We all know Carrie Underwood — the country music superstar with hit songs like Before He Cheats and Jesus, Take the Wheel. She’s won awards, toured the world, and wowed millions of fans. But did you know she has two older sisters?
One of them is Shanna Underwood Means, and her life is very different from Carrie’s. While Carrie is in the spotlight, Shanna lives a peaceful life in Oklahoma as a teacher, wife, and mom. She doesn’t care for fame, and that’s what makes her story even more special.
In this article, we’ll get to know Shanna. We’ll talk about where she comes from, her family, her work, and the sweet bond she shares with her famous little sister.
Shanna Underwood Means Quick Bio
| Full Name | Shanna Glanell Underwood Means |
| Born | September 5, 1970 |
| Age (2026) | 55 years old |
| Birthplace | Checotah, Oklahoma, USA |
| Lives In | Kellyville, Oklahoma, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Carole and Stephen Underwood |
| Sisters | Carrie Underwood, Stephanie Shelton |
| Husband | Martin Means |
| Children | Cody, Breanna, Max Means |
| Job | Elementary school teacher |
| Teaching Since | 1995 |
| Net Worth | Around $450,000 |
| Known For | Carrie Underwood’s sister |
Early Life in Checotah, Oklahoma
Shanna grew up in a small town called Checotah, Oklahoma. It’s the same place where Carrie was born. Checotah is one of those towns where people know each other by name. Life there is simple, calm, and full of heart.
Her parents, Stephen and Carole Underwood, raised three daughters — Shanna, Stephanie, and Carrie. Stephen worked at a paper mill, and Carole was a schoolteacher. They didn’t have a flashy life, but they had strong values. They believed in hard work, kindness, and staying close as a family.
Shanna was the oldest of the three girls. She spent her early years playing in the Oklahoma sun, helping her mom around the house, and going to school like every small-town kid. She was already a teenager when Carrie was born, but that big age gap never stopped the sisters from being close.
The Underwood Family and Their Strong Bond
The Underwoods are a very close and loving family. Stephen and Carole have been married for over 55 years, and they built a home filled with love and laughter. They raised their daughters to be kind, strong, and honest.
Shanna is the oldest. Stephanie came next. Then in 1983, baby Carrie was born. Because Shanna and Stephanie were already growing up fast, Carrie sometimes felt like an only child. But that didn’t stop them from making memories together.
Carrie has often called her family her biggest support system. She jokes that she’s the “black-crystal sheep” of the family because she’s the only one who didn’t become a teacher. Even though their paths are different, Carrie always speaks with pride about her sisters.
Shanna Underwood Means and Her Education Journey
Like most kids in Checotah, Shanna went to the local public school. After finishing high school, she attended Connors State College, a small college in Oklahoma that helps students get a solid start.
Later, she transferred to Arkansas Tech University to finish her degree. Teaching was always in her heart — maybe because her mom, Carole, had been a teacher for so many years. It felt natural for Shanna to follow the same path.
She worked hard in college and knew exactly what she wanted to do: help kids learn, grow, and dream big. That goal stayed with her as she stepped into the classroom for the very first time.
A Look at Shanna’s Teaching Career
Shanna began her teaching career in 1995. She started at Checotah Public Schools, the same town where she grew up. For five years, she taught young children there and quickly became known as a kind and patient teacher.
In 2000, she moved to Liberty Public Schools in Mounds, Oklahoma, just a short drive from Checotah. She’s still teaching there today — more than 25 years later! That kind of dedication says a lot about who Shanna is.
She teaches elementary students, the little ones who are just starting to learn about the world. And she loves it. She’s not in it for money or praise. She simply loves helping kids. Carrie has said many times that she looks up to her sisters for choosing such a meaningful job.
Carrie Underwood’s Sister Lives a Simple, Private Life
While Carrie walks red carpets and performs on giant stages, Shanna lives a very private life. She’s not on Instagram or Twitter. She doesn’t go to celebrity parties. She doesn’t want to be famous.
In fact, after Carrie won American Idol in 2005, Shanna had to change her phone number multiple times to protect her privacy. She didn’t want strangers calling or reporters asking questions. She just wanted peace.
She lives quietly with her family in Kellyville, Oklahoma, a small town not far from where she grew up. She spends her time at school, with her husband and kids, and maybe out in the yard enjoying the fresh air.
Shanna Underwood Means and Her Family Life
Shanna is married to Martin Means, a local businessman in Oklahoma. The two of them built a quiet and happy life together. They’ve raised three children — Cody, Breanna, and Max Means — and kept them away from the noise of fame.
Their home is full of love, not cameras. Her kids live private lives too, and that’s exactly how Shanna likes it. She wants them to enjoy a normal life — going to school, playing sports, and having dinner together as a family.
