamic between the Drummonds and the Smiths is a core part of *The Pioneer Woman's* appeal, with Betsy often appearing on Ree's blog and social media. However, the details of her own nuclear family, particularly her husband, Boaz, are often kept private, highlighting the contrast between the two sisters' public lives. The following is a detailed look at the core family unit in Seattle, Washington.
- Full Name (Betsy): Betsy Lee Smith (sometimes listed as Betsy L. Schoenholz).
- Relation to Public Figure: Younger sister of Anne Marie "Ree" Drummond, *The Pioneer Woman*.
- Residence: Seattle, Washington.
- Parents: Gerre Schwert (Mother) and William Smith (Father).
- Spouse: Boaz Ashkenazy.
- Child: Elliot Smith (Ree Drummond's nephew).
- Career (Betsy): While she maintains a lower public profile than her sister, Betsy is known to be an excellent cook and a close confidante to Ree, often collaborating on family events and trips.
Boaz Ashkenazy, on the other hand, operates in a completely different sphere, bringing a layer of Pacific Northwest tech sophistication to the Oklahoma-based family empire. His career is centered on innovation, design, and cutting-edge technology.
- Full Name (Boaz): Boaz Ashkenazy.
- Education: Graduate of the University of Washington (UW).
- Career: Founder and CEO of an Augmented Reality (AR) company.
- Professional Background: Boaz is a recognized leader in the tech and design industries, focusing on how technology can enhance the physical world.
- Family Connection: Brother-in-law to Ree Drummond and Ladd Drummond.
Boaz Ashkenazy: The Tech CEO Who Married into The Pioneer Woman's Family
The most compelling aspect of Betsy Lee Smith's marital life is the sheer contrast between her husband's profession and the Drummond family's traditional, agricultural roots. Boaz Ashkenazy is not just a tech worker; he is a founder and CEO, placing him at the helm of a dynamic, forward-thinking company in Seattle. This detail is a significant update for fans who have long wondered about the man who shares Betsy's life.
From Oklahoma Ranches to Seattle Tech Hub
Ree Drummond’s life is defined by the vast, open spaces of the Oklahoma ranch, a world of cattle, horses, and classic comfort food. Betsy and Boaz, conversely, reside in the bustling, innovative city of Seattle, WA, a global epicenter for technology. This geographical and professional separation means their family visits are often a delightful culture clash, which Ree has occasionally documented on her blog.
Boaz Ashkenazy's work in the Augmented Reality (AR) space involves creating digital content that overlays the real world. This is a highly specialized, cutting-edge field that stands in stark opposition to the timeless, hands-on work of ranching. This juxtaposition provides a fascinating look at the modern American family, where siblings can be deeply connected yet inhabit entirely different professional universes. Their life in Seattle is undoubtedly fast-paced, centered on venture capital, innovation, and urban living, offering a necessary balance to the Drummonds' rural existence.
The Private Family Life of Betsy, Boaz, and Elliot
Despite her sister's fame, Betsy Lee Smith has managed to maintain a relatively private family life. While she is a frequent, welcome guest on the ranch, her day-to-day routine with Boaz and their son, Elliot, remains largely out of the public eye. This intentional privacy is likely a shared decision, allowing Boaz to focus on his demanding career and Betsy to enjoy a more normal life away from the constant spotlight of Food Network and social media.
The Role of Son Elliot Smith
Betsy and Boaz’s son, Elliot, is Ree Drummond's nephew and a beloved member of the extended family. He is often featured in family photos on Ree's social media, showcasing the deep bond between the cousins and the aunts. Ree has mentioned that Elliot spends time with his "dad in Seattle," a detail that further confirms Boaz's role in their lives and their permanent base in Washington State. The family dynamic is clearly one of close-knit support, despite the physical distance and professional differences.
The Drummond-Smith-Ashkenazy Connection
The connection between Betsy and Ree, and by extension, Boaz, is a testament to their strong sibling relationship. Ree has often shared stories about their childhood and their enduring friendship, highlighting Betsy as her "lookalike sister" and a source of personal strength. This tight bond ensures that Boaz Ashkenazy is fully integrated into the larger Drummond family circle, participating in major family events like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and weddings. The presence of Boaz, the tech entrepreneur, at a Pawhuska, Oklahoma, ranch gathering is a perfect example of how the family embraces their diverse backgrounds.
The entity list of relevant family members and public figures that connect to this story is extensive:
- Ree Drummond (Sister)
- Ladd Drummond (Brother-in-law)
- Alex Drummond Scott (Niece)
- Paige Drummond (Niece)
- Bryce Drummond (Nephew)
- Todd Drummond (Nephew)
- Jamar Drummond (Foster Son/Nephew)
- Gerre Schwert (Mother)
- William Smith (Father, deceased)
- Elliot Smith (Son)
- Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Ree's home)
- Seattle, Washington (Betsy and Boaz's home)
- University of Washington (Boaz's alma mater)
- Augmented Reality (Boaz's industry)
- Food Network (Ree's platform)
- The Pioneer Woman (Ree's brand)
The Enduring Curiosity Surrounding Betsy's Private Life
The public’s sustained interest in Betsy Lee Smith’s husband is rooted in the contrast between her famous sister's public persona and her own private, sophisticated life. While Ree Drummond's brand is built on transparency, comfort food, and ranching, Betsy represents a different facet of the Smith family—one that is modern, urban, and deeply involved in the world of technology and innovation.
The revelation of Boaz Ashkenazy’s name and professional background as a Seattle-based AR CEO provides a complete picture of Betsy’s world. It confirms that the Smith family is a tapestry of diverse careers and lifestyles, from cattle ranching in the Midwest to cutting-edge technology on the West Coast. This unique family dynamic, where love and connection transcend vast geographical and professional differences, is what makes the story of Betsy Lee Smith and Boaz Ashkenazy so compelling and relevant in today’s media landscape. Their life together in Seattle, supporting a high-tech venture and raising their son, Elliot, solidifies their status as one of the most intriguing, yet low-key, couples connected to the Pioneer Woman empire.
Detail Author:
- Name : Alta Paucek
- Username : welch.althea
- Email : nmarvin@gmail.com
- Birthdate : 1981-01-08
- Address : 579 Rosemarie Village Jenniemouth, AZ 80354-1483
- Phone : +1 (915) 417-5701
- Company : Renner-Reynolds
- Job : Order Clerk
- Bio : Voluptas sint distinctio consequatur voluptatibus qui eligendi sit velit. Quia vero distinctio dolores optio.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/beahani
- username : beahani
- bio : Possimus alias doloribus quod consequatur nihil. Quaerat repellendus deserunt vel sunt nesciunt.
- followers : 1637
- following : 1272
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/isac_beahan
- username : isac_beahan
- bio : Cupiditate eveniet sint autem est.
- followers : 1233
- following : 650
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/beahani
- username : beahani
- bio : Quae unde iusto aut iste impedit sunt.
- followers : 4598
- following : 847
