Amy Duggar King’s relationship with her family is complicated.
Former star of *19 Kids and Counting*, Jill Duggar, is releasing a memoir called *Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder With the Truth* on October 14th. The book offers a revealing look into her life growing up in the large Duggar family.
I’ve been following her journey for a while now, and it’s so interesting to hear her share memories of Aunt Michelle and Uncle Jim Bob. She’s been really open about how things with Uncle Jim Bob have become more difficult over time, and it’s definitely been a complex relationship to witness.
Amy told TopMob News in a recent interview that she and her uncle haven’t been close for some time. She explained she wasn’t going to pretend everything was okay when it wasn’t.
She explained her decision to be honest about their relationship, saying, “It’s upsetting, but I won’t pretend things are different than they are.”
Amy also talked about her mother, Deanna Duggar, and how she’s dealt with challenges in her family.
My mom has made a lot of progress in learning to set healthy boundaries, which is especially significant considering her past. She grew up in a family where abuse was common, and that’s made it difficult for her to say no to others. She’s actively working on improving this for herself.
And Amy and her husband Dillon King have been a major support system for Deanna during that time.
Amy mentioned that she’s now living with them, and it’s been helpful for her to concentrate on positive things because of the supportive home environment.
Amy revealed that Deanna and Jim Bob are having difficulties and haven’t spoken in a long time.
Okay, so for Dua Lipa, really getting into her family stuff – all the complicated bits – was *huge* for her. It wasn’t just about the past, it was like, she needed to understand it all to actually move on with her life, you know? It’s so cool she was willing to dig into that, honestly.
Amy, who co-parents 5-year-old Daxton with Dillon, emphasizes a key point from her book: generational trauma is a genuine phenomenon. She explains that each generation’s well-being is heavily influenced by the decisions we make and the people we choose to have in our lives.
She explained that a person’s character and their commitment to protecting children are important to her. She emphasized her right to safeguard her own children, and her determination to do so.
Amy was inspired to write her book, in part, after a conversation with her mother helped her understand her family’s history of trauma and how it had been passed down through generations.
As she put it, “I was like, ‘What am I gonna do with this information to help other people?’”
For more on the Duggar family, read on.
This couple, who began dating in high school, are now parents to 19 children and grandparents to more than 36 grandchildren.
Michelle remembers accepting Christianity when she was fifteen. Later, Jim Bob was visiting homes in the neighborhood as part of his church’s outreach program. A friend mentioned that a new Christian and cheerleader lived at the Ruark family’s house, so Jim Bob went and knocked on their door.
Jim Bob and Michelle first met when they invited her to Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob hoped they could become spiritual mentors to each other – though Michelle didn’t recall the meeting being particularly memorable. A year later, Michelle applied for a job at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s parents. In a 2017 letter posted on the family blog for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd anniversary, Michelle recalled, “You came to the counter where I was working and introduced yourself. You were shy but very sweet! I don’t remember much of the conversation, except that you finally asked me to go to the junior-senior banquet with you!”
Michelle and Jim Bob first connected at a dinner held at Shiloh Christian. However, it was the hours they spent talking about the Bible at her parents’ home afterward that truly solidified their connection. As Michelle explained, that’s when they felt their hearts truly joined. They graduated high school in May 1984 and were married just two months later in July. Michelle was 17, and Jim Bob was 19 at the time.
The couple dedicated themselves to God and each other for the long run.
Jim Bob previously served as a state representative for Arkansas’s sixth district from 1999 to 2002, where he was vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2002 but didn’t win the primary, and he also sought the Republican nomination for the Arkansas State Senate District 35 in 2006, but was unsuccessful.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, both real estate agents, are known for their conservative beliefs. These beliefs have made them both strong advocates for and the target of criticism surrounding their show, *19 Kids and Counting* (originally titled *17 Kids and Counting* when it began in 2008).
As of October 2024, they were grandparents of 33 with three on the way.
Josh Duggar, the oldest of the Duggar children, was born on March 3, 1988. Like his parents, he became involved in conservative activism, working with the Family Research Council.
