Signs Kody Brown Will Leave Sister Wives After Season 19 (Would Robyn Brown Stay & The Show Go On Without Him?)

Kody Brown experienced a dramatic fall from grace over the course of Sister Wives ’ 19 seasons. The goofy father of 18 was introduced as the polygamous husband of Meri Brown, Janelle Brown, and Christine Brown. Season 1 saw him add a fourth wife, Robyn Brown. The Browns appeared to have it all, combating stereotypes and standing up against anti-polygamy laws. They settled into four homes in a Las Vegas cul-de-sac - that setup gave the wives independence while preserving the family’s plural culture. However, the Browns’ fate changed as cracks emerged in Kody’s relationships with Meri, Janelle, and Christine.

As Kody’s marriages fell apart, the dark side of his personality emerged. His lack of affection drove Christine away, and she was the first wife to leave the family. Kody’s stubbornness caused estrangement from many of his children, resulting in Janelle’s decision to dissolve their marriage. Finally, Meri reached her breaking point after enduring Kody’s cold behavior for years. Now, Kody’s nonexistent relationships with his ex-wives and most of his children could jeopardize his Sister Wives future.

Kody No Longer Believes In Plural Marriage

Polygamy Was The Foundation Of Sister Wives

Now that Kody is living monogamously with Robyn, his views on religion and marriage have changed. Kody no longer follows the family’s former faith, which is what called him to plural marriage in the first place. He now admits that polygamy "kills emotional intimacy” and fosters a sense of competition that is inherently damaging.

During an emotional visit to the family’s former Las Vegas neighborhood, Kody ruminated on what he’d lost. He spoke fondly about the happier times while acknowledging that he'd never live like that again. Kody admitted that he never wants to get married again, and has come to terms with the impracticality of plural marriage.

In Sister Wives season 19's early episodes, Kody was in denial about the failed marriages. He held on to hope that Janelle would return, while he tried to downplay his 30-year relationship with Meri. As the season progressed, Kody showed signs of accepting his fate. He and Robyn are now settled into a traditional marriage, which strays from the show’s initial purpose of providing an inside look at polygamy.

Kody And Robyn Hide Their Real Lives From The Cameras

Viewers Have Grown Tired Of Their Secrecy

Over the years, Kody and Robyn have begun tightly controlling their image. When the family lived in Las Vegas, they offered unfiltered glimpses into their lives. However, since Kody and Robyn’s move to Flagstaff, cameras have rarely been allowed inside their home. While they blamed this on COVID precautions, the couple also faced criticism from the rest of the family, after purchasing a mansion using family funds. Kody and Robyn may hide their luxurious lifestyle from viewers amid speculation that they’ve mishandled the family's money.

Kody and Robyn’s children used to play a large role in Sister Wives, with the youngest even being born on-camera. Since they now make appearances less frequently, it feels like Kody and Robyn's portrayal is curated for public consumption. The couple's scenes are limited to brief interactions, which often take place outside their home. Their lack of transparency results in a minimal presence on the show, and Kody's absence would hardly be missed.

David Is Replacing Kody As The Brown Family Patriarch

Christine's Quick Rebound May Cause Kody To Leave Out Of Embarrassment

Kody’s ego is taking a big hit from the addition of Christine’s new husband, David Woolley. David and Christine’s engagement has dominated Sister Wives season 19, pushing Kody and Robyn to the side. Christine’s moved on from her former life, and she has little time left to talk about Kody and polygamy.

Furthermore, David is stepping up for Kody’s children amid his absence. After their initial hesitation, Christine’s children — and even some of Janelle’s — have accepted David as a father figure. Kody has no relationship with many of his adult kids, leaving plenty of room in their lives for David. While David isn’t replacing him as a father, he fills the role previously held by Kody in Sister Wives, paving the way for Kody’s exit.

Sister Wives Could Continue Without Kody

His Family Wouldn't Notice His Absence

Now that his family has crumbled and rebuilt without him, Kody’s role has become nonessential. He’s no longer the patriarch he once claimed to be. Although Christine and Janelle remain close, neither are close to Kody or Robyn. Kody has allowed his relationships to deteriorate to the point that he could seamlessly remove himself from the show.

If Kody were to leave Sister Wives, that doesn’t necessarily mean Robyn would follow. She still clings to the idea of plural marriage, even though Kody abandoned it long ago. Robyn wants a relationship with her former sister wives and Kody’s children. If Kody decides his ego can’t take any more beatings, and he leaves the show, it’s possible Robyn would want to maintain the sole connection she has to her beloved polygamous past.

Kody began Sister Wives as a tribute to his polygamous lifestyle. However, as his family grew, it became clear that his wives were the ones holding everything together. Kody became lost, particularly as his fondness for Robyn did so much damage. With his marriages dissolved, and his ego bruised, it’s easy to see why Kody might choose to leave the show, and his polygamous past, behind him for good.