The Real Reason Why Kody And Christine Brown Split

Since its launch in 2010, TLC's hit reality show "Sister Wives” has garnered countless fans. People were curious to see the ins and outs of life as a polygamist family, and the Brown family opened their doors to the world to share every detail of their ups and downs. 

While most states have laws on the books that make living as a polygamist illegal, some have no qualms with a man having multiple wives (via Screen Rant). The show, now boasting 16 seasons, explores the lives of Kody Brown and his multiple wives – Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn — and their blended family, which, as expected, comes with as much drama as it does wholesome family moments.

While the show was controversial at first, fans quickly fell in love with the unconventional family. Despite not fully understanding their world or accepting it, people still watched in fascination. The show repeatedly attempted to portray them as a normal and happy family, but things began to shift for the Browns as the seasons progressed.

On November 2, 2021, Kody's third wife Christine Brown announced on Instagram that she and Kody were separating after 25 years of marriage (via People). The announcement didn't come as a shock, as this wasn't the first split the family has gone through.

Christine Brown isn't the first to leave the family. In fact, the Browns have experienced much more dramatic separations. Brown's first wife, Meri, had a hard time in their relationship after having to legally divorce him so that he could marry his new wife, Robyn. As a result, Meri engaged in an online relationship with someone who turned out to be a catfish. In 2014, the couple officially split (via The Sun). They did try counseling, but it couldn't save their 30-year marriage. On the subject, Meri shared, "The relationship between [Kody and me] is gone, it's dead, it's over" (per The Sun). 

Although the couple is legally divorced, they remained in a "spiritual union" until June 2021 when she officially left (via The Sun). For a while, Meri was the only wife to have ever left the family. Now, it seems Brown is separating from yet another wife.

In Christine's recent Instagram post, she announced her split with Kody. "After more than 25 years together, Kody and I have grown apart and I have made the difficult decision to leave," she wrote. "We will continue to be a strong presence in each other's lives as we parent our beautiful children and support our wonderful family. At this time, we ask for your grace and kindness as we navigate through this stage within our family."

Kody Brown is now down to two wives after separating from his third wife, Christine Brown. Janelle Brown and Kody have been "spiritually married" since 1993, and while she remains with Kody, fans have suspected that she's left in the past — for the same reason they suspect Christine may have left now.

If you watch "Sister Wives," this split is not a surprise at all. The fellow wives have repeatedly expressed their frustration and jealousy of Kody's fourth wife, Robyn Brown. Throughout the show, viewers witness the wives noticing Kody's preferential treatment of Robyn, and Janelle herself has claimed to reach her "wit's end with this whole bull***t stuff" (via BBC Gossip).

According to Us Weekly, Christine has shared her own unhappiness in the marriage on-screen. "I can't do marriage with Kody anymore," she shared during the finale of the show's 15th season. "I don't wanna." The frustrated wife then explained, "Anytime we've had major decisions, I go through a time where I'm like, 'Does my opinion really even matter here?' That's when we struggle the most... is when I feel like I don't really have a say or I don't really have an opinion."

Kody Brown released a rare statement of his own on Instagram following Christine's announcement, writing, "Christine's decision to leave comes with a great deal of sadness. We enjoyed many years together and I have a large amount of respect and admiration for her. Although we are moving forward on different paths, we will always remain committed parents." 

While the separation continues to unfold, more details are sure to emerge, especially with the new Season 16 coming out on November 21, 2021. However, fans have begun to suspect that Christine's departure may be due to the tension that continues to build on the show, as Kody's favoritism and different treatment towards Robyn becomes ever clearer (via Screen Rant). We'll have to wait and see how this drama unfolds on the screen — it's sure to be a juicy season!