Born in 1986, into a troubled family in West Texas USA, Susan Farmer spent most of her life in the shadows of a home which she barely ever left, staying there with her mother who would constantly bring her food. Living without exercise for her entire childhood and adolescence on a rather unhealthy diet, her weight became a very worrying factor over many years of physical inactivity.

Susan began moving again somewhat, after reaching the limelight at the age of 37 in 2013, when she was discovered by the producers of TLC’s “My 600-lb Life”, and promptly invited into the show, as she weighed a staggering 607lbs (275kgs) at the time.

She was featured in the third season of the series, and like any other participants in the show, had to face the reality of her situation before anything was done to improve it. In Susan’s case, these moments of self-awareness would often come with great hostility towards the situation, which made her quite excitable throughout her time in the show.

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An unconventional franchise

“My 600-lb Life” is a reality TV series that has been airing on the TLC network since 2012, following the lives of morbidly obese individuals, as they attempt to lose weight and achieve a healthier lifestyle. The show has become a popular hit among viewers, with its dramatic stories of weight loss struggles, both triumphs and failures. It was created by Jeff VanVonderen, a well-known interventionist, who previously worked on the hit show “Intervention.”

The series’ premise is simple: each episode focuses on a person who weighs at least 600lbs (272kgs) at the beginning of the episode, and follows their progress as they attempt to lose weight over the course of a year.

The show documents the individuals’ daily struggles, including their emotional and physical journeys, as they work towards their weight goal. It’s generally an emotional rollercoaster for both the audience and the participants, with both successes and setbacks along the way.

“My 600-lb Life” has been a successful series for TLC, with over 100 episodes to date, and has spawned several spin-off shows, including “Where Are They Now?” and “My 600-lb Life: Skin Tight.” The franchise has garnered a large following thanks to being praised for its portrayal of obesity, and the dangers and struggles that come with it.

Of course, the series has also had its share of criticism and controversy, as not everyone is so sure that they showcase morbidly obese people only with the purest of intentions. Some viewers have criticized the show for its perceived exploitation of the participants, and have accused it of sensationalizing obesity for the sake of ratings.

Others have raised concerns about the show’s approach to weight loss, arguing that it promotes unhealthy and unsustainable practices. There is also the fact that, more often than not, the participants simply end up undergoing rather costly medical procedures to finally solve a major part of their weight issue, which isn’t a luxury that most viewers with similar stories can afford.

Despite these issues, “My 600-lb Life” has remained a popular and influential show, inspiring many people to take control of their own health, and make positive changes in their lives throughout its 11 years of airing thus far. It has also helped to raise awareness about the dangers of obesity, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

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One of the most popular success stories from the show is Milla Clark, who starred in the fourth season from an unbelievable 750lbs (340kgs). Although not many viewers believed that much could be done for Milla, since it’s a miracle she even survived long enough to weigh that much, she managed to lose over 445lbs (200kgs).

Yet another is Sarah Neeley, who began her weight loss journey at a peak weight of over 640lbs (291kgs), and faced numerous obstacles along the way, including struggles with mental health and addiction. However, with the help of Dr. Younan ‘Now’ Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon who features prominently in the show, she was able to lose over 400lbs, and has since become an advocate for both weight loss and mental health.

At the end of the day, “My 600-lb Life” has become a cultural phenomenon that has definitely helped shed light on the difficulties faced by those who struggle with obesity. While it hasn’t been without its controversies, the show has inspired countless viewers to make positive changes in their lives, providing a platform for important discussions about health, wellness, and body positivity.

Susan’s 607-lb life

Susan Farmer’s episode starts with shots of her modest home in Eddy, Texas, in which she appears to not even be able to get out of bed without serious effort. Her opening statement is that ‘It’s a lot harder to change than you ever realize. You just have to hope it’s not too late, and try as hard as you can to do it.’

After finally placing her feet on the ground in front of the bed, following numerous failed attempts at swinging her bottom half over towards the floor, Susan stated ‘Life is miserable. I hurt all the time, ‘cause I don’t get up much.’

She proceeded to explain that carrying all that weight around poses quite a few challenges, asserting ‘With me having this big stomach, it falls on me so bad, and it feels like my skin is on fire, and that it’s just gonna melt.’

