Dr. Ellen Rucker Sellers is a remarkable woman whose story beautifully intertwines entrepreneurship, family, and advocacy. A Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, CEO, and Co-Founder of Rucker Roots, she has built a career rooted in health, beauty, and compassion. Known for her intelligence, determination, and warmth, Ellen has become an inspiring example for women who strive to balance professional ambition with personal purpose. Her name gained further recognition when she appeared on The Tamron Hall Show alongside her husband, Bakari Sellers, and their children to advocate for liver health awareness through the #LoveMyFamily campaign. Beyond her medical and entrepreneurial success, Ellen’s journey as a mother, wife, and advocate tells a powerful story of resilience, love, and hope. This article explores her early life, education, business journey, personal life, and ongoing mission to raise awareness for liver disease — offering a complete look into Ellen Rucker Sellers’s biography and her inspiring legacy.
Profile Summary: Ellen Rucker Sellers
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Ellen Rucker Sellers |
| Birthplace | Lancaster, South Carolina, USA |
| Date of Birth | Mid-1970s (Exact year not publicly disclosed) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, Entrepreneur, CEO & Co-Founder of Rucker Roots |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Father | Dr. Douglas Rucker (Dentist) |
| Mother | Ruby Rucker (Homemaker & Natural Haircare Enthusiast) |
| Siblings | Seven, including sister Ione Rucker Jamison |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Bakari Sellers (Attorney, Political Commentator, and Former South Carolina House Representative) |
| Ex-Husband | Vince Carter (Former NBA Player) |
| Children | Kai Michelle Carter, Stokely Sellers, and Sadie Sellers |
| Known For | Co-founding Rucker Roots & Advocating for Liver Health Awareness |
| Major Advocacy | American Liver Foundation & #LoveMyFamily Campaign |
| Residence | Charlotte, North Carolina, USA |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $2 – $5 Million |
| Notable TV Appearance | The Tamron Hall Show (2025, Liver Health Awareness Episode) |
| Social Media | @EllenRuckerSellers (Instagram) |
| Brand Philosophy | “Healthy Roots, Healthy Hair” |
Early Life and Family Background
Born and raised in Lancaster, South Carolina, Ellen Rucker Sellers grew up in a close-knit family that valued hard work, education, and faith. She was born in the mid-1970s to Dr. Douglas Rucker, a respected dentist, and Ruby Rucker, a homemaker known for her creativity and dedication to her children’s well-being. Ellen was one of eight siblings, including her sister Ione Rucker Jamison, with whom she would later co-found their successful haircare brand. The Rucker household was filled with love and learning, where each child was encouraged to pursue education and personal growth. Her father’s passion for farming and her mother’s innovative haircare practices would later serve as major inspirations in Ellen’s life. Ruby often used natural ingredients from their family garden — carrots, ginger, and turnips — to make homemade hair products for her children. This simple family tradition planted the seed for what would eventually become the Rucker Roots brand. Growing up in such an environment instilled in Ellen a sense of purpose, independence, and appreciation for natural beauty and health, shaping her journey as both a healer and businesswoman.
Education and Early Career
Ellen’s journey toward professional excellence began at Lancaster High School, where she stood out for her academic dedication and leadership qualities. After graduating, she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of the nation’s top universities, where she pursued higher education with a deep interest in science and human wellness. Her passion for health led her to become a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, combining her understanding of physical health with holistic healing. As a chiropractor, Ellen practiced in North Carolina and South Carolina, offering personalized care and building meaningful relationships with her patients. Her medical background provided her not only with technical expertise but also with a compassionate approach to well-being — something that would later influence her entrepreneurial and advocacy work. Through her early career in healthcare, Ellen learned that success is not just about financial gain but about improving lives, promoting confidence, and serving the community. This professional foundation became the cornerstone of her later ventures, merging wellness, natural care, and empowerment into one purpose-driven path.
