It was a moment that lit up the internet and sparked a million questions. In January 2020, a video of the LSU Tigers celebrating their national championship victory with a spirited “Get the Gat” dance at the White House went viral. While the team’s energy was infectious, it was the unidentified blonde woman leading the dance who captured the public’s imagination. Who was she? How did she end up dancing with the team in the Oval Office? The answer, soon revealed, was Gemi Bordelon, a Louisiana businesswoman, wife of a former LSU football star, and a mother whose unexpected viral moment made her a figure of fascination across the country. Her story is a unique blend of family legacy, Southern charm, and an unforgettable brush with internet fame.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gemi Lynn Bordelon (née Gremillion) |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1975 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 51 years |
| Birthplace | Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Spouse | Ben Bordelon |
| Children | 3 (Brooke, Brett “Bo”, and one other son) |
| Known For | Viral White House “Get the Gat” video, LSU Football family ties |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $750,000 – $3 million (combined with spouse) |
A Louisiana Upbringing and Family Roots
Born and raised in the heart of Louisiana, Gemi Bordelon is deeply rooted in the culture and community of the Pelican State . Growing up in the South, she was immersed in a world where family, tradition, and a strong sense of community are the cornerstones of daily life. The values she learned in her formative years—resilience, loyalty, and a down-to-earth approach to life—would come to define her character and the life she would build.
Her identity as a Louisianan is central to her story. This is a region known for its passionate sports culture, particularly its fervent devotion to LSU football, and its emphasis on close-knit families and local business. This environment shaped Gemi into a woman who is both a proud supporter of her state and a pillar of her community. Before she was known to the internet, she was simply a Louisiana woman living a life centered around her husband, children, and the family business.
A Partnership Built on Football and Family
The centerpiece of Gemi Bordelon’s personal life is her marriage to Ben Bordelon, a man whose own story is intertwined with LSU football and Louisiana industry. Ben is a former LSU Tigers offensive lineman who played for the team during the mid-1990s, earning a second-team All-SEC honor in 1996 . He later played professionally for the San Diego Chargers in 1997, a career path that Gemi supported . In many ways, her marriage to a former player solidified her connection to the LSU community, making her a familiar face in the world of Louisiana athletics long before her viral moment.
Together, Gemi and Ben have built a life in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, where they have raised their three children . Their daughter, Brooke, and their two sons, including Brett “Bo” Bordelon who followed in his father’s footsteps to play for the LSU Tigers, form the core of her world . Gemi is described as a devoted and loving mother, a woman who has made family her top priority. While she and Ben maintain a relatively private life, their daughter’s social media has offered glimpses into their close-knit dynamic, often showing Gemi as a fun-loving and supportive mother . This strong family foundation is a key part of her identity, grounding her despite the whirlwind of public attention.
From the Field to the Boardroom: The Bordelon Legacy
Ben Bordelon’s professional journey is a testament to the family’s entrepreneurial spirit. After his football career, he transitioned from the gridiron to the corporate world, taking the helm of Bollinger Shipyards, a major Louisiana-based company. This shipbuilding and repair business, which builds and services vessels for the marine industry, is a family-run enterprise founded by his grandfather, Donald Bollinger . Gemi’s husband became the CEO and President, a position of significant responsibility within a company that is a cornerstone of Louisiana’s economy .
As the CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, Ben is a prominent figure in Louisiana’s business and political circles. This affiliation and the family’s connections to the state’s congressional delegation were directly responsible for Gemi’s presence at the White House, a detail that initially confused many viewers of the viral video . While Gemi’s own profession is listed as a businesswoman, she is deeply intertwined with the success of the family business and its vast community impact, making her a key partner in the Bordelon family’s enduring legacy in the region .
The Viral “Get the Gat” Video: A Moment of Fame
The moment that catapulted Gemi Bordelon into the public eye was the result of a perfect storm of sports, viral culture, and political ceremony. In January 2020, the LSU Tigers, fresh off their national championship victory over Clemson, were invited to the White House. During their visit, the team and their entourage filmed a video dancing to the rap song “Get the Gat” by Lil Elt . The video, posted on social media, quickly exploded with millions of views .
However, it wasn’t just the players that drew attention. In the video, a woman with a big smile and infectious energy led the dance, interacting with the players and celebrating the moment . Viewers were immediately curious about her identity, with social media buzzing with questions . It was her daughter, Brooke, who quickly identified her online, tweeting, “It would be my mother,” confirming she was Gemi Bordelon .