While this certainly must be excruciating to handle on a day-to-day basis, it’s also factual that the average adult human’s skin and bones aren’t built for supporting weight seven times greater than the healthy average. As Susan’s skin was spreading to the point of almost bursting whenever she took a walk, performing even the most ordinary actions around her home proved to be a horrifying endeavor.

She also said ‘I have trouble breathing, especially when I’m walking. I have to take baby steps because I’m afraid of falling, ‘cause if I fell, there’s nothing anybody can do for me.’ This admission refers to the fact that it takes an incredible amount of strength to keep yourself up at that weight, while there are also other factors, such as weight-induced health conditions.

One of the better-known issues of overly large individuals is called obesity hypoventilation syndrome. It’s a breathing disorder that occurs in those who have difficulty breathing deeply and rapidly enough to supply sufficient oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from their bodies, potentially causing serious consequences when unattended.

It’s estimated that around 10% to 20% of obese adults will develop this condition, with its long-term effects having the capability for devastating results. Essentially, a person with breathing difficulties finds it hard to supplement the CO2 in their blood with oxygen, which over time poisons the internal organs. Eventually, this leads to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and ultimately death.

On top of that, even without particular health conditions, Susan’s muscles require an immense amount of blood supply just to keep her in motion, which in and of itself causes her to be out of breath most of the time. Lastly, proper blood flow is made a lot harder to maintain by the excess buildup of fat around her heart.

The camera crew follows her to the bathroom, in what can only be described as an act of great bravery by Susan herself, while the audience was simply left stumped. Farmer begins to fully undress herself in front of the camera and proceed to take a bath, with everything but her privates on full display for the world to see.

This sequence is followed by Susan saying ‘I don’t like looking at myself. So, I don’t look at myself in the mirror. To me, I’m fat and ugly.’ A shocking scene then takes place, in which Susan is seen entering a disproportionately small bathtub, with her belly fat hanging between her legs and bulging downwards from the pressure of her overgrown thighs, thus forming a ball right underneath her crotch.

It becomes evident upon witnessing this that even something as simple as washing oneself is a true ordeal for Susan, who with great fear and sorrow looked into the camera lens and said ‘All I see is a fat glob,’ as tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to sniffle.

That was the condition in which Susan entered the series, with not many believing that she could ever accomplish a significant change in weight, as most people would’ve given up on life by that point. However, this didn’t end up being the case for Susan, who was actually determined to show the world and herself that change is indeed possible.

As tends to be done in some of the most severe cases of obesity, Farmer had to skip any nutrition plans meant to gradually induce weight loss, as her health was already being severely impaired by her condition. Therefore, instead of counseling, she was immediately sent to the aforementioned bariatric professional, so as to undergo gastric bypass surgery.

Bariatric surgeons such as Dr. Now specialize in removing excess weight from a person, by either straight up cutting it out of them, or performing other gastrointestinal modifications that would encourage weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery is one such procedure, in which the stomach and small intestine are modified so as to prevent massive calorie absorption. The stomach is split into two parts – the smaller pouch on top, and the larger one on the bottom, whereby the upper is connected to the rerouted small intestine, pretty much cutting off about 60% of the digestive system.

In this way, the patient is made to feel full much sooner than they normally would, which makes them want to eat a lot less. However, because this process causes initial damage to the gastrointestinal system, Susan had to follow a very specific diet, so as to avoid damaging her insides by stretching the stomach too far, which could reopen the surgery wound.

Following a successful surgery, intertwined with strict obedience to the doctor’s advice in regards to what she can eat, and what kind of exercise she must engage in, Susan managed to drop a significant 200lbs (90kgs). However, she was only half-way done with her transformation at that time.

With her stomach feeling full a lot sooner, and seeing the impressive results of her previous efforts, Farmer managed to lose another full 200lbs (90kgs) throughout the remainder of the year during which she was filmed, eventually also having surgery to remove the excess skin and fatty tissue, dropping another 46lbs (21kgs).

Having lost 446lbs (202kgs), Susan went from weighing 607lbs (275kgs) to only 161lbs (73kgs) – a rather unexpected weight that no one thought achievable for her. She ultimately left the show a happy and satisfied woman, and reportedly also managed to keep her weight down throughout 2022.

