Jill Duggar's Husband Clarifies Where He Stands With Jim Bob Duggar

Derick Dillard is setting the record straight.

35-year-old, who featured on TLC’s show “19 Kids and Counting” alongside spouse Jill Duggar, addressed speculations about the harmony in his relationship with his estranged father-in-law Jim Bob Duggar online.

After spotting the reality stars conversing with Jim Bob in their Christmas photo collection, which James Duggar shared on Instagram on December 25th, it appeared as if the holidays had sparked some sort of reconciliation. However, Derick swiftly set the record straight that this was merely a misunderstanding.

Even though he doesn’t greatly admire the 59-year-old individual, Derick made sure that their differences didn’t spoil the tranquility of the festive occasion.

Derick may not think highly of the 59-year-old person, but he never allowed their disagreements to disturb a harmonious family gathering during holidays.

He said, “It’s been more than a year since we were last at that house, and I’ve only spoken to him for less than 10 minutes since then. We’re making an effort to maintain civility due to our family ties, but things aren’t perfect, and I won’t stay silent when people twist the truth to serve their interests.

Of course, Derick and Jill, who have sons Israel (age 9), Samuel (7), and Frederick (2) together, are not new to the challenges that come with life under public scrutiny. In fact, the author of “Counting the Cost” has openly discussed her strained relationship with her parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and how working on the show, which concluded in 2015, ultimately impacted her marriage with Derick negatively.

In a conversation with People magazine in September, Jill expressed that there was undeniably a point of disagreement or conflict between us. She emphasized that regardless of one’s age, it is essential to abide by the wishes of your parents and seek their approval for significant milestones in life.

The 33-year-old went on, discussing potential life changes such as purchasing a home, relocating to another state, or choosing an educational institution. These were significant matters we grappled with frequently when making decisions for our family, constantly debating the pros and cons.

Moreover, Derick offered his unique viewpoint on the reported strained relationship between Jill and her parents, as he personally observed their interactions.

In an interview, Derick explained, “Whenever our ideas for filming didn’t align with his thoughts, he would speak words that could be highly detrimental.” He added, “He often used our relationship as a weapon by asking, ‘Is this really Jill or is it Derek? Are you guiding your wife wrong and doing actions unsupportive of marriage?’ I believe that was a warning sign.

To learn more about the enormous Duggar family tree, keep reading…

Originally a pair of high school sweethearts, these two eventually became the proud parents of 19 children, as well as grandparents to more than three dozen young ones.

Michelle mentions that she feels as though she was rescued when she was 15 years old. On a particular night, Jim Bob was carrying out home visits for his Baptist church, and after hearing from a friend that “a girl from school who recently found faith and is a cheerleader” lived at the Ruark residence, he ended up knocking on their door.

Michelle was asked to attend Sunday school at a church by her future spouse, Jim Bob. He hoped that God would make them each other’s spiritual guides—although it seems their initial encounter didn’t stand out much for Michelle. A year later, she applied for a job at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s parents. In a letter posted on their family blog in 2017 for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary, Michelle wrote about meeting him: “You stood behind the counter where I was working, and we exchanged introductions. You were timid but quite charming! The only thing I remember clearly from that conversation is when you gathered the courage to ask me if I would accompany you to your junior-senior banquet!

At Shiloh Christian, they both went to a dinner together, but it wasn’t until they spent hours discussing the Bible at her family home afterward that she felt their bond deepen. As Michelle put it, “That’s when our hearts became one.” They completed high school in May of 1984 and got married in July; Michelle was just 17 years old, while Jim Bob was 19.

The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.

Jim Bob once held the position of a state legislator in Arkansas, serving from 1999 to 2002 in the House of Representatives for the sixth district. During his tenure, he acted as vice chair of the Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. His political career included a run for U.S. Senate in 2002 which was unsuccessful, as well as an attempt in 2006 to become the Republican nominee for Arkansas State Senate District 35, but this bid also did not lead to victory.

They, along with Michelle, who are both real estate agents with valid licenses, have been actively involved in conservative movements – a part of their lifestyle that has earned them admirers (as supporters) and critics (as fiercely opposed parties). This duo was also notable for supporting and critiquing the TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” which initially premiered as “17 Kids and Counting” in 2008.

As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.