Josh Duggar resigned after old police records from 2015 came to light, detailing accusations that he had sexually abused several girls, including his sisters Jessa and Jill, when he was a teenager. In a June interview with Fox News, Jessa defended her brother, claiming the accusations were exaggerated and untrue. She stated she was one of the victims and therefore could speak to the falsity of the claims, despite facing criticism for doing so.
His wife, Anna Duggar, whom he married on September 26, 2008, in a ceremony shown on the show *19 Kids and Counting*, remained supportive, even after he confessed to infidelity.
In 2016, when he began treatment, his parents described it as an important start to his recovery.
Anna and her husband have seven children: Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011), Marcus (June 2, 2013), Meredith (July 16, 2015), Mason Garett (September 12, 2017), Maryella Hope (November 27, 2019), and Madyson Lily (October 23, 2021). Meredith was born on the same day TLC canceled *19 Kids*.
In April 2021, Josh was indicted by a federal court on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. He initially pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, in 2022, he was convicted on both counts, though the judge later dismissed the possession charge. He received a prison sentence of 12 and a half years.
Soon after Josh arrived, Michelle became pregnant again, but sadly, she lost the baby. While they were still sad about this loss and seeking direction, they were overjoyed to discover they were expecting twins.
It felt like a wonderful gift,” she explained. “It was like God was giving us strength and encouragement. We’re still figuring things out, but it’s quite rare to breastfeed while being pregnant again so soon – only eight months between babies! It’s just another unexpected part of our journey, and we feel blessed by it.
John David Duggar and his twin sister Jana Duggar were born on Jan. 12, 1990.
John David and Abbie-Grace Burnett married on November 3, 2018, after a quick romance and engagement. They had known each other for several years before officially meeting at a church event in Oklahoma, where Abbie-Grace grew up.
They welcomed daughter Grace Annette Duggar on Jan. 7, 2020 and son Charlie Duggar in September 2022.
On their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana shared a heartfelt message about her and John. They’d always been asked if they had a special ‘twin connection’ – that feeling of knowing what the other is thinking or feeling. Jana had always said no, but with the birth of their daughter, Gracie, she realized she felt exactly the same joy as John did. She jokingly admitted that maybe the ‘twin thing’ was real after all!
Jana said it was lovely seeing them and Abbie as parents, adding that they were natural at it. She also pointed out that all the qualities that make him a great brother would make him a fantastic father too.
Jana watched eleven of her eighteen siblings get married before she met her husband, Stephen Wissmann. Stephen’s sister, Hannah, is married to Jana’s brother, Jeremiah. Though she sometimes felt frustrated by the wait, Jana believes everything happened according to God’s plan.
Jana recently shared with *People* magazine that she didn’t always see the long-term plan, but she trusts that God has a good reason for everything. That’s why she’s choosing to get married later in life. She believes everyone’s journey is unique, and that variety is what makes life interesting.
Just over a year later, the couple shared that they’re expecting their first baby.
I’ve been following Jill Duggar Dillard for years, and it’s so sweet to remember how she met her husband, Derick! She was born on May 17, 1991, and their story is just like something out of a movie. They first met at Christmas in 2011 when Derick – he actually grew up only about 45 minutes from the Duggars – stopped by with his church caroling group. It was a really special moment!
Jim Bob introduced Jill and Derick, and they quickly connected through email and video calls. That November, Jill and her father visited Derick in Nepal, and their relationship blossomed. Derick formally asked for Jill’s hand in marriage in February 2014, and they were married on June 21st of that year. They now have three sons: Israel, born April 6, 2015, Samuel, born July 8, 2017, and Frederick, born July 7, 2022.
In April 2024, Jill announced she had experienced a miscarriage while expecting her and Derick’s first daughter.
In the Amazon Prime Video documentary *Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets*, which debuted in June 2023, Jill and Derick Duggar discussed the controversies and religious beliefs connected to their family.
