It is now official. Kody and Janelle Brown have formally announced their separation after years of turmoil that culminated in the former spouses butting heads on season 17 of Sister Wives. Kody and his second wife, Janelle, both acknowledge their separation in the teaser for the forthcoming TLC One-on-One special presented by Sukanya Krishnan.
“I think if we both really sat down we’d look at each other and say, ‘Really?’ We’ve been separated for several months,” Janelle tells the surprised Sukanya.
She then queries Kody separately, to which he responds, “Yes, we are separated.”
Kody continues by saying that he believes Janelle is enjoying her time away from him.
“Janelle has made it pretty clear to me that she’s enjoying her life without me,” he adds.
Christine Brown, Kody’s ex-wife who divorced him in 2021 after 25 years of marriage, shared her thoughts on Kody and Janelle’s relationship.
“For Janelle, I think she’s frustrated and she’s so hurt and I think that man that she was married to, she realizes that he’s totally different, but she’s different too,” Christine explains.
On this season of Sister Wives, tensions between Janelle and Kody have reached an all-time high. Kody proclaimed a “civil war” inside the family in the finale, accusing Janelle of betraying him and never agreeing with him on matters.
Janelle chastised Kody for forcing her to choose between their children and him, despite the fact that Kody is still separated from some of his children as a result of the consequences from his stringent COVID regulations.
Despite their tumultuous connection, Kody is officially married to his fourth wife, Robyn Brown, and spiritually wedded to his first wife, Meri Brown. Christine dumped him in 2021, thereby terminating their spiritual marriage. The aftermath of the separation has been addressed on this season of Sister Wives, with Janelle lending Christine her support.