Summary
Sister WivesstarMeri Brownis no longer holding back about her experiences with polygamy.Meri opened up about her marriage to KodyBrown, as well as her relationships with former sister wives Janelle Brown, Christine Brown, and Robyn Brown. Meri also revealed whether she would consider being in another polygamous marriage.
Meri was introduced duringSister Wivesseason 1 as the first wife of Kody.The show documented Kody’s relationships with his four wives and 18 children. While the family had its share of ups and downs, viewers were shocked when Meri, Janelle, and Christine all left Kody within a year. Although Meri had previously remained tight-lipped about her marriage, she is now giving insight into what life was really like in the polygamous family.
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Meri Opened Up About Her Polygamous Upbringing
She Was Raised Hiding Her Family’s Lifestyle
Meri appeared on theMiss Understood with Rachel Uchitelpodcast.She began her podcast appearance by providing some context about her own family.She was born in northern California to polygamous parents who were excommunicated from the mainstream Mormon church due to their practice of polygamy. Meri had six full siblings and a total of 25 siblings across her parents’ plural family.
She reported that while some of her siblings are fine with her publicizing her lifestyle, others are still uncomfortable with it.
The secretive nature of polygamy played a large role in Meri’s upbringing.Polygamy was illegal in Utah, so Meri’s family kept their lifestyle hidden to protect her parents from prosecution.This insight explains the root of Meri’s reserved behavior. From as far back as she can remember, she has been guarded from fear of being taken away from her family. It is understandable how some of Meri’s family never grew comfortable with her decision to be open about her plural marriage.
During the podcast, Meri also explained the dynamic she witnessed between her mother and her father’s other wives. There was some unease between the women, which is something Meri also later experienced in her marriage. As a child, Meri was taught jealousy was wrong, and only later did she realize feelings of jealousy were normal in polygamy. “I don’t know that you may have a plural family without there being some sort of jealousy,” Meri admitted.
The Start Of Meri And Kody’s Relationship Was Fun And Loving
She Contradicted Kody’s Claim That He Never Loved Her
Meri’s recollection of her courtship with Kody is a reminder of how young and naïve they were at the start of their relationship. Meri was only 19 when she married Kody. Describing her dating experience before Kody as “basically nonexistent,” Meri revealed she and Kody did not kiss until a week after their engagement. The couple knew one another for six months before their wedding. Meri and Kody were essentially children, and their early life together without children or other wives was vastly different from the life shown onSister Wives.
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They also agreed from the beginning that they would live their church’s mission of plural marriage.
Meri detailed Kody’s strong interest in her when they met, “contrary to what he says now.”She described young Kody as “fun” and “jovial” at the start of their relationship,and she spoke fondly about their first years together. Meri and Kody traveled and lived wherever they wanted to, enjoying the flexibility of early adulthood. However, they also agreed from the beginning that they would live their church’s mission of plural marriage.
Meri Does Not Want To Be In Another Plural Marriage, But She Believes Polygamy Can Work
She Says Successful Polygamy Requires Dedication By All Parties
Although Meri and her sister wives have had plenty of disagreements over the years,Meri sang the praises of the lifestyle when it came to raising children.She explained that all the wives essentially raised their children together, trading childcare responsibilities, so they never needed outside help. Considering Meri’s fertility struggle, she cherished the ability to help raise her sister wives children and give her child siblings. Meri confirmed that despite the hard times, when the wives were getting along and communicating, their family setup was perfect.
However,she confidently stated that although she does want to get married again,Meri is not interested in another polygamous marriage.She clarified that she does believe polygamy can be successful if all parties are devoted to making it work, but if just one partner is no longer invested, polygamy is no longer feasible. Although she did not specifically say it, she alluded to this having been the root of the Brown family’s downfall.
Meri Has Made Peace With Her Relationships With Kody And Her Sister Wives
Their Relationship Is Like That Of Distant Relatives
Meri described her current relationships with Kody and her former sister wives as “cordial.”They get along when necessary, butMeri does not seek them out. She explained that the adults of the family had plenty of time to work through their issues during their marriages, and now that the marriages are over, she has moved on. Meri is working on herself and wants to be around people who support her.
She has come to understand that it’s okay to let things go.
While letting go of relationships is always painful, Meri has a positive attitude. She has come to understand that it’s okay to let things go.Meri compared the former sister wives’ relationships to those of grown siblings; some are close, while others only see each other at large gatherings. While Meri said Kody and his wives all believed strongly in polygamy when they lived it, they are now all happy with monogamy.
Meri’s introspection gave a rare behind-the-scenes look intoSister Wivesand the evolution of Kody’s family. She wants viewers to stop thinking of her as a victim, reaffirming that she has no regrets about the experience and has made peace with her marriage ending. Meri now wants to look ahead and focus on her next moves, and in telling her side of the story, she is ready to leave her life with Kody behind.
