Christine Brown, star of the popular reality TV show “Sister Wives,” is opening up about the reasons behind her decision to leave her husband, Kody Brown, after 26 years of marriage. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, Christine, 50, revealed that a pivotal moment came when Kody chose not to accompany their daughter Ysabel for her major scoliosis surgery in September 2020. The surgery required travel to New Jersey, but Kody declined due to concerns about traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He broke my little girl’s heart,” Christine said. “I really find it hard to stay with a guy who I don’t respect. I understood COVID, and why he couldn’t come, but she didn’t. And she still has a really hard time with it.”
Christine was there for Ysabel throughout the surgery in New Jersey. She recalled how medical staff questioned her about Kody’s absence, which made her realize the impact it had on their daughter. “It was a good wake-up call,” she said. “In the end, I would’ve preferred to have him there, of course, because it’s what Ysabel needed. But I didn’t need him anymore.”
Before their split in November 2021, Christine and Kody were part of a polygamous marriage that included Kody’s three other wives: Meri, Janelle, and Robyn. Despite their efforts to work on their issues, Christine felt that their relationship lacked communication, trust, and a true partnership. “I needed more communication, more trust, and I realized we didn’t really have a partnership,” she explained.
Christine and Kody share six children: Paedon, 24, Aspyn, 27, Mykelti, 26, Gwendlyn, 20, Ysabel, 19, and Truely, 12. Kody has a total of 18 children with his four wives. Despite their best efforts and professional counseling, Christine felt that their relationship lacked the essential elements of love, commitment, and trust.
Now living in Salt Lake City, Utah, with their daughter Truely, Christine has launched her solo digital series “Cooking with Just Christine” for TLC. She emphasized the importance of listening to one’s heart and making decisions that align with personal happiness. “The most important thing anybody can do is just stop and listen to your heart,” she said. “Once I did, I was like, ‘Oh, okay, then I can’t do this anymore, and I need to figure out how to make the rest of my life how I want it.’”
Christine admitted that she initially felt guilty about making what she thought were selfish decisions. However, she soon realized that taking charge of her life was the right thing to do. “It’s scary, yes, because you don’t know what it looks like, but it’s a lot better than staying where you shouldn’t be,” she said.
The upcoming season of “Sister Wives” will delve into the family’s dynamics and Kody’s latest request to have his own parcel of land on the family’s Coyote Pass property. This request comes after the family rejected Christine’s proposal to relocate back to Utah and Kody’s idea of moving into one giant family home on the property.
Christine’s decision to leave Kody was documented for the TLC show, and she has been open about the positive changes she has experienced since the split. In a recent Instagram post, she shared her journey towards mental clarity and weight loss, emphasizing the importance of embracing positive changes.
“For starters, I just unloaded about 180 lbs. of dead weight when I left Kody!” she wrote. “So many of us have a tendency to fear change. However, I have chosen to embrace positive changes this year. Change can lead to beautiful things, views, and outcomes.”
Christine’s departure from Kody has been a significant turning point in her life, and she hopes to inspire others to take charge of their own happiness. “Watching & waiting doesn’t move anyone forward but rather creates a delay in results,” she said. “If I can offer you a piece of wisdom, it would be – be open to the thought of change – you never know what you’re missing.”
Kody also shared his thoughts on the split, expressing sadness but acknowledging the need to move forward on different paths. “Christine’s decision to leave comes with a great deal of sadness,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
As Christine continues to navigate this new chapter in her life, she remains focused on her personal growth and the well-being of her children. Her journey serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most challenging decisions can lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
