Sister Wives’ Meri Asserts Kody and Their Kids Require ‘Time’ to Mend Estrangement
Sister Wives star Meri Brown has observed her ex-husband Kody Brown facing challenges in his relationships with several of his children, including their 29-year-old child, Leon.
“I know that [Kody and Leon] communicate occasionally, but I understand that Kody has been struggling with many of his relationships with his kids, and I hope they can work it out,” Meri, 53, exclusively shared with Us Weekly on Tuesday, December 10. “I believe it will require numerous conversations and healing to make that happen.”
She further stated, “I think any kind of healing takes time and requires the effort of both parties, so that’s something he’ll need to address individually with anyone he wants to mend relationships with.”
Meri and Kody, 55, were married from 1990 until 2014, when the TLC patriarch requested to legally end their marriage to marry Robyn Brown and adopt her three children from a previous relationship. Meri remained spiritually married to Kody for nearly a decade longer until they confirmed their separation in January 2023.
Meri and Kody share a child named Leon, who publicly came out as transgender in 2022 and uses they/them pronouns. Kody also has 17 other children with ex-wives Christine Brown Wooley and Janelle Brown, as well as current wife Robyn, 46. (Kody and Janelle’s son Garrison sadly died by suicide in March at the age of 25.)
Meri noted that she doesn’t “talk very often” with Kody and Robyn.
“I’m focused on moving forward in my life and engaging in activities that enhance my personal growth, which is just part of my past,” she stated on Tuesday, adding that she is only “cordial” with Kody during brief encounters.
“We’re polite when we see each other. We treat each other kindly, but we don’t reach out to have phone calls or text conversations,” Meri clarified. “He often says, ‘We’ll be friends, we’ll be friends,’ but it’s more like, ‘Okay, we’ll be friendly,’ rather than being ‘best friends’ or anything like that. I’m comfortable with it because I need people and situations in my life that contribute positively to my journey — and Kody isn’t one of them.”
According to Meri, she has been relying on Janelle, 55, and a “few other people [who] are my cheerleaders.”
“They truly want the best for me and are eager to support me,” Meri expressed joyfully. “It’s enjoyable… Life is treating me well.”
Meri, who speculated that Kody may not miss her, is currently documenting her new single life on season 19 of TLC’s Sister Wives.
“It’s been great to discover my voice and just remember that it exists,” Meri shared with Us about the latest episodes. “I think I feel a bit more liberated to express my thoughts without worrying about others’ opinions or ensuring that I’m maintaining relationships in the family. It’s like, ‘Listen, I’m ready to be myself. Accept me or don’t.’ [It’s been] incredibly freeing.”
She added, “I am definitely moving on. I suppose there was a period of mourning what I envisioned and hoped it would be, but I now reflect on the good moments as cherished memories and accept them for what they were. I’m simply in a different phase of my life.”
Sister Wives airs on TLC Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
