The romance between Kristin Cavallari and TikTok star Mark Estes has come to an end. After publicly sharing their relationship in February 2024, the couple has parted ways after seven months, as confirmed by a source to PEOPLE in September.
Previously married to Jay Cutler, Cavallari has three children: Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor. The children had met Estes prior to their first date in Nashville, and they developed a bond with the former college football player.
Estes and Cavallari Connected Over Their Nashville Lifestyle
Reflecting on her children’s support, Cavallari mentioned on her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, “More than anything, my kids were really excited for me.
They really want to see me happy.” So who exactly is Mark Estes, Kristin Cavallari’s ex-boyfriend? Here’s what you should know about him and his time with the former reality star.
Estes has roots in both Montana and Nashville. According to his Instagram bio, he splits his time between these two locations, with Cavallari currently residing in Nashville.
In September 2023, she expressed her frustration with the Nashville dating scene, stating, “I’ve decided I’m done dating in Nashville,” and humorously added that her next partner would not be a country music star.
While attending Montana State University and Montana Tech, Estes played college football. He concluded his collegiate career with the Montana Tech Orediggers in November 2023 after six seasons, including a redshirt year.
Following his last game, he shared, “What a ride. Thankful for the last 6 years of what this sport has brought me,” alongside a field photo.
In addition to his personal TikTok account, which boasts over 170,000 followers, Estes is a member of the TikTok group Montana Boyz, which has a million followers.
He and three friends share videos showcasing their cowboy lifestyle in Montana. After his relationship with Cavallari became known, his fellow Montana Boyz expressed their approval to PEOPLE in March 2024.
Cavallari and Estes first connected through social media before meeting in person. The relationship ignited when Estes mistakenly sent a direct message from the Montana Boyz account, though he later clarified, “Yeah, I thought I was on my own account and I DMed her.” On her podcast, Cavallari shared a similar account, recalling how the DM made her feel like a “little high school girl.”
The couple made their relationship Instagram official in February 2024 when Cavallari shared a vacation photo from Mexico. She wrote, “He makes me happy 🤍,” and shortly after, Estes echoed her sentiment on his Instagram Story with heart emojis.
Many of Cavallari’s famous friends offered their support, with Kaitlyn Bristowe quoting lyrics from “Unwritten,” and Bethenny Frankel commenting, “Does anything else matter? ❤❤❤ be happy!”
Shortly thereafter, Estes showcased their relationship on his personal TikTok with a video of them dancing to “(Kissed You) Good Night” by Gloriana.
A source informed PEOPLE in February 2024 that the couple had been dating longer than publicly known and were happy together, with Estes being a great partner.
Fans quickly noted the 13-year age difference between Cavallari and Estes, with Cavallari addressing this on her podcast, saying, “Me dating a 24-year-old is not something that I was, like, searching out.” She acknowledged the perception of their relationship but insisted that Estes is “not a typical 24-year-old.”
Cavallari values her children’s opinions when it comes to her dating life, especially Camden, who is particularly protective. In March 2024, she revealed that Estes met her kids on their first date. “This is the first guy I’d say they’ve met,” she explained on her podcast, adding that her sons were eager to show him their room.
As their relationship progressed, Estes developed a rapport with Cavallari’s sons, enjoying activities like basketball together. “That’s all I’ve been wanting is a guy to play with my boys,” she shared. She even considered the possibility of having another child with Estes as their relationship became “pretty serious.”
In April 2024, the couple attended the Stagecoach music festival together, with Cavallari sharing Instagram photos captioned, “Cowboy take me away.” Estes also appeared in a fragrance campaign for Cavallari’s brand, Uncommon James, where they were seen sharing a joyful moment surrounded by desert cacti.
However, in September 2024, it was reported that Cavallari and Estes had ended their relationship after seven months. The Hills star confirmed the news during an appearance on Alex Cooper’s Unwell tour in Austin.
On her podcast, Cavallari explained her decision to end things, stating, “long-term it’s not right.” She praised Estes as the best boyfriend she’s ever had but recognized that he needs to experience life at a young age. “I started to feel the age a little bit with life experience,” she reflected, recalling her own growth during her twenties.
Despite the split, she expressed no regrets about their time together or introducing him to her kids, stating that Estes would “make someone so happy someday.” She concluded with optimism, believing that one day he would understand her decision and might even thank her for it.
