.jpg)
4 hours ago
2
Why Sister Wives' Kody Brown Has a Strained Relationship With "Most" of His Adult Kids
Madison Brush is protecting her peace.
The Sister Wives star shared insight into her relationship with her estranged dad Kody Brown after sharing an inspirational quote on social media about deciding what is “worth your energy.”
When a follower replied to Madison, 29, saying they “lack this skill,” she shared a screenshot of her DM response on her Instagram Stories Oct. 10, which read, “Your dad saying lies about you for the entire world to hear teaches it to you REAL QUICK.”
In a subsequent IG Stories post, the reality star responded to an anonymous question wondering whether she had sought “professional therapy” to work through her complex relationship with her father.
“Yes. I see a professional therapist on and off,” she wrote. “I have benefited a lot from this. I think anyone [who] comes from complex family dynamics could benefit from it.”
Madison—who shares kids Axel, 8, Evie, 6, Josephine, 2, and Emilia, 6 months, with husband Caleb Brush—recently detailed her yearlong estrangement from Kody, 56, on the TLC series, becoming emotional as she reflected on the distance between them.
“You want your dad to show up,” she said through tears during the show’s Sept. 28 episode. “You want reconciliation. I know I played a part and I’m angry because I’m still trying to learn to not be disappointed.”
But as Madison navigates her feelings, she made it clear she has empathy for her dad as well.
Instagram; Stewart Cook / FOX
“I’m still learning how to see him for who he is,” she added. “I’m trying to understand that maybe he didn’t know how to show up. He might be hurting.”
As for Kody, the father of 18 recently shared his take on the strained dynamic between himself and many of his kids.
“I think most of the relationships between me and my adult children are strained,” he acknowledged on the Oct. 5 episode of Sister Wives. “It's an issue of trash talk and innuendo, and it has challenged loyalties and trust on all sides.”
For more on all of Kody’s kids, keep reading.
Logan Taylor Brown
Born May 21, 1994, Logan is the oldest son of Kody Brown and Janelle Brown. He is also the eldest child of 18 in Kody's entire brood.
After graduating with a master's degree in business administration from the University of Nevada in 2020, he married Michelle Petty two years later.
Aspyn Kristin Thompson (née Brown)
Aspyn is the oldest child of Kody and Christine Brown. She was born on March 14, 1995.
Also a University of Nevada alum, Aspyn tied the knot with Mitch Thompson in 2018. She announced her pregnancy in April 2025.
Leon "Leo" Brown
Born on July 29, 1995, Leon is the only child of Kody and Meri Brown.
In 2020, Leon came out as transgender, sharing that they were previously "socialized as a girl."
"I was pretty young & unfortunately i grew up in a context that was incredibly gendered & restrictive," Leon—who also goes by "Leo"—wrote on Instagram. "and here’s the thing, i’m finally ready to share my favorite self with the world. and that self is incredibly genderqueer, trans, and unapologetic."
Leon married Audrey Kiss in 2020 at a Colorado courthouse wedding.
Mykelti Ann Padron (née Brown)
The second of Kody and Christine's children, Mykelti was born on June 9, 1996.
She married Antonio "Tony" Padron in 2016 in a wedding ceremony documented on Sister Wives. The couple are parents to daughter Avalon and twin sons Archer and Ace.
Madison Rose Brush (née Brown)
Janelle gave birth to Madison—her second child with Kody—on Nov. 3, 1995.
After studying at Utah State University, Madison married Caleb Brush in 2016. The pair share kids Axel, Evangalynn and Josephine.
Hunter Elias Brown
Janelle and Kody welcomed Hunter—their third child together—on Feb. 9, 1997.
Hunter graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 2020, before studying nursing at Johns Hopkins University.
Paedon Rex Brown
Christine gave birth to her and Kody's third child together on Aug. 7, 1998.
Robert Garrison Brown
Born Oct. 31, 1998, Garrison was Kody and Janelle's third youngest child together. He died by suicide on March 5, 2024 at age 25.
David "Dayton" Preston Brown
Dayton is the oldest child of Kody's fourth wife Robyn Brown from her past marriage with Preston Jessop. He was adopted into the family in 2015, five years after Robyn spiritually married Kody.
In 2014, Kody legally divorced his first wife Meri so he could marry Robyn and officially adopt Dayton as his son.
Gabriel Winn Brown
Nicknamed Gabe, the fifth child of Kody and Janelle was born on Oct. 11, 2001.
Gwendlyn Genielle Queiroz (née Brown)
Kody and Christine welcomed their fourth child on Oct. 15, 2001.
Gwendlyn tied the knot with Beatriz Queiroz in 2023.
Aurora Alice Brown
Aurora is the second oldest child of Robyn. She was legally adopted by Kody in 2015 after he married Robyn the prior year.
Ysabel Paige Brown
Kody and Christine welcomed their fifth child together on June 13, 2003.
Her struggles with scoliosis have been documented on Sister Wives.
Breanna Rose Brown
Breanna is Robyn's third child from her marriage to Preston. After Robyn married Kody, Breanna and her older siblings were legally adopted into the family.
Savanah Brown
Kody and Janelle welcomed their youngest child together on Dec. 7, 2004. The exes reunited for Savanah's high school graduation in 2023.
Truely Grace Brown
Born on April 13, 2010, Truely is the youngest child of Kody and Christine.
Solomon Kody Brown
Kody and Robyn welcomed their second youngest son on Oct. 27, 2011.
Ariella Mae Brown
Born on Jan. 10, 2016, Ariella is the youngest daughter of Kody and Robyn. She is also the youngest child of 18 in the entire Brown family.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
English (US)