Christine Brown Struggles With Heartbreak as Mykelti Moves Away

The Brown family is bracing for another emotional shift — one that hits especially close to home for Sister Wives star Christine Brown.

Her daughter, Mykelti Brown Padron, is packing up her life in Utah and heading east to North Carolina, taking her husband Tony and their three children — Avalon, Archer, and Ace — along for the journey.

In the October 5 episode of Sister Wives, Christine can be seen wiping away tears as she helps Mykelti box up her things. “Mykelti’s moving tomorrow,” she tells People, her voice cracking under the weight of the moment. “We’re driving her and her kids cross country tomorrow. It’s really hard.”

For Christine, the pain runs deep. After her separation from Kody Brown, one of the biggest joys of moving back to Utah was being closer to her adult children — and getting to watch her grandkids grow up. The idea of missing those tender years now feels like losing something she had only just regained.

Mykelti understands that heartbreak all too well. “Every time I talk about moving to my mom, I break her heart just a little bit more,” she admits. “She’s really sad. She’s really heartbroken.”

Family Ties Lead to a New Beginning

Despite the sadness, the move makes sense for her young family. Mykelti’s half-sister Maddie Brown and her husband, Caleb Brush, already settled down in North Carolina, where they purchased a farm with Maddie’s mom, Janelle Brown.

With four children of their own, the Brushes have built a home base where cousins can grow up side by side — something Mykelti wants for her kids. “I want my kids to have cousins,” she says, hopeful for the family bonds that lie ahead.

Tony Padron’s Chess Dream Finds Its Home

But there’s more behind the cross-country relocation than family ties. Mykelti’s husband, Tony, has a unique career passion — one that’s taking him right to the heart of his field.

“Tony just needs to pursue his chess career,” Mykelti explains. “It’s the chess capital of the U.S.,” Tony adds with excitement. “I’m someone who works in chess, makes content, and teaches and coaches. For me, moving out there is so exciting because that’s like the hub.”

That “hub” he’s referring to is the Charlotte Chess Center — a community known for its tournaments, training programs, and chess-themed events that attract players from across the country. For Tony, it’s a chance to grow his career and immerse himself fully in the game he loves.

As Christine helps load the moving truck, it’s clear the day is bittersweet. A mother’s pride mingles with heartache as she watches her daughter begin a new chapter hundreds of miles away.

And while Sister Wives fans have seen plenty of changes over the years, this one — the simple pain of a mother saying goodbye — feels deeply, universally human.

Sister Wives airs Sundays at 10/9c on TLC.

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