The Most Explosive Betrayals in ‘Sister Wives’ History
TLC’s Sister Wives has delivered more than a decade of drama, heartbreak, and shocking betrayals. What started as a show about a polygamous family navigating life quickly turned into a spectacle of crumbling relationships, secret alliances, and power struggles. Over the years, some betrayals have been so big that they left fans speechless. Here are some of the biggest in Sister Wives history.
Meri’s catfishing scandal was the first major ‘Sister Wives’ betrayal
One of the most infamous betrayals in the Sister Wives universe was Meri Brown’s catfishing scandal in 2015. Feeling isolated in her marriage to Kody Brown, Meri sought companionship online.
However, she was deceived. The person she was talking to was reportedly a woman posing as a man.
The fallout was devastating within the Brown family. Kody saw it as an emotional affair, and it deepened the cracks in their already struggling marriage. Fans saw Meri’s actions as a sign that she was unhappy in her polygamous lifestyle. The scandal became one of the first major signs that the Brown family was falling apart.
Despite attempts at reconciliation, Kody never forgave Meri, and their relationship never recovered. However, Kody wasn’t truthful either. He claimed he was deceived when he had already committed himself to Robyn Brown as his number-one wife.
Kody and Robyn’s secret power play was a betrayal of the family, and ‘Sister Wives’ fans
When Kody Brown welcomed Robyn into the family, Meri, Janelle, and Christine Brown couldn’t have predicted the seismic shift her presence would cause. It appeared that behind the scenes, the couple executed a quiet power play to become monogamous without telling the other women.
As the years unfolded, it became increasingly clear that Robyn was not just another wife, but Kody’s clear favorite. What started as subtle favoritism soon evolved into a full-blown rift. Kody began prioritizing Robyn’s needs over those of his other wives, eroding the foundation of the plural marriage they had all once agreed upon.
The real betrayal, however, came when Kody and Robyn reportedly made key decisions about the family’s future without involving Kody’s other wives. From financial choices to where the family would live, major life moves were allegedly orchestrated by the couple in secret, leaving Meri, Janelle, and Christine blindsided.
This betrayal of trust didn’t just cause tension, it shattered the core of the Brown family’s dynamic. It also marked the beginning of the end for their once-unified household.
Christine left Kody because he wasn’t honest
When Christine Brown announced her decision to leave Kody in 2021, it sent shockwaves through the Sister Wives fandom. For years, Christine had been vocal about feeling like an outsider in her family, especially after Robyn joined the clan.
Kody’s favoritism toward Robyn grew increasingly undeniable, pushing Christine to her breaking point. She officially left the marriage in 2021. But Christine had emotionally and mentally checked out long before making her exit public.
To Christine, the ultimate betrayal wasn’t just Kody’s emotional distance; it was his refusal to be intimate with her while continuing to nurture a close, affectionate relationship with Robyn. When Christine finally packed her bags and moved to Utah, it wasn’t just a breakup with Kody, it was a complete rejection of the plural marriage lifestyle.
Her departure marked a historic turning point for Sister Wives. It signaled the foundation of the Brown family was not just cracked, but crumbling.
Kody’s Broken Promises to Janelle
Janelle Brown’s loyalty to Kody Brown was put to the test when she realized that he wasn’t treating all of his wives equally, especially when it came to finances. Over the years, Janelle contributed a significant amount of money toward the family’s expenses and the infamous Coyote Pass property.
However, when she needed support to build her own home, Kody broke his marriage vow. He and Robyn Brown maintained a lavish lifestyle while Janelle struggled for housing for her and Kody’s children.
This financial betrayal became a major turning point in Janelle’s relationship with Kody. She saw that Robyn and Kody were operating as a monogamous couple while expecting the other wives to keep funding the family’s lifestyle.
In 2022, Janelle finally walked away, realizing she deserved more than broken promises and empty commitments. She eventually got a lawyer to ensure she was equally compensated for the money she put into Coyote Pass before it was paid off in 2023.
On Mar. 27, 2025, Coconino County, Arizona, property records showed Kody and Robyn transferred a portion of Coyote Pass to Meri Brown and Janelle. Kody and Robyn now own 50 percent, while Janelle and Meri now own 25 percent each. The property has not yet been sold.
From emotional affairs to financial betrayals, Sister Wives has seen its fair share of shocking moments. With Meri’s scandal, Kody and Robyn’s lies, Christine’s bold departure, and Janelle’s realization of financial injustice, it’s clear trust within the family has been shattered beyond repair.
As the show continues, fans are left wondering if this is the beginning of the end for Sister Wives. More information is set to be revealed during the final episodes of Season 19 which air beginning April 20 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.