Why was she acting like a toddler?

In spite of her awe-inspiring achievement in the series, fans were quick to notice that Susan was behaving in an unbecoming manner towards the series’ crew, her mother, and others who were trying to help her. These emotional outbursts seemingly came out of nowhere, especially in situations where she had to give up an old habit.

While it can’t be excused that a 37-year-old woman behaves like a spoiled child, it’s understandable that someone going through such extreme changes will do and say things they never have before.

My 600-lb Life's Susan Farmer Tries on Jeans for First Time in Decades After Losing 400… https://t.co/8diCTC38Gd pic.twitter.com/wCHC0xTAWt

— Actor Headshots NYC (@ActorHeadshot) April 20, 2016

More importantly, however, it’s much more likely that the reason for Farmer’s lack of appropriate behavior and respect for those around her simply comes from the fact that she had no respect for her own self for a very long time, and some of the reality pills were too hard to swallow early on.

Whatever the reason may be for how she acted, it’s undeniable that she’s now in a much better place, and along with a greatly improved life, it’s widely believed that her behavior is much more acceptable as well, at least in early 2023. Until some sort of media coverage is released to confirm or deny this assumption, series’ fans can only speculate as to whether Susan has improved in this field. Her significant increase in self-respect should really help this situation.

Kody Brown and his ex-wife Janelle Brown became famous upon the airing of “Sister Wives”, an American reality TV series that premiered on TLC on September 26, 2010. The show follows the life of a polygamist family headed by Kody Brown, who had four wives named Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn, as well as their 18 children.

Janelle and Kody married in 1993, way before their series was even conceived. At the time of its beginning, they were already a veteran couple with an evident abundance of history between them. Despite going through so much together, however, the two split up near the end of 2022.

The fans, of course, anxiously waited for the explanation of what exactly happened between them, and while bits and pieces of information were drip-fed throughout the show, a more definite answer has remained elusive.

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The history of a polygamous show

The series was initially filmed in Lehi, Utah, before the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2011, and later to Flagstaff, Arizona, in 2018. Its primary goal is to showcase the complex nature of plural marriage, and the challenges that come with it.

The first episode of “Sister Wives” aired in 2010 and featured the Brown family’s daily life, with the wives juggling their roles as mothers and wives while living together in a large home. The series also explores how the family deals with prejudice and indignation from society due to their unconventional lifestyle.

“Sister Wives” has undergone a gradual and significant transformation over its 13 years of running. While the early seasons showcased a loving dynamic between the family members, recent ones have focused on the tension and drama between them. As the series progressed, Kody’s relationships with his wives have become increasingly strained, with several of them feeling neglected and unimportant.

Despite, or maybe because of these issues, “Sister Wives” has remained a popular TV series with 17 seasons in the running. TLC continues to produce new episodes, with the most recent season premiering in September 2022. In addition to the show’s regular releases, the network has also produced a number of spin-off specials and episodes, exploring various aspects of the Brown family’s lives, such as “Meri – Behind the Scenes.”

The show has been both praised and criticized for its portrayal of plural marriage. Supporters argue that it offers a unique insight into a lifestyle that is often misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. However, opponents claim that the show glorifies a practice that is harmful to women and children and reinforces gender inequality. The main opponent of the series itself, however, is the government of their country.

Evading the law

Polygamy, or having more than one spouse at the same time, is illegal in all 50 of the United States. The practice was first outlawed in the mid-19th century, in response to concerns about its potential impact on society. Today, it’s considered a felony offense in most states, and is theoretically punishable by imprisonment and fines.

One of the primary concerns regarding this practice is the potential for exploitation, particularly of women and children. In polygamous relationships, women may be pressured or forced into marrying at a young age and may not have the same legal rights as their husbands; children may also be at risk of neglect or abuse in large, complex families, and note that multiple husbands are almost unheard of .

Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of polygamy on society as a whole. Such relationships can be highly insular, with limited contact with the outside world. This can make it difficult for children raised in such families to integrate into mainstream society and eventually lead to the formation of isolated, potentially extremist communities.

