Christine Brown Opens up About Revealing the Story Behind Meri Brown's Wedding Ring (Exclusive)
Christine Brown reveals the emotional journey behind sharing Meri Brown's wedding ring story in an exclusive interview on part 2 of the 'Sister Wives: 1-on-1' special Explore the profound impact and connection these sister wives hold as they navigate the complexities of their relationships
Christine Brown, a star of Sister Wives, discussed her decision to publicly share Meri Brown's wedding ring story, and provided an explanation for why Kody Brown received a new band. "The whole ring situation was really fascinating," Christine, 51, told We in November. She also mentioned that it didn't come as a surprise to her that Meri, 52, had noticed Kody, 54, wearing a different wedding band while filming season 18 of the TLC series.
Christine remembered how Meri had a powerful response during an October episode of Sister Wives when she discovered that Kody had replaced his Claddagh ring with a new one that seemed to be from his fourth wife, Robyn Brown. The Claddagh, a Celtic symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship, was Kody’s second wedding ring, with the first being the one he and Meri exchanged at their 1990 wedding.
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In an exclusive first look at the Sunday, December 3, episode of Sister Wives: 1-on-1, Christine revealed that Kody melted down his ring from Meri. He claimed, “I didn’t want Meri to have control over me and power over me anymore,” when Robyn, 45, came into the plural family’s lives in 2010. Kody later divorced Meri in 2014 and legally married Robyn so he could adopt her kids from a prior marriage. He and Meri stayed in a spiritual union and officially announced their split in January.
"Last month, in an exclusive joint interview with Christine, Janelle Brown revealed Meri's deep sentimental attachment to the ring she gave Kody. Christine also expressed that it was very difficult for Meri when Kody melted down the wedding ring."
Meri was visibly upset by Kody’s actions in the exclusive tell-all clip, and expressed feeling more “frustrated” with Christine for sharing her story publicly without her consent. “It wasn’t Christine’s place to tell it,” Meri said tearfully. “If I wanted to have told that story in the past 13 years in public, I would have done so.”
During her interview with Us, Christine did not directly address Meri’s feelings about her sharing the wedding ring story with viewers. Both she and Janelle, 54, admitted feeling uncomfortable about giving Kody his Claddagh ring after Meri was so hurt by him discarding his first band.
Janelle remembered that they decided to make rings for their daughters using all the parents' rings. She acknowledged that it was especially difficult for Meri. Meanwhile, Christine expressed her belief that it was a mistake and found the situation to be very sad. She also pointed out that it was Kody's decision to melt the gold and create something new.
"It seemed to me that he was giving them a token, like he was passing on this thing to them," Janelle explained, describing the exchange. "It felt like a sort of heirloom situation, I guess."
Kody appeared to stop wearing the Claddagh ring in 2022, during the filming of Sister Wives season 18, as his relationship with Janelle became strained in anticipation of their separation. At the time, he replaced the second band with a new piece of jewelry, while still in a strained marriage with Meri. He had previously separated from Christine in 2021.
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Part 2 of Sister Wives: 1-on-1 airs on TLC Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