The oldest Duggar son, Josh Duggar, came into this world on March 3, 1988. Likewise, he took up the mantle of conservative activism and advocated for the Family Research Council.

In 2015, police records from the past emerged, detailing allegations against him of molesting multiple girls, including his sisters Jessa Duggar and Jill Duggar, when he was a young man. Later in June of that same year, Jessa publicly defended her brother during an interview with Fox News, stating that the harsh comments people were making about Josh were “excessive and false, really.” She could say this because she herself was one of the victims.

His wife, Anna Duggar, who he wedded during a September 26, 2008, ceremony showcased on ’19 Kids and Counting’, remained loyal to him even after he confessed to infidelity.

In 2016, when he entered a rehabilitation facility, his parents considered it as the vital initial move towards recovery and healing.

As an enthusiastic admirer, I’d rephrase it like this:

I, a devoted fan, am in awe of the Duggar family, particularly the parents who welcomed their children Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011), Marcus (June 2, 2013), and Meredith (born July 16, 2015) into the world. Interestingly enough, on the same day TLC canceled “19 Kids,” little Meredith made her grand entrance. The family continued to grow with the birth of their fifth child, Mason Garett, on September 12, 2017, followed by Maryella Hope on November 27, 2019. Most recently, baby No. 7, Madyson Lily, joined the Duggar clan on October 23, 2021.

Back in April 2021, Josh faced multiple charges related to child pornography – one for receiving and another for possessing such content. He pleaded not guilty on both charges. Later in 2022, after a trial, he was found guilty of both offenses, but the possession charge was later dismissed by the judge. As a result, Josh received a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison for his actions.

Following Josh’s birth, Michelle became pregnant once more, however, she experienced a miscarriage. As they were still mourning this loss and seeking divine direction, they learned that twins were coming into their lives.

She shared that it felt like a special gift twice over, as if God was offering reassurance. We’re still growing and learning, and it’s quite extraordinary since I breastfeed my children, yet they are so closely spaced in age. In our unique circumstances, it seems the Lord has chosen to perform another unexpected act.

John David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.

Following a lengthy acquaintance (they had been familiar with each other for several years), a chance encounter at a church gathering in Oklahoma, where Abbie resides, led to their whirlwind romance. After a brief engagement, John David and Abbie-Grace Burnett tied the knot on November 3, 2018.

On January 7, 2020, they happily welcomed their daughter Grace Annette Duggar into the world, while their son Charlie Duggar joined the family in September 2022.

On their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana wrote a heartfelt message to John: “From when we were young, people often asked if John and I had that ‘twin sense’. You know, the feeling of knowing what the other is experiencing or thinking… Well, John, I’ve always said no to that, but now, on the day little Gracie was born, I felt every ounce of joy you did. So it seems there might be something to this twin thing after all!

Jana went on saying, “It’s heartwarming to see you and Abbie in your parental roles. You two are just naturally good at it! The traits that make you such a fantastic brother will undoubtedly turn you into an exceptional father.

Jana observed as 11 out of her 18 siblings tied the knot before she encountered love with Stephen Wissmann – whose sister Hannah is wed to Jeremiah, one of her own brothers – yet, even though she acknowledged occasional annoyances, she held firm in believing it was all according to God’s design.

In August 2024, just prior to her wedding, Jana expressed to People that she hasn’t always grasped the overall plan, but she trusts that God knows what is best for everyone. Therefore, she chose to get married later in life. She conveyed, “If each of our lives weren’t unique, it would make for a monotonous existence.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I was born on May 17, 1991, and in a beautiful twist of fate, my love story mirrors that of my parents’. The remarkable encounter with my husband Derick took place during the festive season of Christmas 2011. While out caroling with his church group, he happened to stop by our family residence, unknowingly setting the stage for our future together.

Jim Bob served as a matchmaker, leading Jill and Derick to find a connection through emails and video calls. In November, the father-daughter duo visited Derick in Nepal, strengthening their bond even further. Their relationship continued to deepen, and by February 2014, Derick asked Jim Bob for his daughter’s hand in marriage. They exchanged vows on June 21, 2014, and have since become parents to three sons: Israel (born April 6, 2015), Samuel (born July 8, 2017), and Frederick (born July 7, 2022).