So, how did the cast of “Sister Wives” manage to end up in an entire series about polygamy? The answer lies in the fact that the show doesn’t actually depict the family engaging in illegal behavior. While Kody Brown is ‘married’ to four women, he is legally wedded only to his most recent wife, Robyn.

In spite of what the audience are led to believe by the production team, and the way “Sister Wives” comes across, the other marriages are considered so-called ‘spiritual unions,’ and are thus not recognized by the government. This provides the legal loophole that the Browns could easily use against the state in court, which allows their unconventional tendencies to even be televised without governmental scrutiny.

The romantic journey of the ‘Sister Husband’

The very name of the TV series “Sister Wives” is in and of itself controversial, as it comes with implications of highly frowned-upon practices, such as incest and polygamy. However, none of the wives are related by any means except religious. To understand how such a unity was even formed, it’s necessary to look at the man who orchestrated it all.

Kody Brown has a long and complicated history of marriages and children. As a member of the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB) sect of the Christian faith, Kody believes in marrying multiple wives, although that means he has to make obvious concessions to the law.

Kody’s first wife was Meri Brown, whom he married both legally and spiritually on 21 April 1990. The couple has one child together, a son named Leon – Meri was unable to carry more. However, their relationship hit a rough patch in 2015, when Kody divorced Meri so that he could legally marry his fourth wife, ostensibly in order to adopt her children from a previous marriage.

Brown’s second wife is Janelle Brown, whom he married only spiritually on 20 January 1993. They have six children together: four boys and two girls. Janelle is a real estate agent, who has also worked as a weight-loss coach and personal trainer.

His third wife is Christine Brown, whom he married only spiritually on 25 March 1994. The couple has six children together: three girls and three boys. Christine is known for her outspoken personality, and great love of cooking.

Finally, Kody’s fourth and current, remaining wife is Robyn Brown, whom he married only spiritually on 22 May 2010. Kody and Robyn have two children together: a son named Dayton and a daughter named Aurora. Kody also legally married Robyn in December 2014 so that he could lawfully adopt her three children.

The fame and subsequent notoriety that Kody and his spouses obtained due to their extremely unusual lifestyle resulted in an outcry from the community, as well as other, more important issues. For example, in spite of being the subject of a wildly popular TV series, the family has also suffered various financial difficulties, having filed for bankruptcy three times.

Despite the challenges they’ve faced and continue to struggle with, Kody and his wives have remained committed to their unique family dynamic, with the women often referring to themselves as ‘sister wives,’ and consistently emphasizing the importance of family and community.

The Browns’ gradual disintegration

While Janelle’s departure from Kody is definitely what’s most talked about in early 2023, this event was precipitated by another, earlier split, and that one by yet another. The first separation in the Brown family, although not final, was Kody’s legal divorce from Meri in December 2014.

Even though the intention behind the divorce wasn’t to abandon Meri, but simply to be able to legally adopt Robyn’s children from her previous marriage, it had a profound effect on the now ex-wife, who subsequently got into online dating.

She ended up being catfished, and eventually returned to her motherly duties in the Brown household, still spiritually married to Kody. Christine and Kody’s spiritual marriage came to an end on 2 November 2021, after 25 years together. The audience was deeply shocked to find this out through Christine’s Instagram post.

While issues had been brewing among the Browns for a while, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 era that certain cracks really began to show, particularly between Kody and Christine, mostly owing to his cold and stoic approach to family matters throughout that time.

According to InTouch Weekly, Christine felt that Kody wasn’t supporting her during the pandemic, and that he wasn’t present enough. This led to arguments that eventually resulted in Christine deciding to move to Utah, leaving Kody and her sister wives behind in Arizona.

Speculation of Christine’s split from Kody started in November 2020 following the revelation that Kody had sold Christine the family home, however, it wasn’t until a year later that Christine confirmed the news. In a People magazine interview, Christine revealed that one of the moments that led her to split up from Kody was his absence from important family matters.

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— Kody Brown (@realkodybrown) November 2, 2021

She said ‘He broke my little girl’s heart’ while describing the time when their 19-year-old daughter Ysabel was set to undergo scoliosis correction surgery, which required her to fly to New Jersey. It was expected of Kody to accompany his child in this time of worry, but he refused to go, supposedly due to COVID-19 concerns.

