The Unveiled Truth: A rollercoaster journey of love and turmoil between Christine and Kody Brown

Christine Brown's surprising announcement in 2021 about her permanent separation from her then-husband, Kody Brown, left devoted viewers of Sister Wives, who have been following the family since 2010, in disbelief.

In November 2021, the TLC personality shared the news on Instagram, just before the premiere of the show's 16th season. In her heartfelt message, she expressed, "After being together for over 25 years, Kody and I have realized that we have grown apart. It has been an incredibly difficult decision for me to leave." Despite their separation, Christine emphasized that they would remain actively involved in each other's lives as they co-parent their beloved children and continue to support their cherished family.

The couple, who symbolically married in March 1994, have a total of six children. They have five daughters named Aspyn (born March 1995), Mykelti (born June 1996), Gwendlyn (born October 2001), Ysabel (born June 2003), and Truely (born April 2010), as well as a son named Paedon (born August 1998).

During the premiere of the Sister Wives series in September 2010, Christine, who grew up in a polygamous family, revealed that she made the decision to join a plural marriage when she was 19 years old.

"I had a strong desire for sister wives for a significant period of my life," she expressed. "I yearned for a complete family, not solely for Kody. I desired everything that came with it."

Upon realizing her wish to be a part of a polygamous household, she was certain that she wanted to be the third wife, rather than the first or second.

During a confessional scene, she revealed, "If you're facing difficulties, like having two wives, they actually suggest marrying a third because it helps to balance things out." Christine expressed her reluctance to be the first wife as she didn't want to be the only one married to a man. Similarly, she didn't want to be the second wife as she believed it would create tension in the relationship. Ultimately, she preferred being the third wife because it seemed like the least complicated role.

While Christine was content with being Kody's third wife, she initially struggled with the addition of the fourth wife, Robyn Brown, who married Kody in May 2010. Kody had previously entered into relationships with Meri Brown in April 1990 and Janelle Brown in January 1993. (Both Janelle and Meri confirmed their separation from Kody in December 2022.)

"During season 1 when Kody was still in the process of courting his future fourth wife, Robyn, Christine expressed her concerns about the long distance between them, as Robyn lived approximately five hours away. She admitted that there were instances where she felt insecure and worried about being left behind, as if Robyn and her children were slowly replacing their own family. While Christine acknowledged the necessity of Kody's relationship with Robyn, she also acknowledged that it was not an easy adjustment for her."

"In 2022, Christine moved on and found love with David Woolley. Their engagement was officially announced in April 2023."

Keep scrolling for look back at Christine and Kody’s ups and downs over the years:

Credit: Courtrsy of Christine Brown/Instagram

Sister Wives' Christine Brown and Kody Brown's Ups and Downs Over the Years

Christine Brown's unexpected announcement in 2021 of her permanent separation from her then-husband, Kody Brown, left Sister Wives viewers in disbelief. Having been avid followers of the family since 2010, this news came as a shock.

Taking to Instagram in November 2021, the TLC personality shared the news just before the premiere of Sister Wives' season 16. In her heartfelt post, she conveyed, "After more than 25 years together, Kody and I have grown apart, and I have come to the difficult decision to part ways. However, we remain committed to being influential figures in each other's lives as we co-parent our beautiful children and offer unwavering support to our beloved family."

The couple, who had a spiritual union in March 1994, have a total of six children. Their daughters are named Aspyn (born March 1995), Mykelti (born June 1996), Gwendlyn (born October 2001), Ysabel (born June 2003), and Truely (born April 2010), while their son is named Paedon (born August 1998).

During the premiere of the Sister Wives series in September 2010, Christine, who grew up in a polygamous family, shared that she made the decision to join a plural marriage when she was just 19 years old.

"I used to yearn for sister wives rather than a husband for a significant portion of my life," she expressed. "I desired a complete family, not just a partnership with Kody. I craved everything that comes with it."

Once she acknowledged her desire to belong to a polygamous family, she also recognized that she longed to assume the role of a third wife, rather than being the first or second choice.

