East was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to parents Ira and Joan Ann East. His father worked in real estate and his mother was a homemaker.[1] East grew up with three siblings; an older sister named Anne, an older brother named Ronald, and a twin sister named Jane.[1][2]
In 1987, East became involved in real estate development with his father. In February 2004, he moved back to Kansas City to take over his father's commercial real estate company.[3]
Jeff's first marriage was to Lori Gates. Though the marriage ended in divorce the couple had two children, Alexander Gates East (1984) and Madison Gates East (1987).
In 2014, East married for the third time, to Pascale Lambert East, and moved to Nice, France.[citation needed]