Truth Bomb! The Shocking REAL Reason Janelle Left Kody — What Sister Wives Didn’t Show You!

Sister Wives season 19 star Janelle Brown was married to polygamist patriarch Kody Brown for 29 years. The beloved unscripted series premiered in 2010 and chronicled the polygamist lifestyle of Kody and his four wives. As Kody’s second wife, Janelle entered a spiritual marriage with him on January 20, 1993. At the time, he was already married to Meri Brown, and he would go on to marry Christine Brown and Robyn Brown before all was said and done. Janelle and Kody had six children together, but their son, Garrison Brown, tragically died in 2024.

Janelle was a businesswoman with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, so she was one of the Brown family’s main breadwinners. Known for her laid-back, independent nature, the Sister Wives season 19 star was previously married to Meri’s brother. Janelle separated from Kody in December 2022 after nearly 30 years. In 2025, she announced a “detox” plan to focus on emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, relocating to North Carolina to be near her daughter Madison. Janelle remains a resilient figure, prioritizing her children and grandchildren while navigating life post-separation. Read on to find out the real reason Janelle left Kody.

Janelle Actually Enjoyed Being In A Polygamous Marriage

She Liked The Independence It Afforded Her

While some of Kody’s wives hated having to share their husband with other women, Janelle embraced polygamy. Raised in a mainstream Mormon household, the Sister Wives season 19 star was drawn to the polygamist lifestyle’s sense of community and shared responsibilities, which aligned with her independent nature. Janelle appreciated the support system of sister wives, believing it fostered a collaborative family dynamic. She valued the economic benefits and division of labor, allowing her to pursue her career. However, her perspective shifted over time due to Kody’s favoritism and strained family ties, leading to their separation in 2022.

During Sister Wives season 19, Janelle reflected on her life as Kody’s second wife. She spoke candidly about the fact that she loved that he wasn’t around every night. She claimed that Kody was particular and had a lot of food needs. She enjoyed knowing that he wouldn’t be around all the time, so she could just be comfortable in her own space while focusing on raising her children. While her sister wives resisted the lifestyle, Janelle embraced it fully. She never wanted her marriage to Kody to come to an end, but she felt he gave her no choice.