"They actually suggest that if you're facing difficulties, such as having two wives, you should consider marrying a third, as it would help balance things out," she shared during a confessional scene. "Personally, I never desired to be the first wife because I didn't want to be the sole spouse of a man. And I didn't want to be the second wife either, as I felt like I would be a source of tension in the relationship. My preference was always to be the third wife because it seemed like the easiest role."

While Christine was content being Kody's third wife, she initially struggled with the arrival of the fourth wife, Robyn Brown, who married Kody in May 2010. Prior to that, Kody had entered into relationships with Meri Brown in April 1990 and Janelle Brown in January 1993. (Both Janelle and Meri confirmed their separation from Kody in December 2022.)

"Robyn resides about five hours away," Christine mentioned during the first season when Kody was still in the process of courting his future fourth wife. "There were a few instances where I felt like, 'You absolutely can't go. You can't abandon me, and you can't abandon your family. You are substituting your family with Robyn and her children.' It was challenging, and yet I also recognized that it was necessary, although it didn't necessarily make it any less difficult."

In 2022, Christine moved forward with David Woolley and in April 2023, the couple revealed their engagement.

Keep scrolling for look back at Christine and Kody's ups and downs over the years:

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

March 1994

Christine became Kody's third wife when she was 21 years old. Two months after the wedding, Janelle gave birth to the family's first child, Logan.

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

March 1995

Christine's first child, daughter Aspyn, arrived one year after she married Kody. Aspyn married Mitch Thompson in June 2018.

Credit: Courtesy Mykelti Brown/Instagram

June 1996

Kody and Christine welcomed their second daughter, Mykelti. In December 2016, Mykelti wed Tony Padron in a ceremony held in Utah.

Credit: Courtesy Paedon Brown/Instagram

August 1998

Christine's first son, Paedon, became the eighth child in the family (her third).

Credit: Courtesy Gwendlyn Brown/Instagram

October 2001

Kody and Christine welcomed Gwendlyn, their third daughter and fourth child together.

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

June 2003

Ysabel, the couple's fifth child, arrived nearly two years after Gwendlyn.  

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

April 2010

The duo welcomed their sixth child, daughter Truely. The birth was documented on season 1 of Sister Wives.

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

May 2010

Kody entered into his fourth marriage with Robyn, marking the first addition of a new wife to the family in 16 years. "I prefer to avoid any conflicts or disruptions, and I am not fond of having my life disrupted," expressed Christine during the premiere of the Sister Wives series. "I am somewhat apprehensive about accepting another wife. However, if it does happen, she would need to be truly exceptional. Otherwise, it could pose some challenges."

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

September 2010

Sister Wives debuted on TLC and quickly gained popularity. Concerns arose among some viewers about the family's transparency potentially leading to legal consequences, considering that polygamy was (and still is) prohibited in Utah. However, neither Kody nor his wives faced any charges. In 2011, they took legal action against the state of Utah, seeking to challenge the ban on plural marriage. Unfortunately, the U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed the case in 2016.

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

March 2021

In February 2021, Kody expressed to We that the family dynamic had become "weird." However, just a month later, Christine shared with Us that she actually preferred their plural marriage over a monogamous one. She explained that the idea of having a man around every night seemed foreign to her and she felt it would restrict her independence. Being the third wife, she cherished the freedom she had and enjoyed spending evenings in comfortable clothes with her daughters, eating popcorn and playing games. Despite her appreciation for her lifestyle, Christine admitted in the same interview that she sometimes felt like she wasn't an equal partner in the relationship with Kody and the other wives. She struggled when she felt her opinions and importance were disregarded, particularly during major decision-making. These moments of feeling unheard or insignificant were the most challenging for her in their relationship.

Credit: Courtesy Mykelti Brown/Instagram

April 2021

Christine became a grandma for the first time when Mykelti gave birth to daughter Avalon. (Kody was already a grandpa of two thanks to Janelle's eldest daughter, Madison.)

