Sister Wives’Janelle BrownandKody Brownentered a spiritual marriage in 1993, with Janelle becoming Kody’s second wife in their polygamous family, and it’s time to talk about Janelle’s issues with her ex. Their relationship was uniquely complex, as they were step-siblings before marrying, due to Janelle’s mother being married to Kody’s father. Together, they had six children and navigated the challenges of plural marriage, which Janelle initially embraced despite her monogamous upbringing. Kody’s strained relationships with their children grew strained, and he favored his fourth wife, Robyn Brown. Janelle’s pragmatism clashed with Kody’s desire for patriarchal control.
Things got worse between Kody and Janelle after Kody’s third wife, Christine Brown, left the plural family in 2021. In December 2022,Janelle and Kody announced their separation, with Janelle citing Kody’s neglect of their children and financial disputes as key reasons. TheSister Wivesseason 19star doesn’t consider herself divorced, as their union was never legal, preferring to think of herself as just single. The tragic loss of their son, Garrison Brown, in March 2024 briefly united them in grief, but Janelle remains focused on her independence, expressing no interest in ever getting married again.
Janelle Accused Kody Of Being A Villain To Protect Robyn
“The Gospel According To Janelle”
During the recentSister Wivesseason 19 Tell-All special, Janelle got really honest about the ending of her marriage. At one point, she shared her theory that Kody leaned into being a villain in order to protect Robyn. She said that he behaved in a way that was meaner than he’d ever beenso that he could draw everyone’s fire away from Robyn. Essentially, Janelle argued that Kody sacrificed himself to protect his favorite wife. She made it clear that it was just her theory, referring to it as “The Gospel according to Janelle.”
Is Janelle Friends With Kody & Robyn?
“I Just Don’t Like ‘Em”
When asked if she could ever be friends with Kody and Robyn, Janelle didn’t equivocate. TheSister Wivesseason 19 star made it clear that though she can be friendly enough with Kody, shehas no interest in pursuing any kind of relationship with either of her former family members. In case it wasn’t clear enough, Janelle went on to say “I just don’t like ‘em.”
Janelle hasn’t cut off the entire Brown family. Since leaving Kody,Janelle and Christine have grown closer, their bond rooted in their shared experiences as formerSister Wives. Their friendship deepened through mutual support during their separations, with frequent visits and public appearances together. Janelle admires Christine’s independence, while Christine values Janelle’s pragmatic approach. Though they live far away from each other, Janelle and Christine haveleaned on one another for emotional support, celebrating their newfound freedom and co-parenting challenges.
Where Does Kody Stand With His Other Ex-Wives?
They Can’t All Be His “Favorite”
Kody is in a good place with his former first wife, Meri Brown, who left him in 2022. DuringSister Wivesseason 19, it was revealed thathe often refers to Meri as his “favorite ex-wife,”which irked his other exes, Janelle and Christine. Janelle expressed frustration, feeling the label diminished her own history with Kody. Christine, now happily remarried to David Woolley, dismissed it asKody’s attempt to “rewrite history”. While Kody’s relationship with Meri is in a good place, his relationships with Janelle and Christine remain strained post-Sister Wivesseason 19.
53
1990
2022
1
55
1993
6 (1 deceased)
52
1994
2021
6
45
2010
–
5 (3 from previous marriage)
Sister Wivesseason 19 airs on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.