Christine had also been dealing with postpartum depression at the time when Kody traveled to California for his honeymoon with Robyn Brown, which caused Christine to start feeling disconnected from Kody and their marriage. She became rather jealous of Robyn, and admitted it was hard at times to be a sister wife. She was thus the first of the four women to openly express her unhappiness in the relationship.

Since her split from Kody, Christine has been working on herself, and transforming her life. She has been focusing on her health and fitness, and has even started her own business – LuLaRoe, which sells women’s clothing. She can be seen consistently sharing her journey on social media, all the while being rather open about her struggles and triumphs.

So, what really happened between Janelle and Kody?

Janelle and Kody’s separation was confirmed in a preview clip of the upcoming “Sister Wives: One on One” special, which aired on 12 December 2022. However, the rumors of their split had been swirling for months before that.

It seems that Janelle’s departure from Kody was a long time coming, although not many in the audience suspected it. An insider alleged to The Sun that ‘Janelle had no real reason to leave until Christine pointed it out to her,’ claiming that Christine was definitely the one who kept persuading Janelle to break it off. It’s thus speculated that her split from Kody may have nudged Janelle in a similar direction.

Despite the end of their marriage, Janelle seems to be looking forward to a bright future. She took to Instagram to share her excitement, writing ‘I’m ready for you 2023!’ She also admitted to feeling quite happy now that she’s separated from Kody.

It’s unclear what the exact reasons were for the breakdown of Janelle and Kody’s marriage, but the aforementioned insider stated that Janelle ‘had outgrown him.’ Seeing as Kody’s relationship with his other wives has also been rocky in recent years, fans have begun speculating that Janelle’s split began to spell the end of the family.

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Despite the drama surrounding Janelle and Kody’s split, it seems that she’s determined to move on and thrive on her own. It remains to be seen how the events of the past few years will impact the Brown family and their dynamic on “Sister Wives,” but one thing is for sure: Janelle is ready for whatever comes her way.

What is left of the family?

Meri Brown also made headlines in December 2022 when she confirmed the end of her 32-year marriage to Kody Brown, in the first episode of the new season of “Sister Wives: One on One,” in which Meri told host Sukanya Krishnan all about the split.

Meri and Kody’s relationship had been tumultuous for several years, with rumors of a separation swirling since 2015. However, it wasn’t until January 2023 that Meri formally announced the end of their marriage, posting a text picture on Instagram that read ‘After more than a decade of working on our relationship in our own unique ways, we have made the decision to permanently terminate our marriage relationship.’

With Christine, Janelle and now even Meri out of the picture, the Brown family seems to have been reduced to just the one legally wedded couple, rendering the entire idea of “Sister Wives” obsolete.

With many questions unanswered, such as how the show will even continue if the family’s in this state, and whether any of the wives are considering returning to their former union, the remainder of the Browns’ story remains to be written throughout 2023.

Robyn Brown got into the public eye on 26 September 2010, upon the release of the first episode of the now ultra-famous reality TV series by TLC entitled “Sister Wives.” She is known as the only legal wife of Kody Brown, who also had three other ‘wives’ at the start of the show. As is the case with most individuals who rose to prominence in the reality genre, Robyn indeed has some monsters looming in the closet.

While she started out as just another wife in the series, who obviously enjoyed the majority of Kody’s love and affection, most fans believed that his disposition would only last temporarily, as their relationship was fresh and passionate at the time. However, over the years, it became apparent that Robyn isn’t likely to stop being the favorite anytime soon, leading many to believe that she employed various subversive tactics to maintain that position in the wives’ hierarchy.

To understand what it might be that Robyn did out of purely selfish intent, it’s important to first point out what the whole series is all about, since its very premise attributes controversy to most of its aspects, yet that isn’t actually Robyn’s fault.

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The core of “Sister Wives”

“Sister Wives” follows the life of the Browns – a polygamist family that consists of Kody Brown, his four wives as well as their combined 18 children. It is composed of Kody’s legal wife, Robyn, and his three other wives, Christine, Janelle, and Meri, whom he has married in the supposed spirit world.

