‘Sister Wives’ Janelle Brown Wonders If Her Chapter with Kody Is Truly Over

Two years after her split from Kody Brown, Sister Wives star Janelle Brown is looking back — and questioning whether she’s truly closed the chapter on their long, complicated marriage.

Janelle entered the Brown family in 1993, becoming Kody’s second wife after previously being married to Adam Barber — the brother of Kody’s first wife, Meri.

Her journey into the plural family dynamic wasn’t just about romance; it was a deep, spiritual commitment. Over nearly three decades, she and Kody built a large family, raising six children together. 

Pandemic Struggles and a New Beginning

But during the pandemic, cracks that had long been forming finally split wide open. Kody’s strained relationship with many of his children, including his withdrawal from Janelle’s RV life on Coyote Pass and limited contact with their youngest daughter, Savanah, led to a painful yet firm realization for Janelle: she was happier without him.

Though Kody attempted to rekindle their relationship — mostly, he admitted, for the sake of their children — Janelle had moved on emotionally.

She relocated from Flagstaff to North Carolina and made peace with the end of their spiritual marriage, without ever seeking a formal release from their church, unlike Meri, who pursued an official spiritual divorce.

“It didn’t even occur to me because [I’m] really not part of that church anymore,” Janelle shared during a conversation with producers. “And then when Meri got one, I’m like, huh.”

Weighing the Need for a Spiritual Release

The realization sparked a wave of reflection. Although Janelle wasn’t actively dating, she admitted, “I’m not dating, but if I found somebody, I would never want there to be like a weird barrier in my head.

I’ve been married for 30 years and it had validity for me. I don’t have to live plural marriage again. I don’t know if I’ll ever even marry again. But I’ve kept my faith. All of it’s intact except for that whole plural marriage thing. I don’t know about that.”

Her former sister wife, Christine Brown — who left Kody in November 2021 — had a different approach. She explained she didn’t feel the need for a spiritual divorce, despite Kody’s first wife Meri pursuing one. “I was at a different spot spiritually,” Christine said. “I believe in God and he was great with me leaving. So the conversation with him was good enough for me.”

In a recent Sister Wives episode, Janelle and Meri reconnect over the topic, with Meri even offering to accompany her if she chooses to seek a spiritual release.

It’s during this conversation that Janelle muses, “So just so that I’m sure I’m good, if I were to remarry, maybe it’s worth getting a spiritual divorce?”

Fans React as Janelle Charts Her Own Future

Meanwhile, fans continue to react to Kody’s recent claims that Janelle saw him as “a piece of meat,” with many responding with humor and disbelief.

One viewer quipped,

“So now he claims he’s been used for his body??

Oh yeah, she wanted him so much that she left Flagstaff like a thief in the night.”

Another added,

“This guy is a complete joke and the only thing good that came from him are his children. I am so glad the 3 women left.”

Today, Kody remains married solely to his fourth wife, Robyn Brown. As Janelle ponders her next steps — whether that includes a formal spiritual divorce or simply embracing her newfound independence — one thing is clear: she’s carving out her own path forward, faith intact and heart open to whatever comes next.

Catch new episodes of Sister Wives every Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on TLC and streaming the next day on Max.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening on Sister Wives right now. Come back here often for all Sister Wives spoilers, news, and updates.