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

April 2021

In a surprising twist during the season 15 finale, Christine dropped a bombshell on her sister wives by expressing her desire to return to Utah. This revelation came as a shock since the family had uprooted their lives and moved to Arizona back in 2018. Shedding light on their tumultuous relationship, Christine candidly admitted during a previous episode that she and her husband had been going through a rough patch for the past couple of years.

In the conclusion, she confessed her uncertainty about continuing her relationship with Kody. "I no longer feel capable of being married to Kody," she expressed. "I no longer desire to. ... It's simply not sufficient."

During a personal interview, she elaborated on her discomfort in Arizona. "I agreed to relocate to Flagstaff and followed Kody here, but it has been a constant struggle," she disclosed. "I am exhausted from feeling insignificant, from lacking his support when I truly require it. I am simply worn out. I yearn for a true partnership. I yearn for something different than what I currently have."

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

October 2021

Us confirmed that Christine sold her home in Arizona. When she signed the house over to the new owner, she listed her address as being in Utah.

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

November 2021

Following Christine's announcement of her separation from Kody, the patriarch of the Brown family took to Instagram to confirm the news. In his post, he expressed his deep sadness over Christine's decision to leave, acknowledging the many years they spent together and the immense respect and admiration he holds for her. Despite their diverging paths, Kody emphasized their unwavering commitment to co-parenting their children.

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock(2)

November 2021

In a recent episode of the TLC series, Christine seemed to have reached her breaking point and turned to Meri for solace. Meri reassured her, saying, "You've invested so many years into this relationship—25, 28, however long it's been—you shouldn't just give up now." This conversation took place after Christine expressed her inability to continue her marriage with Kody.

In a moment of vulnerability, Christine confessed, "Navigating through marriage can be challenging, but the reality of my current situation is not what I had envisioned. I never anticipated feeling distant and having minimal physical affection, to the extent that even holding hands is rare. It's a melancholic state. My marriage to Kody is filled with sadness."

Credit: Courtesy Kody Brown/Instagram; Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

December 2021

The pair clashed during a December episode of Sister Wives when Kody decided to remain at home while Christine and their daughter Ysabel traveled to New Jersey for the teenager's scoliosis surgery. "Ysabel is deeply hurt that Kody chose not to be here. It really hurts her," Christine expressed during the December 13 episode. Ysabel later commented about her father, saying, "I believe his priorities are a bit skewed. I don't want to disrespect him because he is my dad and I understand, I really do. I understand why he's making this choice, but it's incredibly frustrating and extremely difficult."

Credit: Courtesy of Christine Brown/Instagram; Shutterstock

January 2022

In a highly charged episode of Sister Wives, Christine took the difficult step of packing up Kody's belongings following his declaration that he no longer had any "interest" in being "intimate" with her.

Overwhelmed with sorrow, she expressed her deep sense of confusion and asked, "What have I done so terribly wrong? All I've ever wanted was a marriage filled with love and romance, but it has been an arduous journey for far too long." Speaking directly to the cameras, she revealed the painful truth, "I feel as though I have no other choice but to remove his belongings from our shared space. The sight of his things is a constant reminder of heartbreak. Being in his presence, witnessing his connection with Robyn, Janelle, and the children, it's simply too much to bear."

Credit: Courtesy of Christine Brown/Instagram

February 2022

"Happy Valentine's Day!!" Christine exclaimed on her Instagram post, sharing a cheerful solo picture on her first Valentine's Day without Kody. "Let's take a moment to step away from the chaos of the world and prioritize our families today! #valentines #valentinesday #familyfirst."

Credit: Christine Brown

February 2022

During the third installment of the Sister Wives: One on One tell-all special, Christine made a significant announcement, revealing that Kody and she have officially divorced. She emphasized that they are now leading separate lives and have transitioned into being friends. Christine expressed that she reached this decision after realizing the need to protect her heart from further pain. This newfound freedom has brought her a sense of relief and liberation.

Kody also confirmed during the tell-all that their relationship had come to an end. "Christine has made the decision to leave. We are no longer married," he revealed. Despite still having feelings for her, he expressed his confusion and mixed emotions. "I'm torn between grief and anger. Right now, I am willing to go through the grieving process just to move past the anger. My goal is to move forward, seek happiness, and create a fulfilling life."