In the month of April 2024, Jill announced that they had experienced a miscarriage, which was their anticipated first daughter with Derick.

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets“, which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick pondered over the debates and spiritual convictions linked to her family, as depicted in the series.

Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa encountered Ben at church and he started pursuing her romantically in 2013 – an old-fashioned courtship method that was quite novel for many viewers. They didn’t discuss their relationships before getting engaged, so Jim Bob clarified to People magazine, “Courtship involves getting to know each other in a group setting, with both families spending time together and the couple establishing shared goals to determine if they are suitable for marriage. Dating often means couples spend a lot of one-on-one time together, which can sometimes lead to a more intimate relationship.

Ben asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage and proposed in August 2014, officially committing themselves by holding hands for the first time. They tied the knot on November 1, 2014. At this point, Jessa was expecting their first child, and shortly after, the show 19 Kids and Counting was taken off the air. TLC then aired a special about sexual abuse, which included Jill and Jessa, to educate viewers on the topic. That winter, they became the stars of their own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On. Later, this series transformed into Counting On, featuring other Duggar siblings as well.

Between November 5, 2015, and December 2023, Jessa and Ben added four more family members: Spurgeon (born in 2015), Henry (born in 2017), Ivy Jane (born in 2019), Fern (born in July 2021). Unfortunately, Jessa experienced a miscarriage during the 2022 holiday season. However, she gave birth to her fifth child, George, in December 2023.

The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.

Jinger and Jeremy first encountered each other while engaged in religious work in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in the year 2016. Their wedding took place on November 5, 2016, which coincidentally was also the birthday of Jinger’s nephew Spurgeon (and it can be quite challenging to avoid overlapping milestones when you’re part of a large family with 19 members). Shortly after their marriage, speculation about pregnancy began circulating.

In a year, we expect to have settled in, continuing our ministry in Laredo, and simply aiming to serve the Lord in whatever capacity we can. This is what Jinger expressed on a June 2017 episode of Counting On.

On July 19, 2018, their precious child named Felicity came into the world. Back in May of that year, they announced that Jinger was expecting another child, and sadly, she had experienced a miscarriage the previous autumn. In November 2020, they were blessed with Evangeline Jo’s arrival.

Jinger and Jeremy shared in October 2024 that their third child is due in March 2025.

Born on January 20, 1995, Joseph Duggar found himself proposing to Kendra, whom he had met through church, during the romantic backdrop of his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017, having courted for only a few short months prior.

In a conversation with People magazine, Joseph shared that he was undoubtedly anxious before proposing, but he wasn’t worried she would decline because she had already expressed, “I’m just waiting on you!” After the proposal, Kendra exclaimed, “I’m overjoyed and utterly surprised. There are so many things I want to express, but all I can say is shocked.

Since then, they’ve shared news about the births of their son Garrett (born in June 2018), their daughter Addison (born in November 2019), and their most recent addition, daughter Brooklyn (born in February 2021).

Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.

A few months into their public relationship, they made their engagement official in March 2018. He declared that the location where he proposed to Lauren was the very same spot where her parents got engaged. This site holds a great deal of family history, making it particularly significant for Lauren.

Michelle, Lauren’s future mother-in-law, expressed her love for Lauren in a blog post video, saying, “Lauren is truly special to us.” Jessa and Ben joined in the celebration, along with gifts of chocolate shaped like X’s and O’s. Michelle then playfully hinted at an early kiss, gesturing towards a sweet treat she was holding up as a possible consolation.

In the summer of 2015, a relationship with Marjorie Jackson ended amicably, and they chose separate paths. As Josiah looked back in March 2016 to People magazine, he reminisced that their time together was enjoyable. They were simply trying to listen to God’s guidance throughout everything, but Marjorie didn’t feel it was the appropriate moment then, so they took a break for a while.

On June 30, 2018, they officially got married, and according to them, their wedding day was “just perfect.” Their first child, Bella Milagro, was born on November 8, 2019, which means “miracle baby” in translation. This was significant as the couple had previously experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. In 2022, they welcomed another daughter named Daisy, and their son Ezra joined the family in May 2023.

Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.

She had been friends with Austin Forsyth for a period of fifteen years before he expressed romantic interest. Following this development, they moved swiftly. He popped the question in February 2017 and tied the knot on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas – the very same church where Joseph proposed to Kendra.

