Flip or Flop has become one of the most successful shows on HGTV with over two million viewers. The brains behind the idea for the show came from Christina and Tarek El Moussa, two realtors from California, who sent a tape to the TV company with an idea for a show. They had been buying and renovating homes for a profit and decided to try and get a TV company interested in filming their work.

The show became a great hit and the couple’s good looks and sparkling personalities made great viewing. The relationship between them added dynamism to the show and viewers loved getting to know them and learning about their lives and their children.

Sadly, the marriage was destined for failure, but the show continues. Amidst the difficulties of filming for the show, Tarek battled two bouts of cancer and had invasive treatment to cure it. This included some hormone medication that altered his mental state so that his behavior became erratic, and he became anxious and depressed.

Issues developed within the relationship and they announced they were separating, with Tarek filing for divorce in 2016. This was finalized in 2017 but the couple continues to work together and parent their two children. Separate ventures are in the cards as well, but the success of Flip or Flop means they are committed to continuing with filming for the time being.

20 Their Home Is On The Market For Nearly $3 Million

The home in Yorba Linda, California that the couple renovated at a cost of around $1.5 million, is on the market for $2.995 million. It is a beautiful home, comprising 6,366 square feet and was the couple’s dream home.

However, the couple is looking at a loss on the Mediterranean home. They purchased it in 2013 for $2 million and when you factor in the amount they have spent on renovations, it is likely to be an overall loss. The couple lived in the home with their children during their marriage and Christina stayed there after their divorce until she bought her own property.

19 Christina Thought Tarek Would Make An Irreversible Decision

According to The Hollywood Gossip, Christina and Tarek’s marriage came to a final crisis when police were called to their home because of a man who was wanted to kick his own bucket. That man turned out to be Tarek.

After Tarek ran off to a hiking trailer with an 'instrument,' a massive police operation, complete with a helicopter and several police cars, was deployed.

When they finally caught up with him, he claimed to have run off to release some steam. Their relationship never recovered after that particular incident.

18 Tarek Has Had Testosterone Injections

Page Six reported that after Tarek found out he had thyroid and testicular cancer, both the illness and treatment sent his hormones haywire. All of this reportedly contributed to the mental health issues that ended his marriage to Christina.

In an attempt to get his hormone levels back on track, he took steroids, thus skyrocketing his mental health issues by giving him depression, anxiety and sending his moods all over the place.

He was taking several other medications and the combination of them and the hormones gave him serious problems. All this went on while he was still attempting to work with Christina.

17 They Are Legally Prevented From Criticizing Each Other

Why fix something that isn't broken? Despite their divorce, the couple is hoping to continue working together. However, the production team on the show wanted to ensure that the bickering between the couple didn’t translate to the screen while they were filming.

Their contracts specify that they are not to criticize each other during the show. Although there are moments when they don’t agree design-wise, they will continue to try and have a good working relationship.

There are some awkward moments on the post-divorce shows when they are discussing dates, but any criticism of each other is a strict taboo.

16 Tarek May Appear on Christina’s New Show

Christina is very excited about her new show, Christina on the Coast, and the design input she will have on the new program. She says it will be more light-hearted and focus more on the design she loves rather than the building renovation that characterized the show with her husband.

A big draw for the show will be seeing how Christina is coping with life after Tarek and will no doubt include clips on her new life. She joked that Tarek may appear on the show too, and if her real-life scenarios are to be included, it seems likely that Tarek may make the odd appearance.

15 Will Tarek Get His Own Show Too?

Christina and Tarek were still appearing in Flip or Flop while Christina worked on her own show, Christina on the Coast. Reportedly, Tarek is angling for his own show too, keen to hang on to his fame and his place in the spotlight. Reports say that Tarek was very jealous of Christina’s new show and had entered discussions with HGTV to see where he could fit into the TV market.

According to Country Living, Tarek has been in talks about getting a new show of his own as well. If that happens, it isn’t clear whether Flip or Flop will continue. Having the first season after the divorce under their belts, it remains to be seen if it will go on.

14 They Both Had Health Issues

Although Tarek went through some serious health worries after being diagnosed with both testicular and thyroid cancer, he has fortunately pulled through both.

He also had a crippling back injury and for two years of his life was dealing with all these problems while continuing to work. His weight fluctuated and the medication he was prescribed had negative effects on his mental health. He even frequented outpatient rehab to deal with drinking and anger issues after an incident that precipitated their divorce.

Christina didn't have it either, having gone through postpartum depression following the birth of her second child, Brayden.

13 They Enjoy Working Together More Than Before

Both Christina and Tarek have done a huge amount of work on themselves mentally as a result of the divorce. They have had to. Both wanted a fresh start, and both want to be the best parents they can be.

Christina says that the dynamic has changed. Whereas, in the past, the couple may have backed down a little to accommodate each other’s choices, post-divorce they aren’t prepared to compromise so much. They hope that working together after the separation will show other couples that it is possible to remain friendly and cooperative for the sake of their children.

12 They Both Have Gorgeous New Homes

Since their divorce, both Christina and Tarek have bought separate homes and made two bases for their children. Tarek has bought a house in Costa Mesa for $2.8 million as a bachelor pad and a home for him to spend time with his children. He is very happy to have a fresh start and says the children love to turn the new house into a maze as they explore.

Christina meanwhile, has bought a house in Newport Beach, and the renovation she puts into her new home will be documented in the first episode of her new show. She paid $4.1 million for the home that she will renovate in her own style.

11 Christina’s New House As A Brand New Style

Her new home has plenty of space for renovations. The four-bedroom, four-bath home is 4,870 square feet. While Christina will want to stamp her style on the house, it is a very different home to the ornate, rather formal home she shared with Tarek.

Despite being on a grand scale, her new house is more relaxed in style. It has wooden floors and white walls with plenty of light and space. The kitchen is enormous, with an island as big as many people’s kitchens. It has a large pool and terrace that will no doubt come in handy for Christina’s two children.

10 The Split Was Not A PR Stunt

Tarek has commented on the fact that his divorce appeared to generate more column inches than he could ever have believed. It does seem that the publicity surrounding the El Moussa divorce was extreme, leading some to suspect it was a PR stunt to attract more viewers and make money for the show.

However, sadly, the divorce was very real. Tarek filed in December 2016 and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason. The couple had been experiencing difficulties for some time before the separation, seemingly precipitated by Tarek’s illness and subsequent erratic behavior. The strain of his illness and mood changes seem to have affected the relationship to the point of no return.

9 They Were Working On A Self-Help Book

It seems that Christina and Tarek had been working on a book aimed to help people solve their life problems before they divorced. The book was to be entitled Flip your Life, and its publication has been postponed, for how long is unclear. Perhaps it will never hit the shelves in the light of the problems the couple has been through.

According to USA Today, the publisher has put the book on indefinite hold as the circumstances of the authors are somewhat different than when the book was commissioned. It remains to be seen if the book ever surfaces, it seems unlikely that it would be a joint project if it does.

8 Tarek Has A YouTube Show To Help People Solve Problems

On New Years Day 2018, Tarek launched his own YouTube show, called the Pick Me Up Project, according to E Online. He is offering support and advice to people going through serious problems in their life.

These problems could be emotional, financial or health-related, Tarek has said he will aim to offer help to anyone and try to make them smile again. Tarek has plenty of experience from the last few years on how to come out of bleak situations while still smiling. He has been afflicted by serious health issues, financial problems and come through a divorce.

7 Tarek Is A Yoga Freak

Tarek has credited yoga with helping him to cope with the enormous mental upheaval he has been through. He is a devotee of Radiant Hot Yoga and has even considered becoming a yoga teacher and setting up his own studio. He asked fans to give their opinion on whether or not they would come to a class if he had a studio.

He credits Hot Yoga with getting him through his divorce and his illnesses and says it helps him to balance his mind, body, and soul, according to People. He sees it as a form of therapy that has helped him to remain calm and focused during stressful times.

6 Flip or Flop Fan Saves Tarek’s Life

During an episode of Flip or Flop, one viewer noticed a lump on Tarek’s neck, and thinking it was unusual, contacted the show’s producers. Tarek credits the fan with saving his life, as it turned out that the lump was thyroid cancer. He had previously had the lump checked out and was told it was benign, but it turned out to be cancerous.

Ryan Reid, a registered nurse was the fan that called into the show, and luckily the cancer was caught in time for Tarek to be successfully treated. Had it not been spotted when it was, the outcome could have been much worse.

5 They Had Financial Issues

For the multi-millionaire couple, life has not always been financially easy. Tarek was a realtor in his early twenties and went through the business during the crash of 2008. The couple worked in Southern California and were in the business of buying a home, renovating it and selling it for a profit. This saved them from living in rented accommodations with a roommate to help pay bills.

However, the business took a dive after the crash, and their financial security was saved by sending a videotape to an HGTV of their renovation work in 2011. This tape was the start of Flip or Flop, which has made them both super wealthy.

4 Christina Has A Gruelling Health Regime

Christina always looks great, but she works hard to achieve that body. She is a great fan of running and says that the exercise makes her feel great and look amazing. She says that running for half an hour each morning gives her the energy to deal with the day ahead, according to Healthy Celeb.

She eats organic food and keeps away from fatty and sugary foods and drinks. She keeps herself hydrated with water throughout the day and limits her caffeine intake. She keeps her meals colorful to ensure there are plenty of fruits and vegetables with every meal. She also eats small meals regularly.

3 They Made Real Money On The Houses They Flipped

Christina and Tarek are bonafide realtors and their business is very real. They choose the homes that they flip and buy them with their own money. This means that they have a real invested interest in the homes that they renovate and genuinely rely on making money at the end of the process.

Besides the money they make from their private enterprises, and from appearing on the show, their wealth source is the money they make and split from flipping properties on the show. They have made over $5 million in profits from the house sales and only lost money on one.

2 They Have a Yacht Named The Flip or Flop

During happier times, Christina and Tarek bought a luxury yacht and named it after their hit TV show. The yacht has two bedrooms and bathrooms, and Tarek revealed he still uses it for relaxation with friends. The freedom of being out on the ocean with nowhere particular to go gives him a sense of wellbeing and release from the stress of life.

The yacht is a 2015 50-foot Sea Ray Sundancer and can sleep up to eight people. The $1 million ride was a firm favorite of the couple during their marriage, they often posted pictures of themselves on the yacht on social media. Tarek revealed that the yacht has recently been renamed, Bad Decisions!

1 Having Children Wasn't Easy

After the couple had their daughter, Taylor, in 2010, they experienced difficult to have a much-wanted second child. Tarek had been diagnosed with and treated for cancer, so Christina underwent some grueling IVF treatment in order to get pregnant.

Tarek had treatment during his recovery from cancer that would have rendered him sterile, so IVF was the only option for a second pregnancy. Christina endured three rounds of the treatment and a miscarriage before the third attempt was successful, according to The Daily Mail. They were delighted to finally announce that Taylor would have a little sibling and Brayden was born in 2015.

References: The Daily Mail, Healthy Celeb, People, E Online, EU.USA Today