Credit: TLC

February 2022

Months after ending her relationship with Kody, Christine made an exciting announcement about her own solo cooking spinoff. Titled "A taste of something new!", the reality star revealed that she would be sharing some of her favorite recipes on the new digital series called "Cooking With Just Christine". The episodes would be released every Sunday on Instagram and TLC.com.

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram

May 2022

Christine delighted her fans by offering them a sneak peek into her life without Kody. She took to Instagram to share an adorable photo from her time spent babysitting her granddaughter. In the caption, she expressed her desire to babysit Avalon by practically begging her daughter, Mykelti, for the opportunity. Christine described Avalon as absolutely delightful and felt blessed to have the chance to be an oma (grandmother) and enjoy the joys of babysitting.

Credit: TLC/YouTube

August 2022

TLC has unveiled the much-anticipated preview for season 17 of Sister Wives, which hints at the aftermath of Christine and Kody's separation. In the gripping footage, Christine expresses her feelings of being overshadowed by Robyn in Kody's eyes. She firmly declares her decision to part ways with Kody, emphasizing that she initially agreed to be a sister wife on the condition of equality.

Credit: Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock(3)

August 2022

Christine has recently sold her share of the Coyote Pass property in Flagstaff, Arizona, back to her ex-husband and his fourth wife, Robyn, for a mere $10, as confirmed by property records obtained by Us. Interestingly, this sale had been finalized one month prior to the current time.

Credit: Courtesy Christine Brown/Instagram; Discovery Inc.

August 2022

Christine playfully mentioned that she has "high standards" when it comes to her dating preferences following her separation from Kody. In a humorous TikTok video, she quipped that a Warcraft character named Durotan is the "love of my life." In the caption, she added, "I would definitely consider dating again! However, I must admit, I am quite selective!"

Credit: Justin Stephens/Discovery; Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

September 2022

During a recent episode of the TLC series, Christine expressed her feelings about celebrating her and Kody's anniversary after their separation. She candidly shared with the cameras that she didn't spend the day with Kody as she was getting ready to relocate to Utah.

Kody, on the other hand, was taken aback by Christine's decision not to acknowledge their union on social media. He admitted that it was the first time he truly realized how serious she was about their split and mentioned his intentions to further evaluate their relationship.

Christine, on her end, expressed to the audience, "I no longer perceive myself as married to him. I rarely wear our wedding rings nowadays. They seem to symbolize a burden to me... It was such a liberating feeling to finally remove them."

Credit: TLC(2)

October 2022

Christine expressed her disagreement with Kody's unexpected request to have equal time with their youngest daughter, Truely, while she plans to move to Utah. She highlighted that if he truly wanted an equal parenting arrangement, he should have been actively present in their children's lives all along. Christine firmly stated that he does not deserve or qualify for a 50/50 custody agreement due to his lack of involvement.

Credit: AP/Shutterstock

October 2022

"For the past few months, Christine and I have been swiftly transitioning from separation to divorce. Our most recent family gathering was when Christine informed us of her decision to leave," Kody shared during the episode of the TLC series, which was filmed in the summer of 2021. "I feel a significant disconnect from the rest of the family. This process has been incredibly challenging for me."

The estranged couple recently came together to celebrate their daughter Ysabel's high school graduation with a gathering of the Brown family. As Kody observed everyone getting along, his frustrations about his separation from Christine resurfaced. In a confessional, he admitted, "I find myself longing for a past that will never return. I'm grappling with feelings of regret and frustration. It's a strange experience to be the one left behind. It has caused me to question the concept of plural marriage and even my faith. Our once solid message about functional polygamy now appears to be flawed and dysfunctional."

Credit: TLC (2)

October 2022

In a first look at a Sister Wives episode shared exclusively with Us, Kody spoke candidly about how Christine moving out so quickly made him feel.