The show has been on air for over a decade, releasing 17 seasons by early 2023. The newest 18^th season has been confirmed by Christine, but no official release date has been announced yet. Despite rumors that the show may be coming to an end soon, there is still no verifiable confirmation from TLC or the Brown family.

“Sister Wives” has been a source of controversy, and has sparked debates about polygamy and its legality. In fact, the show’s premiere caused quite a stir, as it was the first time a show on mainstream television had featured a polygamist family. Over the decade and change of its duration, the series has faced criticism from groups that oppose polygamy, while others have praised it for shedding light on an often-misunderstood way of life.

The show has also been criticized for the portrayal of the family members, as some viewers believe that the show romanticizes polygamy, and doesn’t accurately depict the challenges faced by such families. Others had very few good words about the title, due to its lack of diversity, as the Brown family is predominantly white and Mormon.

Despite the controversies, “Sister Wives” has remained a popular show with a loyal fan base. It’s been praised for its authenticity and for the way it handles sensitive issues such as family dynamics, parenting, and relationships. While definitely not something that most people would even consider, the polygamous lifestyle of the Browns is by all means a daring move, and a step in the direction against judging and mislabeling this type of family in general.

Overall, “Sister Wives” has had a significant impact on popular culture, sparking all kinds of discussions about the nature and legality of polygamy, turning it into another one of the acceptance and anti-judgment topics that are hotly debated in this day and age. Whether or not the show continues in the future, it will always be remembered as a ground-breaking release that challenged societal norms and initiated important debates.

Battling the law for a taste of history

One of the greatest achievements of Kody and his unconventional family is also their most prominent issue – evading the law in their pursuit of a polygamous union. The practice of living with multiple spouses has had a long and complicated history, in the western world most of all the US. In spite of this, people like Kody and his wives remain mostly resolute in their convictions.

The practice of polygamy dates back to ancient times, and has been enjoyed in various cultures and religions around the world. Polygamy in the US, however, is most commonly associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more generally described as the Mormon Church, which Kody and the wives are part of.

The history of polygamy in the US can be traced back to the early days of this particular religious sect. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, received what he claimed was a revelation from God in the 1830’s, which was used to sanction the practice of polygamy. Smith himself had multiple wives, and the practice was continued by his successor, Brigham Young. By the mid-19th century polygamy had become a common practice among the Mormons, most prominently in the territory of Utah, where their influence was strongest.

Miss us? Find full episodes of #SisterWives on #TLCgo and watch anywhere, anytime! https://t.co/DTocUDHq75 pic.twitter.com/bvQFqnCkul

— Janelle Brown (@JanelleBrown117) March 12, 2018

The practice of polygamy among the Mormons was met with widespread opposition and condemnation from non-Mormon Americans, who viewed it as a violation of traditional Christian values, and a threat to the stability of marriage and family life. In the late 19th century the US government took action to outlaw polygamy.

In 1862, US Congress passed the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act, which made it a federal crime to practice polygamy in any of the country’s districts or territories. The law was aimed directly at Mormons, who were by far the most numerous practitioners of polygamy at the time. Despite this law, Mormon men continued marrying multiple women, leading to a series of legal battles with the federal government.

In 1879 the US Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in the case of Reynolds v. United States, upholding the constitutionality of the federal anti-polygamy law. The Court held that polygamy was not protected by the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom, and that the government had the right to regulate marriage and family life in the interest of public order and morality.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Mormons resumed serial weddings in secret, leading to continued conflict with the federal government. In 1890 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the “Manifesto” – a statement renouncing the practice of polygamy and calling on Mormons to obey the law of the land. This was in part an effort to avoid further legal conflict with the federal government, which had threatened to seize the church’s property and dissolve it as a corporation.

This renunciation marked the beginning of the end of the practice in North America. Over time, the stigma associated with polygamy grew, and engaging in it became increasingly rare. Polygamy remains illegal in the US today, although there are still some small religious communities that practice it in secret.

In part, outlawing polygamy was a response to the perceived threat to traditional Christian values and family life posed by the practice. It was also seen as a way to promote social order and stability by ensuring that marriage was strictly monogamous. Finally, it was also part of a broader effort by the federal government to assert its authority over the western territories, and bring them into line with the rest of the country, achieving both geographical and ideological unification.