The public’s curiosity was understandable. The setting—the Oval Office—and the company—a major college football team—created an unusual context for a viral video. People wondered why a non-player was such a prominent figure in the celebration. The answer, as reported by local news, was her deep connection to Louisiana: the Bordelon family’s ties to the state’s congressional delegation had secured her invitation to the prestigious event . The image of her, a Louisiana businesswoman and mother, dancing joyfully with the LSU Tigers, cemented her place as a sudden, unexpected internet celebrity.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Estimating the personal net worth of a private individual like Gemi Bordelon is challenging, as public financial records are not available. However, public estimates generally place her net worth in the range of $750,000 to $3 million . It is important to contextualize this figure as being largely tied to the substantial financial success of the family business, Bollinger Shipyards, which is led by her husband, Ben Bordelon .
While her profession is described as a businesswoman, Gemi is not known to have a separate public-facing career or business independent of the family’s holdings . Her lifestyle is comfortable but is not defined by the ostentatious display of wealth often seen with viral fame . Instead, her financial status reflects a life of stability, built upon a successful family enterprise and investments in the state they call home. Her annual income is not publicly disclosed, but it is clear that her life is well-supported through the Bordelon family’s corporate success.
Social Media Presence and Public Interaction
Despite her sudden viral fame, Gemi Bordelon has chosen to maintain a remarkably low profile on social media. Unlike many who become internet sensations, she did not leverage her 15 minutes of fame to build a public brand. She and her husband are described as not being fans of social media, preferring instead a life that is more private and centered on their family and community .
This decision makes her even more intriguing to the public. Instead of curating her own online presence, Gemi’s life is most often viewed through the lens of her daughter, Brooke Bordelon’s, social media. Brooke occasionally shares snapshots of their family life, showcasing a close relationship with her mother, whom she has called her favorite dance partner and best friend . Through these controlled glimpses, the public sees Gemi as a supportive and fun-loving mother and grandmother, a woman who finds joy in simple moments with her family. This lack of direct public engagement has only preserved her mystique, framing her as an everyday person who had an extraordinary moment.
Recent Updates and Future Goals
Currently, Gemi Bordelon continues to lead her life away from the spotlight, residing in Louisiana and focusing on her family. There is no public information to suggest that she is seeking any new career ventures or projects based on her viral fame. Her focus appears to remain on supporting her husband’s leadership at Bollinger Shipyards and her children’s pursuits.
Her son, Brett “Bo” Bordelon, has followed in his father’s footsteps as an offensive lineman for the LSU Tigers, keeping the family deeply connected to the school and its football program . Her daughter, Brooke, has graduated from LSU and continues to live a life that occasionally shares glimpses of her family . For Gemi, the future likely holds more of what she has always valued: being a steady presence for her family and contributing to her community in the quiet, unassuming way she always has.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience and Family
Gemi Bordelon’s story is a modern, multifaceted tale. It is the story of a proud Louisianan who built a rich life around family, tradition, and community. It’s a story of being connected to one of the most successful college football programs in the nation and the prominent local industry it supports. And it is the story of a viral moment that introduced her to a global audience not through any grand ambition, but through a spontaneous act of joy in an unlikely setting.
Her legacy is not built on internet fame, but on the quiet strength and resilience that comes from a life well-lived. She is a wife, a mother, and a businesswoman whose identity is defined by her relationships and her values. Gemi chose not to be a celebrity for the sake of fame, a decision that speaks volumes about her character. She embraced the viral moment and then retreated back to the life she loved. As Gemi Bordelon continues to support her family and her community, her story remains a heartwarming reminder of how passion, loyalty, and a grounded sense of self can create a meaningful life, regardless of how many viral videos you appear in.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Gemi Bordelon?
Gemi Bordelon is a Louisiana-based businesswoman and the wife of Ben Bordelon, a former LSU and NFL player and current CEO of Bollinger Shipyards. She became a viral internet sensation after being featured in a “Get the Gat” dance video with the LSU Tigers at the White House in 2020 .
2. How did Gemi Bordelon become famous?
She became famous after a TikTok video of her dancing with the LSU football team during their 2020 White House visit went viral. The public was curious about her identity, which was later confirmed by her daughter, Brooke .
3. Who is Gemi Bordelon’s husband?
Her husband is Ben Bordelon. He was a former offensive lineman for the LSU Tigers and the San Diego Chargers. He is now the CEO and President of Bollinger Shipyards, a major family-owned shipbuilding company in Louisiana .
4. Does Gemi Bordelon have children?
Yes, she has three children: a daughter named Brooke and two sons, including Brett “Bo” Bordelon .
5. What is Gemi Bordelon’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is largely combined with her husband’s. Public estimates place it between $750,000 and $3 million, largely derived from the success of the family business, Bollinger Shipyards .
6. Where is Gemi Bordelon from?
She was born and raised in Louisiana, USA, and continues to live there with her family .
7. Why was Gemi Bordelon at the White House?
She was at the White House due to her family’s deep ties to Louisiana’s congressional delegation . Her husband’s position as CEO of Bollinger Shipyards places them among the state’s influential business and political families.
