For Scott McGillivray, love is the key ingredient that transforms a house into a home. Over nearly two decades, the HGTV star has carved out a successful career as a home renovation expert, but his personal life, especially his roles as a father and husband, holds the most relevance for him.
Scott wears many hats professionally — entrepreneur, investor, television host, author, and educator — but it’s his position as a father to his daughters and a partner to Sabrina that brings him the greatest pride.
Sabrina McGillivray shines as Scott’s inspiration and role model
Although his career has undoubtedly inspired countless home improvement enthusiasts, Scott credits Sabrina as his true role model. In a heartfelt Instagram post in May 2024, he honored her with a tribute: “To the perfect role model… the one who holds it all together and makes it look effortless. Happy Mother’s Day, Sabrina, and to all the incredible moms out there.”
Scott frequently celebrates his wife and daughters. On International Women’s Day in March 2024, he shared his gratitude for his family, saying, “I’m blessed to be surrounded by the best, brightest, and most beautiful family. I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
So who is Sabrina McGillivray? Here’s what you need to know.
Sabrina has been a dedicated teacher at a Catholic school in Ontario, Canada, for many years. While she keeps much of her professional life private, Scott has often spoken about his admiration for her work ethic. In a post on HGTV Canada’s website in February 2019, he praised her as “an incredibly hard-working woman… a full-time teacher, full-time mom, amazing caretaker, and the best partner.”
Scott has also mentioned his role in spoiling Sabrina, who rarely takes time for herself. One memorable surprise was hiring a personal shopper to visit their home, a gesture Sabrina enjoyed immensely since she would never have treated herself to such a luxury.
The couple’s love story began in 2008 when they married in Vaughn, Ontario, a day Scott described as “incredible” and filled with unforgettable memories.
Reflecting on their 15 years of marriage in 2023, Scott shared on Facebook, “Has anything changed in 15 years? Yes. And I couldn’t be happier. Not to brag, but this is the best investment I’ve ever made!”
Before becoming parents, the couple enjoyed romantic date nights. Scott fondly reminisced about those early days on HGTV’s website in 2019, recalling that “dinner, drinks, and a couple of sombreros” were all it took to create the perfect atmosphere.
Scott also expressed immense gratitude for Sabrina’s unwavering support throughout his career. Though she was initially hesitant to join him on screen, Sabrina agreed to participate in the reality show Moving the McGillivrays, understanding how important it was to him.
Rather than waiting for special occasions, Scott cherishes moments with Sabrina on ordinary nights. As he wrote on HGTV’s website, “I’m a very lucky guy, and I’m reminded of it every day.”
The couple has two daughters. Their first, Myah, was born on January 24, 2012, followed by Layla on October 29, 2013. To mark Layla’s birth, HGTV shared a photo of the new parents holding their newborn. Scott opened up in a 2022 podcast interview about how fatherhood has shaped his perspective, saying, “I’m always thinking, am I setting them up for success?”
Scott’s approach to fatherhood extends to his Valentine’s Day traditions. Every year, he takes his daughters out for a “date,” teaching them what they deserve from life and love.
Sabrina McGillivray, a dedicated teacher and Scott’s strongest support
In a 2016 Facebook post, Scott praised Sabrina’s exceptional qualities as a mother and wife, calling her “the most incredible mother & a saint of a wife.”
Sabrina’s creativity shines in various ways. She participated in the reality series Moving the McGillivrays, which documented the couple building their dream home.
On the show, her sewing skills were highlighted, particularly her work on the living room’s throw pillows. Scott had no idea that Sabrina was behind the project, showing off her hidden talents.
Sabrina’s creativity also extends to family activities. Scott has shared how she’s the mastermind behind their Halloween costumes and decorations, saying, “Sabrina goes all out at Halloween,” even though their daughter Layla might humor them at times.
Sabrina also uses her creative talents to support charitable causes. Along with Scott, she partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build homes for local families in need.
In addition to her many talents, Sabrina has always been passionate about dancing. When they got married, Scott surprised Sabrina with dance lessons, even though she was already an accomplished dancer.
The video of their wedding dance became a viral sensation, gaining hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Today, Sabrina refers to herself as a “dance mom” in her Instagram bio, hinting that at least one of her daughters may be following in her dance-loving footsteps.