"It feels like a betrayal to me. I believe she intentionally kept this information from me for a long time, and now she suddenly drops it on me. It seems like she is in a hurry to end our relationship. Ever since she first mentioned wanting to leave, she has been eager to move on," he expressed in a confessional.

Credit: Courtesy of Christine Brown/Instagram; Shutterstock

October 2022

Nearly a year after announcing their separation, Christine revealed in an exclusive interview with Us that their relationship remained tense. She admitted that she hadn't spoken to him in person for a while and relied on watching episodes of the show and hearing updates from Janelle to stay informed. Christine believed that he was still deeply hurt and processing the split at a slower pace. While they did communicate to arrange visits with their youngest daughter, Christine didn't consider it true co-parenting yet. She shared an instance when she informed him about their daughter winning Student of the Month at school and he called to congratulate her after receiving a picture.

Credit: TLC/YouTube X2

November 2022

During a season 17 episode of the TLC series, Christine expressed her admiration for the concept of a family, including the idea of sister wives and raising children together. She emphasized the importance of each relationship and marriage within a plural family being strong, comparing it to the spokes of a wheel. However, she later admitted that despite her dedication to the family, she began to feel like a mere afterthought in Kody's grand plan, causing her perspective on everything to shift.

The TV personality expressed that she reached a point where she had to prioritize herself instead of focusing solely on the well-being of her plural family. Christine shared her feelings of being heartbroken for an extended period of time and her exhaustion from this emotional pain. She questioned if her decision to stay in the relationship for as long as she did was driven by a desire to make things work.

On the other hand, Kody struggled with a sense of abandonment from Christine. He reflected on his actions and contributions to the family and felt that despite his efforts, he was still being rejected. This rejection was not only directed towards him but also impacted their children and his other wives.

Credit: TLC/YouTube X2

Christine reflected on the moment when her ex-husband admitted on a season 17 episode of Sister Wives that he lacked attraction towards her on their wedding day. In an episode of the “Reality Life With Kate Casey” podcast, she shared, "Although it was tough, that moment actually empowered me. Looking back, I can now understand the reasons behind his lack of presence and connection in our relationship. However, after enduring this for such a long time, I have reached my limit. I refuse to pretend any longer and continue down this path."

December 2022

The mother of six added that if there was truly no attraction towards her, no desire for a relationship, and no interest in spending time together, she felt a sense of relief as if a burden had been lifted. This realization made her realize that it was time to move on.

Credit: Justin Stephens/Discovery

January 2023

According to Christine in part 3 of Sister Wives: One-on-One, Kody found his "soulmate" in Robyn, leaving little space for anyone else. Christine expressed that she and Kody had a special connection, but when she needed his support, he failed to provide it. This realization was a turning point for her, as she felt that she had dedicated herself to him without receiving the same in return.

Christine, who is a mother of six, further claimed that Kody and Robyn's relationship seemed to be a complete and inseparable bond. They appeared to rely on each other for everything and functioned as a united entity.

Kody, on the other hand, dismissed Christine's viewpoint on his relationship with Robyn as "baseless bitterness." He pointed out that if she felt "jealous" of their connection, she should have invested the necessary energy and effort into their own relationship.

In another part of the episode, the patriarch disclosed that he holds no grudges against his ex-wife. "One of the kids informed me, 'Dad, mom says you have found your soulmate and she wants to find hers,'" Kody shared regarding Christine. "I genuinely hope she discovers her soulmate."

Credit: Courtesy of Christine Brown/Instagram; Puddle Monkey Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock

June 2023

In a heartfelt Father's Day tribute, Christine didn't miss the opportunity to express her admiration for her fiancé, Woolley. She described him as a loving, compassionate, and devoted father to his eight children and her and Kody's six kids. Christine expressed her gratitude for his unwavering presence and dedication, acknowledging that his consistent support means the world to her. With a heartfelt message, she addressed him as the love of her life, expressing her appreciation for his commitment and love. #fathersday #showingup #thewaytoawomansheart #loveofmylife.

Fans were quick to point out Christine’s choice to leave Kody out of the post, with one user commenting, “Dang if that ain’t a big old middle finger to Kody Brown .”