Rucker Roots – Building a Natural Hair Empire
In 2015, Ellen and her sister Ione Rucker Jamison turned a family tradition into a thriving business by launching Rucker Roots, a natural haircare brand inspired by their mother’s homemade remedies. The idea came to life when Ione and her children moved in with Ellen and her daughter, Kai, after Ellen’s divorce. The sisters began experimenting in the kitchen, mixing fresh ingredients like carrots, turnips, and ginger — just like their mother used to — to care for their daughters’ hair. Their children encouraged them to turn this family ritual into a business, and thus, Rucker Roots was born. The brand’s philosophy, “Healthy Roots, Healthy Hair,” reflects Ellen’s belief in natural beauty and holistic wellness. Rucker Roots stands out for using vegetable root oils and natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals, empowering women — especially women of color — to embrace their natural hair texture. Over time, Rucker Roots has gained national recognition for its authenticity, sustainability, and effectiveness. Ellen’s transition from chiropractor to entrepreneur shows her adaptability, courage, and commitment to creating something meaningful. Today, Rucker Roots is a symbol of black women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment, blending family values, heritage, and innovation in every product.
Personal Life – From Vince Carter to Bakari Sellers
Ellen’s personal life has also been a journey of love, growth, and resilience. She was previously married to Vince Carter, the former NBA star and one of basketball’s most respected athletes. The two were high school sweethearts who married in July 2004. Their union brought forth their daughter, Kai Michelle Carter, born on June 1, 2005. Although their marriage ended in 2006, Ellen and Vince maintained a respectful relationship, focusing on raising their daughter with love and understanding. After the divorce, Ellen dedicated herself to motherhood and her chiropractic practice.
In 2008, she met Bakari Sellers, a young attorney and political commentator who would later become her husband. Their connection was instant and deep, and after several years of dating, they married on August 29, 2015. Together, they built a beautiful family and welcomed fraternal twins, Stokely and Sadie Sellers, on July 1, 2019. However, Ellen’s journey to motherhood wasn’t easy — she and Bakari struggled with infertility for years and turned to IVF treatment. During childbirth, Ellen nearly lost her life after experiencing a massive postpartum hemorrhage that caused her to lose 75% of her blood. Thankfully, through the efforts of her husband and her doctors, she recovered and shared her story to inspire other mothers. Today, the Sellers family lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Ellen continues to prioritize family, faith, and advocacy while managing her growing business.
Sadie’s Liver Journey and Health Advocacy
Ellen’s life took another profound turn when her daughter Sadie was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease, shortly after birth in January 2019. At just eight months old, Sadie underwent a life-saving liver transplant, a moment that forever changed the Sellers family. Through this emotional journey, Ellen and Bakari found their calling as advocates for liver health and organ donation awareness. In 2021, the Sellers family partnered with the American Liver Foundation (ALF), serving as co-chairs of its National Legacy Gala Honorary Committee. Their daughter Sadie became the National Liver Champion, inspiring families across America with her courage.
In March 2025, the Sellers family appeared on The Tamron Hall Show to share their story and promote the #LoveMyFamily campaign, encouraging people to register as organ donors and support liver research. Ellen spoke about the emotional toll of watching her child fight for her life and the importance of advancing medical care for pediatric liver diseases. “Sadie is a warrior,” Ellen said. “Through her, we’ve found our purpose in helping other families facing the same battle.” Their advocacy emphasizes compassion, awareness, and equitable access to healthcare. By combining their public platforms, Ellen and Bakari have become powerful voices for organ donation, ensuring that Sadie’s journey continues to save and inspire others.
