Welcome to Plathville alum Kim Plath officially has a new boyfriend in her life and he made his onscreen debut during season 5 of the family’s reality TV show. So, who is her new man, Ken Palmer, and when did the two meet?

When Did Kim Plath and Ken Palmer Start Dating? 

The reality TV matriarch’s first mention of her new romantic interest came after her DUI case was reopened in May 2023. According to legal documents obtained by In Touch on May 3, 2023, Plath identified Palmer as her boyfriend as part of her reopened case after being arrested for driving under the influence in October 2022 in connection to a June 2022 incident. The reality TV star filed an order on April 3, 2023, to dismiss the impoundment and immobilization of her vehicle. 

Plath submitted an affidavit to the Wakulla County, Florida, court, claiming that the car she was driving during the June 2022 incident was totaled, adding that she has two other vehicles in her name, per the legal records. One of the two cars is being driven by Plath’s son, Isaac Plath, and the other vehicle is being driven by Palmer. Plath noted in the paperwork that she had cosigned Palmer’s car. However, the motion and hearing were canceled in the end, and the case was closed on April 14, 2023. 

'Welcome to Platville': Kim Plath Arrested for DUI, Mugshot
TLC

The TLC alum’s DUI case was initially closed in March 2023 after she was found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of $963, serve a nine-month probation period and perform 50 hours of community service, according to online records exclusively viewed by In Touch

Kim officially introduced Ken during season 5 of Welcome to Plathville, revealing she met him through her youngest son, Isaac Plath.

“Isaac and Ken are former coworkers and they own a plane together and they have a unique bond,” Kim explained on the October 17 episode, concerned about her son’s reaction to the news. “I’m a little bit worried that he might not be okay with me dating Ken, but I also feel like it’s time to tell him.”

Upon finding out about his mom’s new boyfriend, Isaac called the revelation “awkward” as he didn’t know “what to think” of the news yet. “I’m feeling, uh, just sad for the most part,” Isaac said in a private confessional.

How Did Kim’s Ex Barry Plath React to Her Dating Again?

Kim explained to her son Isaac that his dad, Barry Plath, simply said he was “sad” when he learned she was dating again. She recounted at the beginning of their separation, Kim told Barry that she wanted to see other people.

“He never said, ‘I don’t want you to,’ he never said, ‘Please don’t,’” the mom of 10 explained of Barry’s reaction. In a private confessional, she added that her ex “didn’t have much to say” when she revealed her relationship with Ken.

“I guess I expected that he would tell me he didn’t want me to see other people or something, but he really said nothing,” she continued. “I mean, I guess it doesn’t really surprise me because it seems like maybe he was holding on to hope that somehow we would get back together.”

Barry opened up on his reaction to Kim’s new boyfriend later in the episode, noting he was “shocked” and “didn’t have much to say.”

“‘Cause what do you say to something like that? But I’m not sitting here condoning anything Kim’s doing regarding that,” he told producers. “Looking back on things, 25 years’ worth of marriage and all of a sudden, it’s gone. Part of me gets angry at the fact that this is happening. And then, you know, just being sad.”

What Is Kim Plath’s Boyfriend Ken Palmer’s Job? 

Palmer works at Siemens Corporation, an industrial manufacturing company. Multiple outlets also report that he works as an aviation instructor. 

What Is Ken Palmer’s Net Worth? 

Palmer’s net worth is not currently clear, but his busy working lifestyle is earning him a steady income. Per multiple outlets, aviation maintenance instructors in the state of Florida earn anywhere between $45,000 to $74,000 per year.

Where Does Ken Palmer Live? 

Palmer seemingly resides in the same city as the Plaths — Cairo, Georgia — as he is a former coworker of Isaac.

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