Paula Ann Hiers Deen, born on January 19, 1947, in Albany, Georgia, is an American chef, cookbook author, and television personality. She is best known for her Southern cooking style and her warm, welcoming public persona.

Her journey into the culinary world began later in life. After experiencing significant personal hardships, including the loss of her parents and a divorce from her first husband, Jimmy Deen, she found solace in cooking. She started a catering business called The Bag Lady, which eventually led to the opening of her first restaurant, The Lady & Sons, in Savannah, Georgia, with her sons Jamie and Bobby.

Her career took off when she began hosting cooking shows on the Food Network, including Paula's Home Cooking, Paula's Party, and Paula's Best Dishes. Her shows were immensely popular, and she became a household name. She has also authored fifteen cookbooks, sharing her love for Southern cuisine with a broader audience.

In addition to her television and publishing success, Paula Deen has expanded her culinary empire with several restaurants, including her Family Kitchen, which has multiple locations across the United States.

Her personal life has been marked by both triumphs and controversies. In 2004, she married Michael Groover, a tugboat captain, and their wedding was featured in a Food Network special. She has two sons from her previous marriage, Jamie and Bobby, who are also involved in the family business.

Throughout her career, Paula Deen has received numerous awards and honors. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Host in 2007 for her show Paula's Home Cooking.

She was also named the Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade in 2011 and was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2015.