In a dramatic twist, *Sister Wives* Season 19 delivers shocking revelations about Kody Brown’s tumultuous relationships. After ending three marriages, Kody’s monogamous union with Robyn faces new challenges, leading him to seek a divorce and potentially marry someone new.
The saga of Kody Brown, star of *Sister Wives*, has been marked by significant upheaval, particularly after the family’s move to Flagstaff, Arizona. This relocation saw the rapid dissolution of his marriages with Christine, Janelle, and Meri Brown,
leaving Kody in a monogamous relationship with Robyn. The Brown family had previously moved several times, notably from Utah to Las Vegas in Season 2 to escape legal issues related to their polygamous lifestyle.
In Las Vegas, the family lived in four custom-built homes situated close together, allowing each wife her own space while maintaining a sense of unity. They even planted a tree to symbolize their roots, making Kody’s later decision to move to Flagstaff surprising.
The chaotic move to Flagstaff aimed to facilitate the construction of new homes on a property known as Coyote Pass. However, the relocation imposed significant strain on the family, as they struggled to find suitable rental homes, leading to their dispersion across the city. Unlike in Las Vegas, where they maintained close daily interactions, the wives—Meri, Robyn, Christine, and Janelle—found themselves living more independently and seeing less of Kody. This separation eroded the cohesive polygamous lifestyle they once shared.
As the family adjusted to their new, more isolated lives, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further strained relationships. Each branch of the family implemented social distancing measures, isolating themselves in their respective homes. Kody primarily stayed with Robyn due to her strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, unlike his other wives and their children, who continued social activities. This discrepancy led to tensions, particularly between Kody and Janelle’s sons, whom he criticized for irresponsible behavior. The pandemic exacerbated the existing divisions, highlighting the lack of urgency to reach a consensus on family gatherings, which would have been crucial had they still lived in close proximity in Las Vegas.
The idea of building a single residence for the entire family on Coyote Pass was briefly considered but ultimately rejected when Christine opposed it. The family decided to divide the property into individual plots, underscoring the mixed feelings about communal living. Communication challenges emerged as each wife hesitated to express her true preferences for fear of causing friction. This hesitancy revealed deeper issues, with Kody ultimately dictating which wife received each parcel of land, further exacerbating tensions.
Despite the initial allure of Flagstaff’s picturesque landscape, the financial burden of paying off the land before starting construction posed significant challenges. The sluggish real estate market in Las Vegas and difficulty finding rentals in Flagstaff depleted the family’s resources, leading to the purchase of homes for Christine and Robyn while leaving Janelle in an RV and cramped apartments. This situation highlighted Janelle’s diminishing priority in Kody’s eyes.
The move to Flagstaff did not directly trigger the family’s problems but rather brought existing issues to the forefront. As the wives found themselves increasingly living separate lives, the idea of officially severing ties from Kody seemed less daunting. This season explores these dynamics, culminating in Kody seeking a divorce from Robyn and contemplating a new marriage, further unraveling the complex web of relationships within the Brown family.