She’s proud of being a mom and takes care of her family with heart and care. Even though her sister is famous, Shanna never wanted that life. Her version of success is being a good wife, a great mom, and a wonderful teacher.
The Sweet Sister Bond Between Shanna and Carrie
Even with a big age gap, Shanna Underwood Means and Carrie Underwood share a deep and loving bond. Shanna is 13 years older, but that never created distance between them. Instead, it helped shape their special relationship.
When Carrie was little, Shanna was already a teenager. She and their other sister, Stephanie, often looked after young Carrie. Carrie has shared many times that she looked up to her sisters. To her, they were cool, confident, and full of fun.
That sister bond never faded. Even today, Shanna Underwood Means remains one of Carrie’s strongest supporters. She doesn’t need the spotlight to show her love. She supports Carrie quietly, in the background, in a way that only family can.
How Shanna Underwood Means Shaped Carrie’s Childhood
Carrie often laughs when she talks about her childhood with her sisters. She once said Shanna and Stephanie treated her like a “human Barbie doll.” They dressed her up, played with her hair, and tried different makeup styles.
Those fun moments mattered more than they seemed at the time. Carrie says that’s where her love for makeup and fashion began. Watching her older sisters get ready made a big impression on her.
Music was another big influence. Shanna and Stephanie controlled the radio at home. Carrie listened to whatever they played. That’s how a three-year-old Carrie ended up singing rock songs like Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room. Shanna Underwood Means helped shape the star before the world ever saw her.
Big Moments Shanna Shared With Carrie Underwood
Shanna has been there for many of Carrie’s biggest life moments. When Carrie won American Idol in 2005, Shanna was right there with the family. She watched her little sister’s dream come true.
Years later, in 2018, Shanna traveled with the family to Los Angeles. She stood proudly as Carrie received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Carrie was even pregnant at the time, making the moment extra emotional for everyone.
Shanna doesn’t attend every public event. But when something truly matters, she shows up. That says a lot about the quiet support Shanna Underwood Means gives her famous sister.
The Tattoo Memory That Shows Their Love
One of the most touching family moments happened in Las Vegas in 2023. Carrie was performing her residency show when something unexpected happened. Their mom, Carole, suggested they all get matching tattoos.
Yes, even mom joined in. The sisters laughed, but they did it. Shanna Underwood Means, Stephanie, and their mom got small heart tattoos on their wrists. Carrie chose to get hers on her foot.
It was a simple heart, but it meant so much. Carrie later shared the moment online, saying she never thought she’d see her mom get a tattoo. This small memory showed how close and loving the Underwood women truly are.
Carrie Underwood’s Public Love for Her Sister
Carrie Underwood has always spoken kindly and proudly about her sisters. In 2009, she honored Shanna and Stephanie during a Teachers Count campaign. Carrie used her voice to praise teachers and showed real respect for her family.
She once said that teaching runs in her family. Her mom taught for many years. Both sisters became teachers too. Carrie joked that she was the only one who didn’t follow that path.
In 2018, when Oklahoma teachers went on strike, Carrie supported them publicly. That support included her sister, Shanna Underwood Means, and all the hardworking teachers standing up for their schools.
Why Shanna Underwood Means Inspires in Her Own Way
Shanna Underwood Means proves that success doesn’t always come with fame. She chose a life of purpose, not popularity. She chose classrooms over stages and family dinners over red carpets.
She has helped hundreds of children learn, grow, and believe in themselves. That kind of work lasts a lifetime. It’s quiet, but it matters deeply.
While Carrie shines on stage, Shanna shines in everyday life. She is a reminder that heroes don’t always hold microphones. Sometimes, they hold books, lesson plans, and loving hearts.
Final Thoughts
Shanna Underwood Means may be known as Carrie Underwood’s sister, but her life stands strong on its own. She is a teacher, a mother, a wife, and a quiet role model.
Her story shows that you don’t need fame to matter. You just need heart, purpose, and love for the people around you. In 2026, her life still reflects those values.
Behind every star is a family that shaped them. And behind Carrie Underwood’s success is a big sister who chose peace over popularity — Shanna Underwood Means.
(FAQs)
How much money does Shanna Underwood Means have?
She has around $450,000 in 2026. She made this money by working as a school teacher for many years, not from fame.
How old is Shanna Underwood Means now?
She was born on September 5, 1970. That means she is 55 years old in 2026.
Where does Shanna Underwood Means live today?
She lives in a small, quiet town called Kellyville, Oklahoma. She stays far from the spotlight.
Does Shanna live like her famous sister Carrie?
Shanna lives a very simple and private life. She doesn’t want fame or attention.
Why did Shanna choose a quiet life?
She loves teaching, family, and peace. She didn’t want to be famous — she wanted to help others in her own way.
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