Kristine Barnett, once hailed as a devoted mother and autism advocate, became the center of one of America’s most baffling family controversies. Best known for her 2013 memoir The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing, Genius, and Autism, Kristine rose to national prominence for claiming her son Jacob had an IQ higher than Einstein’s. But her public image took a dramatic turn after the case involving her adopted Ukrainian daughter, Natalia Grace, sparked global headlines. As of 2025, Kristine Barnett’s estimated net worth is around $500,000, largely based on book sales, speaking engagements, and prior media appearances.
From Acclaimed Author to Infamous Allegations
Kristine was living in Indiana with her husband Michael Barnett and their three biological sons when they adopted Natalia Grace in 2010. Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism called Diastrophic dysplasia, was believed to be 6 or 7 years old at the time of adoption. However, Kristine and Michael soon claimed that Natalia was not a child at all, but a 22-year-old adult posing as a child. They alleged she had made multiple threats against them and their children, and even accused her of attempting to kill Kristine.
The couple went as far as to legally change Natalia’s age from 8 to 22 in 2012, a decision Kristine claimed was based on the advice of law enforcement and doctors. A year later, they left Natalia in a Lafayette, Indiana apartment and moved their family to Canada. In 2019, the Barnetts were charged with multiple counts of neglecting a dependent, leading to national scrutiny and renewed speculation about Natalia’s true age and mental state.
Legal Fallout and Acquittal
Kristine and Michael maintained that they believed Natalia was an adult. In 2022, a jury found Michael Barnett not guilty, and in 2023, all charges against Kristine were dropped. Still, the damage to Kristine’s reputation had already been done. Public opinion remains deeply divided, with some sympathizing with her account and others believing Natalia’s story of neglect and abuse.
A 2024 DNA test conducted during the ID docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks concluded that Natalia was indeed approximately 22 years old, suggesting that she was a 7-year-old child at the time of adoption—not an adult, as the Barnetts had claimed.
Life After the Trial: Kristine’s Response and Media Comeback
Since her acquittal, Kristine Barnett, now 51 years old, has remained publicly vocal about her innocence. In multiple Facebook posts, she has denied all accusations of abuse, stating that “Natalia was a very much loved and cared for member of my family.” Kristine alleged that if any real abuse had taken place, she would have been convicted, reinforcing her belief that the justice system worked in her favor.
Despite Natalia’s on-camera testimony claiming physical abuse—pepper spray incidents and being hit with a belt—Kristine did not appear in the docuseries but called the claims “just plain false.” In a 2024 Facebook post, she described Natalia as a “sociopath” who manipulated others for sympathy. She also denied her ex-husband Michael’s characterization of her as controlling and abusive, calling him a liar and accusing him of deflecting blame.
Media Resurgence and a New Memoir
The bizarre case has captivated public imagination once again with Hulu’s 2025 dramatized limited series Good American Family. The show stars Ellen Pompeo as Kristine, Mark Duplass as Michael, and Imogen Faith Reid as Natalia. The Hulu series and the ID documentary have reignited interest in the Barnett family saga, prompting Kristine to release a new memoir in March 2024, titled Witch Hunt: The Kristine Barnett Story.
On her public Facebook page, she promotes the book and brands herself as an “Author, Loving Mother, Advocate for Children With Disabilities, Writer, & Activist.” She has doubled down on her version of events, suggesting she has been unfairly targeted by media narratives and online bullying.
Personal Life and Financial Status
Kristine has kept a relatively low profile outside of her online statements. After divorcing Michael in 2014, she has focused on defending her reputation and advocating for her sons. Her eldest son Jacob Barnett, once described as a physics prodigy, continues to live a private life. Much of Kristine’s early wealth stemmed from book deals, speaking engagements, and media appearances tied to Jacob’s story and her work with autistic children.
However, legal fees, loss of public trust, and withdrawal from mainstream platforms have significantly impacted her finances. As of 2025, Kristine Barnett’s net worth is estimated at $500,000, primarily from royalties, residual sales of The Spark, and the anticipated performance of her new book Witch Hunt.
Although she once lived a comfortable life in Indiana’s middle-class suburbs, the fallout from the Natalia Grace case has altered her public standing and financial position. She does not appear to be involved in any new television ventures or high-profile business projects beyond her memoir and advocacy work.
Ongoing Public Debate
Despite the DNA results confirming that Natalia was indeed a minor during her time with the Barnetts, Kristine insists that there’s more to the story. She has labeled the renewed interest in Natalia’s case as “performative,” accusing the public of pretending to care while using the situation to vilify her.
In one of her May 2024 Facebook posts, Kristine stated, “You only wanted to bully a mother,” referring to those engaging in the discussion online. The post sparked further division, with some defending Kristine’s stance and others pointing out the psychological trauma Natalia reportedly endured.
Final Thoughts
Kristine Barnett’s net worth in 2025 may stand at around $500,000, but her true currency now lies in public perception. With one memoir behind her and another released in the wake of renewed media attention, she remains a controversial figure caught between the roles of victim and alleged abuser. As Good American Family brings the saga to dramatized life and Natalia Grace continues to share her version of events, the world’s fascination with the Barnetts shows no sign of fading.