Joy-Anna and Austin had their first child, Gideon Martin Forsyth, on February 23, 2018. They welcomed Evelyn Mae Forsyth into their family on August 21, 2020. Their third child, Gunner James Forsyth, was born on May 17, 2023.

On December 30, 1998, Jim Bob and Michelle welcomed their twin sons, Jed Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar, into the world.

In February 2017, it became known that Jed was interning at the state capitol, his father’s former workplace, for the Arkansas House of Representatives. At just 21 years old, he later ran as a candidate for State Representative in District 89, with a focus on upholding Springdale’s conservative principles. After a year of courtship, Jed married Katey Nakatsu in April 2021. They welcomed their first child, Truett, in May 2022, and Nora Kate joined the family in June 2023.

Jed and Katey announced in July 2024 that they have twin girls on the way.

As a hopelessly devoted aviator and husband to the remarkable Hannah Wissmann, I am beyond thrilled to share our heartwarming family journey. In the beautiful tapestry of life, we’ve been blessed with two precious daughters: the radiant Brynley, who graced us with her presence in December 2022, and our vibrant Brielle, who arrived in February 2024. The joy they bring to our lives is simply immeasurable!

No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.

Back in January 2017, the Daily Mail revealed that Jim Bob aided Jase in purchasing a $33,000 property requiring repairs in Prairie Grove, AR, which is roughly half an hour from the Duggar family’s main residence. Over time, he established his own construction business thereafter.

In May 2024, he made their relationship public on Instagram with Maddie Grace, and they got married the next October.

Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.

He doesn’t have a public romantic relationship yet, but he’s very loving towards his numerous nieces and nephews.

On his 19th birthday in 2019, mom Michelle described James as the beloved “fun uncle” of the neighborhood, with all the younger boys admiring him and aspiring to be like him. James possesses an extraordinary ability to accomplish almost anything he conceives, having shown remarkable mechanical skills even as a child. The family would often find James tinkering with household appliances, dismantling them to understand their workings, reassembling them, and occasionally making unique improvements!

This year, James put in a lot of effort to earn his Commercial Driver’s License, and now he’s mastered operating all types of large trucks and heavy equipment! We’re eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for him as destined by fate.

No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.

And from the department of growing up so fast…

In September of 2020, Justin made their relationship with Claire Spivey known to the public. They became engaged a month later in November, and tied the knot on February 26, 2021.

In the company of his elder sister Jill, Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifteenth offspring, Jackson Duggar, made his arrival on May 23, 2004.

On his 16th birthday, Michelle, Jackson’s mom, commended his wit and mentioned how eager she knew he was to obtain his driving license.

Johannah Duggar was born on October 11, 2005, which is why the first family special was titled “16 Kids and Moving In“.

In a post on her daughter’s 15th birthday in 2020, Michelle expressed that the girl is full of fun and sociable, enjoying meeting new people. She added that her younger siblings simply idolize her and believe she’s as wonderful as the moon itself. Lastly, Michelle shared her heartfelt gratitude to God for allowing her to be this daughter’s mother.

Jennifer Duggar arrived on Aug. 2, 2007, then the baby of the family.

Their TLC show that premiered Sept. 29, 2008, was christened 17 Kids and Counting.

Now, OMG, she’s a teenager.

Michelle expressed that Jennifer is reliable, devoted, and always brings joy when her granddaughter turned 13. The nieces and nephews adore her so much they often don’t want her to put them down. Furthermore, Jennifer has a deep affection for animals and diligently cares for her pets daily. Lately, she even assisted in nurturing a family of 7 baby bunnies!

Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.

In 2019, Jordyn-Grace was described by her mom as an outgoing girl who can easily make friends with anyone, adding a hearty laugh that consistently brings joy to our days.

19th on our list is Josie Duggar, who was born on December 10, 2009. She came three months early and weighed merely 1 pound, 6 ounces. Consequently, she spent a significant six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

On her baby’s eleventh birthday in 2020, Michelle remarked that Josie is a whirlwind of activity. From the moment she rises in the morning to the instant her head rests on the pillow at night, she seldom takes a break!

2025-01-10 01:19

Jill Duggar’s Husband Clarifies Where He Stands With Jim Bob Duggar

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