diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
index c4263dde9178..a8ed808d4f31 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_text.py
@@ -653,3 +653,12 @@ def test_buffer_size(fig_test, fig_ref):
     ax = fig_ref.add_subplot()
     ax.set_yticks([0, 1])
     ax.set_yticklabels(["€", ""])
+
+
+def test_fontproperties_kwarg_precedence():
+    """Test that kwargs take precedence over fontproperties defaults."""
+    plt.figure()
+    text1 = plt.xlabel("value", fontproperties='Times New Roman', size=40.0)
+    text2 = plt.ylabel("counts", size=40.0, fontproperties='Times New Roman')
+    assert text1.get_size() == 40.0
+    assert text2.get_size() == 40.0
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/text.py b/lib/matplotlib/text.py
index 78fb5c57f7e2..2a8a708e7c18 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/text.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/text.py
@@ -174,8 +174,12 @@ def __init__(self,
 
     def update(self, kwargs):
         # docstring inherited
-        # Update bbox last, as it depends on font properties.
         sentinel = object()  # bbox can be None, so use another sentinel.
+        # Update fontproperties first, as it has lowest priority.
+        fontproperties = kwargs.pop("fontproperties", sentinel)
+        if fontproperties is not sentinel:
+            self.set_fontproperties(fontproperties)
+        # Update bbox last, as it depends on font properties.
         bbox = kwargs.pop("bbox", sentinel)
         super().update(kwargs)
         if bbox is not sentinel: