Sister Wives’ Christine and Janelle Brown Reveal ‘Devastating’ Part of Family Drama After Kody Splits

Sister Wives stars Christine Brown and Janelle Brown revealed the most “devastating” part of their family rift following their splits from ex-husband Kody Brown.

“It’s devastating to have your kids have daddy issues,” Christine, 52, told E! News on Thursday, October 10. “To have kids who struggle with their dad … it’s really, really hard. Because I would love it if they have a good relationship with him. But I just tell them, you know, you gotta accept him where he’s at and you need to love him where he’s at.”

After fans watched Kody, 55, call out daughter Madison Brush (née Brown) for spreading “gossip” during the October 6 episode, Janelle, 55, said that their daughter was “just one example” of how their children “are feeling about their father.”

“He has really distanced himself from them,” she added.

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The former sister wives then reflected on Kody’s relationship with Janelle’s daughter Savanah, revealing that he hasn’t seen her in a year. Janelle explained that Savanah, 19, understands that she needs to keep her relationship with her father on a “superficial” level and the teen has acknowledged that she’s grateful to have so many older brothers to look up to amid Kody’s absence.

In addition to Maddie, 28, and Savannah, Janelle and Kody share kids Logan, Gabe and Hunter. They also shared son Robert Garrison, who died at the age of 25 in March after he committed suicide. Meanwhile, Christine shares kids Aspyn, Mykelti, Paedon, Gwendlyn, Ysabel and Truely with Kody. The Brown patriarch also shares one child with ex Meri Brown and five children with his last remaining wife, Robyn Brown.

During the latest episode of the TLC show, Kody reflected on his estranged relationships from his adult children following his spiritual divorces. “They’re purposefully leaving me out of their lives to punish me for a crime I did not commit,” he said in the episode, which was filmed in 2022. “I am only guilty of not falling madly in love with their mothers.”

Also during the episode, Janelle explained that their children — specifically Maddie – had issues with Kody’s lack of involvement in their grandchildren’s lives. However, Kody argued that it was an “unrealistic expectation for grandparents to be in the grandchildren’s lives.”

“Especially if you move your children to an entirely different coast,” he continued, adding that Maddie intensified the tension between him and Janelle.

Christine was the first of Kody’s wives to leave their polygamous relationship in November 2021, followed by Janelle in December 2022 and Meri in January 2023.

While reflecting on their lives today during the interview, Christine told the outlet that she and Janelle are currently living their “best lives.”

“It’s nice to start over again in a new chapter. We’re also just starting over,” Christine – who married husband David Woolley in October 2023 – said.

Janelle then reflected on her relationship with Christine, pointing out that they remained close after their splits. She said that Christine is creating new memories with David, 60, while Janelle has a “whole new life” that she’s creating for herself.

“I feel like we’re more independent now than we ever were and just life’s exciting,” Christine added.