Sister Wives star hints at departure after 20 seasons following painful split from Kody Brown

Janelle Brown, longtime star of TLC’s Sister Wives, has suggested she may be ready to step away from the reality series after more than a decade on air, following her split from Kody Brown.

Brown, 56, who announced a spiritual separation from Kody in December 2022, shared an Instagram post over the weekend that signaled a potential end to her time on the show.

Janelle Brown

The post included a sunset video and an overlayed message reading, “Women don’t break. We shed. And what’s underneath is even stronger.” In the caption, she opened up about life changes, including ending her marriage and starting over in midlife.

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“I used to think I’d ‘broken’ at certain points in my life,” she wrote.

“Leaving the show… leaving a marriage… starting over at an age where everyone expects you to have it all figured out. I kept looking at the pieces and thinking something must be wrong with me.”

Brown continued, “But now, standing where I am, I can see it differently. None of those moments were breaking points. They were shedding points. Old expectations. Old versions of myself. Old identities that were never really mine.”

She added, “Shedding feels painful while you’re in it, but on the other side you realize you didn’t lose yourself… you uncovered her. And if you’re in a season like that too… if everything feels like it’s falling apart… just hold on. Most of the time, it’s actually falling away.”

The post drew attention from fans who interpreted the message as a quiet exit from the series.

“If you’re leaving, I hope it’s for a new show about yourself,” one follower wrote.

Another supporter added, “Thank you for sharing your life on TLC. You’ve gotta do what’s right for you.”

Brown also shared Instagram Stories mentioning how “life feels quieter” and that she’s taking time to “heal.”

Janelle Brown© FilmMagic

The Utah native and mother of six had clashed with Kody during the most recent season of Sister Wives, particularly over their shared property at Coyote Pass. In April, The U.S. Sun reported that Kody, Janelle, Robyn, and Meri had divided the $1.5 million proceeds from the land after months of disputes.

Janelle and Kody share children Logan, Madison, Hunter, Gabriel, Savanah, and Garrison, who died by suicide in March at age 25. In recent years, Janelle has remained close to her adult children, several of whom have publicly distanced themselves from their father.

Janelle’s possible departure would follow earlier exits by fellow sister wives Christine and Meri, leaving Robyn as the only remaining wife in the polygamist family.