The practice of polygamy remains controversial and divisive even in 2023, with some arguing that it’s a legitimate expression of religious freedom, while others view it as a form of abuse and exploitation, particularly of women and children. The debate over polygamy in the US is likely to continue for years to come, as communities that practice it continue to exist in secret, and push for greater acceptance among their neighbors and compatriots.

Those still rooting for polygamy venerate families akin to the Browns in an almost saint-like manner, resting their hopes for the future on the struggles of people like Kody and Robyn Brown. Kody in particular had to avoid legally marrying more than one woman while still staying true to his beliefs, and has achieved this by taking Meri, Christine and Janelle as spiritual spouses. In the eyes of the law, this type of marriage is seen as a type of role-play, and thus can’t be prosecuted.

Robyn Brown – the dubiously seductive fourth wife

Controversial comments from the audience regarding Robyn began almost as soon as the series took off, with many noting that Kody obviously paid a lot less attention to his other three wives when his availability to Robyn was put in perspective. Of course, the most scandalous moment from a legal standpoint is the very fact that she knowingly entered a polygamous union.

First of all, it’s been pointed out as rather odd that Robyn was quick to marry Kody very shortly after the actual TV series landed on the screen. Fans of the show and critics alike couldn’t help but wonder if Robyn’s decision to marry Kody was motivated by fame and fortune rather than love and commitment. Some even questioned whether the marriage was a sham, designed to keep the show on the air and the money rolling in.

Before becoming Kody’s fourth and legal wife in 2014, Robyn had been married to a certain David Preston Jessop, with whom she had three children. They married on 21 July 1999, and birthed Dayton in 2000, Aurora in 2003, and Breanna in 2005. The two ultimately divorced in 2007 for undisclosed reasons, although many believe Robyn had already been cheating on her husband with Kody, at least in a spiritual way.

Additionally, it’s also rather odd how those three children were incorporated among the Browns. Kody decided to adopt them into the family in 2011, but it was subsequently revealed that he had somehow legally already done this before the adoption was finalized, which raised questions about the legality of the adoption, and whether it was done for the benefit of the show.

Some also found it infuriating how Robyn managed to evade various kinds of deserved trouble before becoming part of the family. She has been accused of filing for bankruptcy before joining the show, to avoid paying previous debts incurred over a number of years. In addition, Kody’s financial situation has been questioned, with allegations that he owes tens of thousands in back taxes.

In 2018, Robyn revealed that she had been struggling with severe health issues, including heart problems and chronic pain. Some viewers criticized her for not being more transparent about her health earlier on the show, noting that it’s highly likely Robyn kept this to herself so as to maximize the profits from the show, and not impede the filming process.

While this decision on its own doesn’t harm anyone else per se, it still shows what lengths she’s willing to go to for a little extra cash. It’s thus also worthy of mention that Robyn has emerged as the wealthiest of Kody’s wives, with an estimated net worth of $600,000. This may be due in part to her entrepreneurial spirit, as she’s launched several successful businesses, including an online clothing boutique and a jewelry line.

More recently, Robyn and Kody launched a new business called Dabsark Entertainment, LLC. The company was registered in Arizona in May of 2022 and currently has only two members – Kody and Robyn. The exact nature of the business isn’t clear, but some speculate that it could be related to the family’s reality show, or other entertainment projects.

Lastly, it’s become apparent in recent times that Robyn is somehow Kody’s last remaining spiritual and legal wife, as the other three have left him over recent years. While he did indeed divorce Meri Brown so as to legally marry Robyn and adopt her children back in 2010, it wasn’t until early 2023 that his first wife truly left.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVyGLiIvp7R/

Christine Brown precipitated the final departures though, with her split coming about in November 2021, following 25 years of so-called spiritual marriage. Janelle Brown quickly followed Meri around late 2022 and early 2023, splitting up from the family as well.

Miraculously, the fourth and final wife is now reaping all of the benefits of the previous years of brand-building and withstanding the media storm that the Browns had to endure. It remains to be seen whether this is all just an accident, or whether more serious and perhaps sinister motives drove Robyn to where she is in early April 2023.