Jim Bob and Michelle’s fifth child, Jessa Duggar, was born Nov. 4, 1992.
Jessa and Ben met at church, and he began courting her in 2013. This traditional way of getting to know someone romantically was new to many viewers. Because the couple didn’t discuss their relationship before getting engaged, Jim Bob explained to *People* magazine that courting involves getting to know each other with both families involved, and setting goals together to see if they’re a good match for marriage. He contrasted this with dating, where couples often spend time alone, which can sometimes lead to physical intimacy.
Ben sought permission to marry Jessa and proposed in August 2014, marking the occasion with their first time holding hands. They wed on November 1, 2014. While Jessa was pregnant with their first child, their show *19 Kids and Counting* was canceled. Shortly after, TLC aired a special featuring Jill and Jessa discussing sexual abuse to raise awareness among viewers. That winter, the sisters then starred in their own series, *Jill and Jessa: Counting On*, which later became *Counting On* and included other members of the Duggar family.
Jessa and Ben have four children: Spurgeon, born in November 2015; Henry, born in February 2017; Ivy Jane, born in May 2019; and Fern, born in July 2021. They sadly experienced a miscarriage during the 2022 holidays, but welcomed their fifth child, George, in December 2023.
In August 2025, Jessa announced the birth of son Edward.
The sixth Duggar child, Jinger Vuolo, was born Dec. 21, 1993.
Jinger and Jeremy first connected while doing mission work in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in 2016. They got married on November 5, 2016 – the same day as Jinger’s nephew Spurgeon’s birthday, which is quite a feat considering Jinger is one of nineteen siblings! Soon after the wedding, people started speculating that they were expecting a baby.
In a June 2017 episode of *Counting On*, Jinger shared that she and her family hoped to be settled in Laredo a year from then, continuing their ministry and serving God in any way they could.
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo welcomed their first daughter, Felicity, on July 19, 2018. Before that year, they shared that Jinger had experienced a miscarriage in the fall of 2017. Later, in November 2020, they had another daughter, Evangeline Jo.
Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.
Joseph Duggar, born on January 20, 1995, proposed to Kendra Caldwell at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017. They had met through church and had been courting for only a few months when he popped the question.
Joseph admitted he was nervous when he proposed, but he felt confident she would say yes, recalling her telling him, ‘I’m just waiting on you!’ Kendra, overjoyed and surprised, shared, ‘I’m so happy and just completely shocked. I have so much I want to say!’
The couple has welcomed three children: Garrett, born in June 2018, Addison, born in November 2019, and Brooklyn, born in February 2021.
Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.
After dating Lauren publicly for only a few months, he announced their engagement in March 2018. He shared that he proposed to her in the same location where her parents had gotten engaged, explaining that the property held a lot of family history and was therefore meaningful to Lauren.
Lauren’s future mother-in-law, Michelle, shared in a video on the family blog how much they adore her, calling her a ‘precious girl.’ Jessa and Ben also congratulated the couple and playfully offered chocolate x’s and o’s. Michelle jokingly suggested they’d save their first kiss for the wedding, but offered the chocolates as a little something in the meantime.
I remember when Josiah and Marjorie Jackson dated a while back, but it just wasn’t meant to be, and they went their separate ways in the summer of 2015. He told *People* magazine in March 2016 that they had a really good time together, and they were both really trying to figure out what God wanted for them. He explained that Marjorie just didn’t feel the timing was right, so they decided to take a break from their relationship.
He and Lauren got married on June 30, 2018, and described their wedding day as “absolutely perfect” in an interview with *People* magazine. They became parents to daughter Bella Milagro on November 8, 2019—a name meaning “miracle baby”—after Lauren experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. Their family grew with the arrival of another daughter, Daisy, in 2022, and a son named Ezra in May 2023.
Ninth sibling Joy-Anna Duggar was born Oct. 28, 1997.
Joy-Anna Duggar and Austin Forsyth had been friends for 15 years before they began dating. They quickly fell in love, with Austin proposing in February 2017 and the couple marrying just a few months later on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas. Interestingly, this was the same wedding where Joseph Duggar proposed to Kendra Caldwell!
Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth have three children: Gideon Martin Forsyth, born February 23, 2018; Evelyn Mae Forsyth, born August 21, 2020; and Gunner James Forsyth, born May 17, 2023.
Jed and Jeremiah Duggar, the second set of twins born to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, arrived on December 30, 1998.
Jed and Katey Nakatsu got married in April 2021 after dating for a year. They have two children: a son named Truett, born in May 2022, and a daughter named Nora Kate, born in June 2023.
Jed and Katey shared the exciting news in July 2024 that they were expecting twin girls. Elsie Kate and Emma Kate arrived on January 8, 2025.
Jeremiah is a certified flight instructor and is married to Hannah Wissmann, who is the sister of Stephen (Jana’s husband). Together, they have two daughters: Brynley, born in December 2022, and Brielle, born in February 2024.
They announced the arrival of their third daughter, Emery ‘Emy’ Jane Duggar, on May 18, 2025.
No. 12 Jason Duggar was born on April 21, 2000.
In January 2017, the Daily Mail reported that Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a run-down house in Prairie Grove, Arkansas—roughly 30 minutes from the Duggar family’s property. Jase then launched his own construction business.
He publicly announced his relationship with Maddie Grace on Instagram in May 2024, and they got married in October of the same year.
Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.
He’s not currently dating anyone publicly, but he’s a very loving and involved uncle to many nieces and nephews.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen a lot of great relationships, and this one is special! My son, James, has always been the ‘fun uncle’ figure to all the younger boys in the family – they genuinely look up to him and want to emulate him. Even as a little kid, he was endlessly curious and resourceful. We’d constantly find him taking apart everything from toasters to TVs, not to break them, but to understand *how* they worked. He’d always manage to put them back together, often with his own little improvements and modifications! It’s just in his nature to tinker, explore, and create.
James put in a lot of effort this year and earned his commercial driver’s license! He’s now skilled at operating large trucks and heavy equipment, and we’re excited to see what opportunities lie ahead for him.
No. 14 Justin Duggar arrived on Nov. 15, 2002.
He began dating Claire Spivey in September 2020, and they announced their engagement the following November. They were married on February 26, 2021.
Jackson Duggar, the fifteenth child of Jim Bob and Michelle, was born on May 23, 2004. He’s pictured here with his older sister, Jill.
For Jackson’s sixteenth birthday, his mom, Michelle, complimented his funny personality and mentioned how excited he was to finally get his driver’s license.
Johannah Duggar was born on October 11, 2005, which is why her family was featured in the original special called *16 Kids and Moving In*.
On her daughter’s 15th birthday in 2020, Michelle wrote about how much joy her daughter brings to everyone. She described her as friendly and energetic, someone who easily makes friends. Michelle also shared how her younger sisters completely adore her, and expressed her gratitude to God for being her 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.
I’ve always known Jennifer to be such a wonderful person – she’s incredibly dependable and fiercely loyal, but also just a lot of fun to be around! The younger kids absolutely adore her; she’s constantly got one of my nieces or nephews clinging to her because they never want her to let go. And she has the biggest heart for animals! She’s so dedicated to her pets, making sure they’re cared for every single day. Just recently, she even helped raise a whole litter of seven baby bunnies – it was the sweetest thing to see!
Here on the right, the penultimate Duggar child was born Dec. 18, 2008.
Jordyn-Grace’s mom described her in 2019 as friendly and approachable, someone who immediately connects with everyone she meets. She also said Jordyn-Grace’s laughter always brightens their day.
Josie Duggar, number 19 in her family, is pictured here with her niece, Meredith. She was born on December 10, 2009, three months early and weighing just 1 pound, 6 ounces. She spent six months receiving care in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
Michelle described her daughter Josie as incredibly energetic in a birthday post from 2020. She wrote that Josie is always on the go, from the moment she wakes up until bedtime.
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2025-10-14 16:19