Kody and Janelle Brown Relationship Timeline: The shocking transition from Meri Brown's sister-in-law to co-wife

Unlike with his other wives, Kody Brown shares a strong 'cerebral connection' with his second wife Janelle Brown
Kody and Janelle Brown (TLC)
Kody and Janelle Brown (TLC)

'Sister Wives'- TLC's wildly popular yet controversial show gives us a peek into the life of a polygamist family, The Browns. The family's patriarch, Kody Brown's life alongside his four wives- Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn Brown, and their eighteen children, are documented on the show.  While watching the show if you ever wondered how on earth Kody managed to meet these women and fell in love with them, and also get them to agree to his polygamist lifestyle, then you're not alone. 

For the longest time, Kody was legally married to only his first wife, Meri. Although, he eventually divorced her to marry his fourth wife, Robyn, in between he had two marriage ceremonies, where he added two more wives to his family, but as "spiritual wives". His first spiritual wife aka Janelle, and he share a rather interesting love story. Read on to know more about the couple's relationship.

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Janelle and Kody Brown (Instagram)

Janelle Brown used to be married to Meri Brown's brother

Much before joining the Brown family, Janelle already had a connection with Kody Brown. Turns out, Janelle was married to Meri's brother, Adam Barber. Janelle and Adam reportedly had a very short, and tumultuous marriage that lasted from 1988 to 1990. The marriage ended with a divorce, although the reasons for it haven't been revealed by either Janelle or Meri. 

Following the divorce, Meri and her family decided to keep in touch with Janelle to ensure that she was doing alright after the end of her marriage. Even Kody played an active role in ensuring that Janelle was fine. In his 2012 autobiography, 'Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage', Kody wrote, "We both knew that Janelle had endured a rough period during her short-lived marriage, and we wanted to make sure that she remained close with Meri’s family despite the divorce. We, as well as Meri’s parents, were looking out for Janelle purely because we cared about her. There was never any thought in my mind, or in Meri’s, of Janelle becoming a wife.” In fact, Kody and Janelle remained just friends for a very long time, before anything romantic transpired between them. Over the years, we saw Janelle and Meri's relationship deteriorate, while Kody's and hers strengthened. 

Kody Brown and Janelle Brown (TLC)

Janelle and Kody's "true love story" took years to begin

Since Janelle and Kody shared a strong friendship, it took them a while to develop romantic feelings for each other. The couple didn't immediately fall head over heels in love with each other even after their wedding in 1993. Janelle revealed in Kody's autobiography that it took several years for the couple's "true love story" to begin. But after it started, things seem to be going really well between the couple.

Janelle Brown (TLC)

Although most fans believe that Kody's fourth wife- Robyn is his favorite wife, some fans strongly feel that in reality, Janelle might be his most favorite wife, as she is the most independent and least problematic amongst all of Kody's wives. Janelle also revealed that Kody and she share a "cerebral connection", which further adds to the argument that she might in fact be Kody's favorite. Janelle and Kody have six children together, and two grandchildren. 

'Sister Wives' Season 15 is all set to premiere on Sunday, February 14, at 10/9c on TLC. 

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