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Fans of TLC’s “Sister Wives” are getting a deeper look into the unraveling of Kody’s polygamous relationships, with three of his four wives now having separated from him. As with many relationship breakups, the blame game has taken center stage, making it even more challenging when children are involved.

In my last article, I focused on Kody’s first wife, Meri. This time, the spotlight is on Janelle Brown, Kody’s second wife. Janelle, now 55, was born and raised in a Mormon family that did not practice polygamy. After the early loss of her father, her mother remarried, and Janelle herself was briefly married for two years before meeting Kody Brown. She and Kody entered a spiritual union in 1993, which ultimately ended in 2022. Together, they had six children, one of whom has sadly passed away.

Of all the “Sister Wives,” Janelle stands out to me. Her independence, easy-going nature, and personable charm make her the kind of person you could easily connect with over coffee, where hours could pass by unnoticed in conversation.

Over the years, Janelle has been open about her struggles with weight, a challenge she attributes partly to her six pregnancies. One season even highlighted her commitment to getting fit at the gym. But beyond the physical, I can’t help but wonder how much of her weight struggles might have been linked to the stress of a challenging relationship with Kody. As someone who has also worked to rebuild my life, I know the weight of emotional strain and how easy it is to put ourselves last while caring for others.

One notable aspect of Kody's approach to marriage was his attempt to balance time among his wives, essentially scheduling his life around each relationship. However, things shifted when Robyn joined the family and started having children with Kody. This shift marked the beginning of the end for three of his unions, as Kody struggled to maintain balance.

Professionally, Janelle has built an impressive career in real estate and holds an Accounting Degree from the University of Phoenix. She has often been a primary breadwinner for the family and played a key role in the family’s business venture, “My Sister Wives Closet.” Today, Janelle continues to thrive, working on herself, remaining part of the “Sister Wives” show, and establishing a career as a Life and Health Coach and co-owner of Taeda Farms.

After nearly 30 years with Kody, Janelle’s focus was always on her children first, often leaving her relationship in second place. While this can happen in any relationship, polygamous marriages may especially encourage it, as wives come to expect minimal support from their spouse, who has other families to support. Both Meri and Janelle put themselves second for so long, which may have impacted their self-esteem. Yet, they’ve each shown incredible strength in recognizing their self-worth and stepping away from a toxic situation. Both women are now blossoming and excited for the future, proving there is indeed a “better life” after leaving a challenging relationship.

Next time, I’ll be diving into Christine’s story—stay tuned! Let me know what is resonating with you!

Until next time!

Deborah Griffiths

Website: www.brokentoboldness.com

Email: brokentoboldness7@gmail.com

Note for Photo: TLC’s “Sister Wives” — https://go.tlc.com/shows; Photo credit unknown