The Untold Struggles of Kody Brown from Sister Wives

Fans of “Sister Wives” are aware of Kody Brown’s difficult relationship with his sons, Garrison and Gabe, from his second wife, Janelle. The tension primarily stemmed from the sons’ feelings of neglect and perceived favoritism towards their half-siblings and Kody’s youngest wife, Robyn.

Janelle revealed on the show that the boys felt Kody spent most of his time at Robyn’s house, which contributed to their strained relationship. This perception became a point of contention within the family.

The situation escalated when Kody forgot Gabe’s 21st birthday in 2022. Gabe tested Kody by not bringing up the occasion during a phone call, only for Kody to later apologize for forgetting. Gabe expressed on camera, “That’s the last time I ever talked to my dad.”

In March 2024, Kody and Janelle Brown faced a devastating loss when their son Garrison tragically took his own life at the age of 25.

In an emotional shared statement on Instagram, the parents expressed their sorrow, stating, “He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him… His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives.” They requested privacy while honoring his memory.

Garrison’s appearance on “Sister Wives,” particularly during the final season filmed before his passing, highlighted the ongoing disputes with his father, stemming from Kody’s perceived favoritism and his strict COVID-19 policies.

In the aftermath of Garrison’s death, Kody reflected on the painful reality that he had been estranged from his son at the time of his passing. In an interview months later, he expressed regret over the strained relationship.

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Kody expressed his regrets about fatherhood, saying, “I wish I had made more time for my family,” according to People. He reminisced about enjoying simple moments like dining out and laughing with his children, particularly Garrison, and wished he could have experienced those moments more often.

Kody’s profound loss reshaped his perspective on life, making him focus on living in the moment and letting go of trivial worries. His main aspiration is to see his children find happiness and settle down, stating, “I wish for all my kids to marry and have families of their own, and I hope they find joy in those experiences.”

In the summer of 2013, Kody Brown faced a great personal tragedy when his younger brother, Curtis, passed away at the age of 34 in a motorcycle accident. Curtis, the youngest of seven siblings, was not only a gas and oil consultant but also had a talent for philosophy and poetry.

Kody honored Curtis on social media, calling him an “amazing man” who would be deeply missed. His first wife, Meri, also reached out to Curtis’ wife, Erica, with a comforting message, emphasizing that their love would last beyond this life.

Fans of “Sister Wives” might remember seeing Curtis on the show during the episode “Brown Boys Do Vegas,” where Kody, along with Curtis and his brothers, engaged in outdoor activities like riding motorcycles and having fun together.

Kody Brown, the star of a reality show that often faces skepticism about its authenticity, nearly faced jail time due to his polygamous practices, as revealed by his daughter Gwendlyn.

In a YouTube video, Gwendlyn recounted an incident where police showed up at their home in Utah, insisting they might take their father away to jail. She vividly remembered a police officer warning them about the potential consequences of their lifestyle.

After unsuccessfully challenging the polygamy laws in Utah, the family relocated to Arizona. Robyn Brown shared her feelings about Utah, saying, “A part of it will always be home, but it’s not a welcoming place for us.”

In the mid-2010s, Kody Brown and his third wife Christine faced a significant health scare with their daughter, Truely. When she was just three years old, she was hospitalized for 11 days due to kidney failure, a situation that was extremely alarming for the family. Thankfully, she recovered, but the experience left lasting emotional scars, as Christine later shared on Instagram, expressing that the trauma from that event still lingers.

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Truely’s Health Journey Remembered

Christine Brown / Instagram

In 2023, a notable discussion emerged regarding Truely Brown’s health, sparked by the discovery of two poignant drawings. In one, she was seen connected to a dialysis machine during hospitalization, while in the other, she radiated vitality as she excitedly prepped for a Disneyland trip. After her recovery, Truely’s family fulfilled the promise of a trip to celebrate her health milestone. Christine reflected on this significant moment in a post, saying, “That was the day she started to get better,” expressing gratitude for the visual reminders of her daughter’s recovery.

Ysabel’s Scoliosis Surgery

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Truely wasn’t the only child facing serious health challenges in Kody and Christine Brown’s family. In 2020, Ysabel underwent surgery for scoliosis. Although Christine was present to support her daughter during the five-day hospitalization, Kody chose to remain in Arizona, adhering strictly to his COVID-19 rules. This decision led to disappointment for Ysabel, especially after she learned that Kody attended a friend’s wedding shortly after her surgery. He later defended his actions during a “Sister Wives” episode, but both Ysabel and Christine expressed disappointment in his priorities, with Christine admitting to a decline in her respect for him.

Kody’s Challenging Childhood

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In a revealing podcast episode, Kody Brown’s brothers shared insights into their difficult upbringing in a polygamist setting in Wyoming. They described their father, Winn, as abusive both verbally and physically, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction that began in his own childhood. Despite their challenging past, Kody’s brothers have made efforts to break this cycle with their own children. Kody himself admitted to struggling with personal issues stemming from his upbringing, affecting his role as a father.

Christine’s Legal Action Against Kody

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In 2024, Kody Brown’s family dynamics took a new turn when he was sued by Christine, his ex-wife, regarding the custody of their daughter, Truely. Court documents revealed that she sought to establish Truely’s paternity, as Kody’s name was absent from her birth certificate. Additionally, Christine filed for child support and a domestic relations injunction aimed at preventing domestic violence and ensuring mutual decision-making for their child. Tensions escalated further after Christine relocated to Utah with Truely, claiming it was in the best interest of their daughter, a decision Kody contested.

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Us Weekly), “Christine believes that taking my daughter away from me is saving my bond with her, and that’s just a ridiculous excuse.”

Living a polygamous life often leads to financial strain, which has been the case for Kody Brown. With four wives and their children, Kody had to support a large family. Before becoming famous through TLC, managing their finances was a substantial challenge.

In 2005, Kody and his first wife, Meri, had to declare bankruptcy. At that point, Robyn hadn’t yet joined the family, but Christine and Janelle were there, and they already had a total of 12 children. Kody earned $4,000 a month as a sign shop worker, while Meri brought in $625 from her job as an engraver.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court revealed that the couple was financially struggling, with barely $10 to their name and harassed by debt collectors. They owed nearly $137,000 in mortgage payments, around $40,000 on credit cards, and roughly $8,000 to Home Depot, among other debts. Most of this debt was to be repaid after their case concluded in 2007.

After losing three wives within a 14-month span, Kody felt downcast, especially when two of his ex-wives decided to leave the family home in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Christine Brown was the first to depart, moving to Utah with their daughter Truely in 2021. This was followed by Janelle, who embraced a nomadic lifestyle between North Carolina and Flagstaff. In 2023, Meri also planned to relocate to Utah, which made Kody feel as though his ex-wives were deliberately trying to exclude him. “They understand that I have a strong fear of missing out with my family,” he expressed during the “Sister Wives” interviews (source: E!). “Their actions feel like punishment to me.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse or in crisis, please reach out to the appropriate resources below:

• Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or use their live chat.
• For immediate help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.