Julie Deborah Brown is an American social worker and nonprofit founder. She is best known as the founder of Room to Grow and the wife of documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.
Julie started Room to Grow in 1998, five years before marrying Ken in 2003. They have two daughters, Olivia and Willa. Ken said in 2017 that they had separated, but a legal divorce has not been clearly confirmed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Julie Deborah Brown |
| Birth year | 1966 (reported) |
| Age | About 60 in 2026 |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA (reported) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Social worker, nonprofit founder |
| Known for | Founder of Room to Grow |
| Education | University of Michigan, New York University |
| Husband | Ken Burns |
| Married | October 18, 2003 |
| Children | Olivia Burns and Willa Burns |
| Stepchildren | Sarah Burns and Lilly Burns |
| Father | Richard Brown |
| Mother | Leslie Mundjer Brown |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Who Is Julie Deborah Brown?
Julie Deborah Brown is a social worker and nonprofit founder.
She started Room to Grow in 1998. The organization helps families raising babies in low-income homes.
Julie is also known because of her marriage to Ken Burns. However, she had already started her own career and nonprofit before marrying him.
How Old Is Julie Deborah Brown?
Julie was reportedly born in 1966 in New York City.
This would make her about 60 years old in 2026.
Her exact birthday has not been publicly confirmed.
Her Parents and Early Life
Julie’s parents are Richard Brown and Leslie Mundjer Brown.
Her father reportedly worked as a senior vice president for investments and financial consultant at Smith Barney.
Julie reportedly grew up in New York. Little else is publicly known about her childhood or siblings.
Julie Deborah Brown’s Education
Julie attended the University of Michigan.
She reportedly studied Art History and earned a bachelor’s degree around 1988.
She later attended New York University (NYU) and reportedly earned a Master of Social Work degree.
Her Early Career
Julie reportedly worked at Christie’s, a well-known auction house in New York.
She worked in its Old Master Painting department.
After studying social work, she reportedly became a child therapist at the Karen Horney Clinic in New York City.
Her work with children and families came before she founded Room to Grow.
Julie Founded Room to Grow
Julie founded Room to Grow in 1998.
The nonprofit helps families who are raising babies with limited income.
It provides parents with baby and toddler items, parenting support, information about child development, and help finding useful community services.
Support can begin during pregnancy and continue through the child’s first three years.
Room to Grow started in New York City and later expanded to Boston.
Julie has also been described as the organization’s founder and Board President.
Who Is Ken Burns?
Ken Burns is an American documentary filmmaker.
He is known for documentaries about American history and culture. His well-known works include The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The Vietnam War, and Country Music.
Before Julie, Ken was married to filmmaker Amy Stechler. Ken and Amy had two daughters, Sarah and Lilly. Amy died in 2022.
Julie Deborah Brown and Ken Burns’ Marriage
Julie and Ken married on October 18, 2003.
Their wedding reportedly took place at their home in Walpole, New Hampshire.
Julie was reportedly 37 at the time, while Ken was 50.
Filmmaker Dayton Duncan, a longtime collaborator of Ken, reportedly officiated the wedding.
Julie and Ken Burns’ Children
Julie and Ken have two daughters together:
- Olivia Burns
- Willa Burns
Their exact birth dates are not clearly reported.
Julie is also the stepmother of Ken’s two older daughters, Sarah Burns and Lilly Burns, from his first marriage.
Olivia Burns
Olivia has sometimes appeared publicly with her parents.
In 2017, she attended the Room to Grow Spring Benefit in New York City with Julie.
Olivia has also reportedly met former U.S. President Barack Obama through her father’s connections.
Julie’s Public Appearances
Julie has attended several events for Room to Grow.
She and Ken attended the 2014 Room to Grow Gala in New York City. They also attended the organization’s 2016 Spring Benefit.
In 2017, Julie attended another Room to Grow benefit with her daughter Olivia.
Are Julie Deborah Brown and Ken Burns Still Together?
Ken said in a 2017 interview that he and Julie had separated.
The details of their separation have remained private.
Some sources call Julie Ken’s ex-wife, while others still list her as his wife. A legal divorce has not been clearly confirmed in the information reviewed.
Julie Deborah Brown’s Net Worth
Julie’s exact net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites estimate it at around $700,000 to $1 million, but there is no strong financial evidence supporting this amount.
It is better to treat these numbers as unconfirmed estimates.
Is Julie Deborah Brown on Social Media?
No widely verified public social media accounts for Julie were found in the information reviewed.
She keeps much of her personal life private and mainly appears publicly at events connected with Room to Grow.
What Is Julie Deborah Brown Doing Now?
Julie remains best known for her work with Room to Grow.
The organization she founded continues to support parents and young children.
Her exact current role in 2026 is not clearly confirmed. Julie also keeps her personal life mostly private.
Interesting Facts
- Julie Deborah Brown was reportedly born in 1966.
- She is from New York City.
- Her parents are Richard Brown and Leslie Mundjer Brown.
- She attended the University of Michigan.
- She later studied at New York University.
- She reportedly worked at Christie’s.
- She also worked as a child therapist.
- Julie founded Room to Grow in 1998.
- She married Ken Burns in 2003.
- They have two daughters, Olivia and Willa.
- Julie is the stepmother to Sarah and Lilly Burns.
- Ken said they had separated by 2017.
- Her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed.
- Julie keeps a low public profile.
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