Public Influence and Media Presence
Beyond her business and advocacy work, Dr. Ellen Rucker Sellers has become a respected public figure. Her appearances on national programs such as The Tamron Hall Show highlight her ability to connect with audiences through authenticity and grace. On social media, especially Instagram (@EllenRuckerSellers), she shares glimpses of her family life, motivational messages, and updates about her brand and advocacy. Ellen also collaborates with wellness and beauty brands, using her influence to promote health-conscious living and natural self-care. She frequently participates in speaking engagements focused on black motherhood, entrepreneurship, and women’s health, motivating others with her transparency and resilience. Her approachable personality and positive spirit have helped her build a strong online following, making her not only a successful businesswoman but also a relatable role model for women striving to find balance between family and career.
Net Worth and Achievements
As of 2025, Ellen Rucker Sellers’s estimated net worth ranges between $2 million and $5 million, a reflection of her diverse career achievements. Her wealth comes from multiple sources, including her successful Rucker Roots brand, her chiropractic practice, and various partnerships and media appearances. She has been honored for her contributions to the natural hair industry and her advocacy for health and family wellness. Ellen’s success story is not just about financial growth but about the positive impact she continues to make on her community. Her leadership, perseverance, and kindness have made her one of the most admired African-American female entrepreneurs of her generation.
Philanthropy and Community Work
Philanthropy is at the heart of Ellen’s identity. Her family’s work with the American Liver Foundation has helped raise awareness and funding for liver disease research. She and Bakari regularly participate in charity galas, community events, and educational programs focused on children’s health and organ donation. Ellen is also passionate about mentoring young black entrepreneurs and encouraging women to pursue careers in healthcare, science, and business. Through Rucker Roots, she supports local communities by promoting sustainable ingredients and ethical business practices. Ellen believes that success means giving back — a principle she continues to teach her children. Her dedication to philanthropy has transformed personal pain into public purpose, showing that compassion and community service can change lives.
Legacy and Inspiration
Ellen Rucker Sellers’s journey is one of grace, strength, and gratitude. From her humble beginnings in Lancaster, South Carolina, to her current role as a mother, doctor, entrepreneur, and advocate, she embodies the spirit of perseverance. Her life reminds us that success is not measured by wealth or fame but by the ability to turn challenges into opportunities to help others. Ellen’s mission goes beyond beauty and business; it’s about inspiring women to embrace their natural selves, prioritize health, and never give up on hope. As she continues to expand Rucker Roots and champion liver-health advocacy, her influence is only growing stronger. She stands as a role model for mothers, entrepreneurs, and advocates everywhere — a woman who turned her family’s trials into a legacy of love, strength, and change.
FAQs About Ellen Rucker Sellers
1. Who is Ellen Rucker Sellers?
Ellen Rucker Sellers is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Rucker Roots, a natural haircare brand. She is also known for her liver-health advocacy and her appearance on The Tamron Hall Show with her husband, Bakari Sellers, and their children.
2. What is Ellen Rucker Sellers known for?
She is best known for founding Rucker Roots, promoting natural haircare, and raising awareness for liver disease after her daughter Sadie’s liver transplant. Ellen combines her medical background with entrepreneurship and family advocacy.
3. Who is Ellen Rucker Sellers married to?
Ellen Rucker Sellers is married to Bakari Sellers, an attorney, author, and CNN political commentator. The couple married in 2015 and share twins, Sadie and Stokely Sellers.
4. Was Ellen Rucker Sellers married to Vince Carter?
Yes, Ellen was previously married to Vince Carter, the former NBA basketball player. They married in 2004, had one daughter, Kai Michelle Carter, and divorced in 2006.
5. What happened to Ellen Rucker Sellers’s daughter Sadie?
Sadie Sellers was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a rare liver disease, shortly after birth. She underwent a successful liver transplant at eight months old and now serves as the National Liver Champion for the American Liver Foundation.
6. What is Ellen Rucker Sellers’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Ellen Rucker Sellers’s estimated net worth ranges between $2 million and $5 million, earned through her medical career, Rucker Roots brand, and advocacy work.
More from Viralfeed: Viviana Volpicelli: The Inspiring Life Of A Fashion Icon And Wellness Influencer
