Amy Duggar King Reveals Where She Stands With the Duggar Family

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Amy Duggar King isn’t counting on her entire family.

In the midst of a strained relationship with her uncles Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, she offered some insights about her complex bond with her cousins from the “19 Kids and Counting” family.

Amy shared with TopMob News during an exclusive interview, “Setting boundaries is crucial because if they aren’t aligned with mine, it means we’ll have to establish some limits.

The former reality TV personality, known for frequently appearing with cousins such as Jana Duggar, Jessa Duggar, and Joy-Anna Forsyth on the 10-season TLC show, currently doesn’t enjoy a strong bond with her extended family. However, she clarified that she is no longer harboring any bitterness.

She confessed that for a brief period, she felt deeply sad. In truth, she was heart-rendingly disappointed. That decision was exceptionally tough to make, and yet, she stands firm by it. It’s alright to acknowledge that our paths have diverged, and I wish them nothing but the best. However, I must express my honest feelings.

Yet, Amy’s bond with Jill Duggar Dillard has grown even stronger as Amy’s cousin moves away from the traditional Christian Fundamentalist way of life that her family upholds.

Jill and I share a very strong bond, as we confide in one another deeply. Our relationship is built on trust, reminiscent of a close-knit family bond like cousins. She’s shared personal secrets and experiences with me, and the same holds true for her – she knows things about me that others don’t. We both trust each other implicitly.

In the first season of Amazon’s “Shiny Happy People: The Duggar Family Secrets,” Amy and Jill—mothers to sons Israel (9), Samuel (7), and Frederick (2) with husband Derick Dillard—found solace in each other as they bravely explored their past traumas on the show.

In my own words, I found myself remarkably open with her, confessing honestly that the journey was tough and terrifying. Yet, we chose transparency. She is my lifetime cheerleader, and I am hers. So, we pledged to face this challenge side by side. Together, our strength multiplies because we can lean on each other for support.

Amy underlined the fact that when either she or her cousin Jill, aged 34, are facing difficulties, they always take the time to motivate each other. Moreover, Amy takes pride in her cousin and never hesitates to express this admiration, especially during challenging times.

She said, ‘You know, you could simply say, “I’m really proud of you,”‘ explaining why. ‘Your transformation in life and the impact it’s having on those young boys is remarkable. You’re making a difference for countless people,’ she continued. ‘I admire you greatly, and I will continue to do so. We’ll keep moving forward together, maintaining our boundaries.’

As a loving mom myself, I can relate to Amy who is preparing to babysit her friend Jill’s sons. Amy is looking forward to spending quality time with these young boys, her own son Daxton (age 5) and Jill’s boys. Her husband Dillon King shares in this excitement, and they eagerly anticipate the upcoming sleepover. Amy expressed her feelings by saying, “I can’t wait for our family bonding time together!

In the docuseries, both Amy and Jill feel content with their portrayal, whereas Michelle and Jim Bob publicly criticized the project in an extensive declaration that appeared during the opening of season two’s first episode.

The recently viewed documentary about our family is sad due to its portrayal of people we care for being harmed by the media and those with harmful intentions. As Amy read, it became clear that this film presents many individuals in a negative and sensationalized manner. We’ve always felt that the most effective way to mend broken relationships or bridge differences is through love, in a private setting rather than public display.

She rebuked the comment, replying on-camera that Jim Bob “ticks” her off.

Although they expressed their dissent, Amy stands tall with pride regarding her choice to be part of the show. Consequently, it came as no surprise that she was eager to participate in season two as well, a season that delves into Teen Mania – once America’s most prominent evangelical youth organization.

She told TopMob, “If you can illuminate a path and assist others in overcoming their spiritual wounds, in any manner possible, then I’m all for it. I’d be happy to champion this cause.

For a closer look at the sprawling Duggar family tree, keep reading.

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

As a lifestyle expert, I might rephrase it as: In my past, I was fortunate enough to experience a profound transformation at the age of 15, which I often refer to as being “saved.” One fateful evening, during one of his home outreach visits for the Baptist church he belonged to, a friend mentioned that a cheerleader from school who had recently undergone this transformation lived at the Ruark family residence. So, my acquaintance, Jim Bob, decided to pay them a visit.

They extended an invitation to Michelle to attend Sunday school at their church, and Jim Bob mentioned that he had prayed to God for them to serve as each other’s spiritual guides – although it seemed that their initial encounter didn’t leave a strong impression on Michelle. A year later, she applied for a position at the yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s parents. As Michelle recalled in a letter posted on their family blog for Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary in 2017, “You approached the counter where I was standing near the cash register and introduced yourself. You were timid but very kind! I can’t remember much about that conversation, except that you eventually found 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 late night conversations about the Bible at her family home that she realized their connection deepened significantly. As Michelle puts it, “Our hearts became intertwined from there.” They graduated high school in May of 1984 and got married in July, with Michelle being 17 and Jim Bob being 19 years old.

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

Jim Bob previously held a position as a state legislator, representing Arkansas’s sixth district in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as vice chair of the House Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee. He attempted to secure a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2002 but was unsuccessful during the primary. Similarly, his bid for the Republican nomination for Arkansas State Senate District 35 in 2006 also ended without success.

They, along with Michelle, who are both real estate agents with valid licenses, have been involved in conservative movements – a part of their lifestyle that made them admirers and critics of the TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” which first aired in 2008 as “17 Kids and Counting.

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

The oldest Duggar family member, Josh Duggar, came into the world on March 3, 1988. Similar to his advocacy, he also took up the mantle as a conservative activist, supporting the Family Research Council in their campaigns.

Back in 2015, some old police records emerged, containing allegations that he had been accused of molesting multiple girls, including his sisters Jessa Duggar and Jill Duggar, when he was a teen. In a conversation with Fox News that June, Jessa defended her brother, stating that the harsh labels being used against Josh were “exaggerated and false, truly. People get angry at me for saying this, but I can say it because I was one of the victims myself.

His wife, Anna Duggar, who exchanged vows with him during their wedding on September 26, 2008 (which was showcased on “19 Kids and Counting”), remained loyal to him, even following his confession of infidelity.

In 2016, when he admitted himself to a rehabilitation facility, his parents described it as “an essential initial move towards restoration and healing.

The parents of Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (June 15, 2011) and Marcus (June 2, 2013), when a scandal occurred, Anna gave birth to their fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015, which was the same day TLC canceled “19 Kids.” Their fifth child, Mason Garett, was born September 12, 2017. Daughter Maryella Hope arrived on November 27, 2019, and their seventh child, Madyson Lily, was born October 23, 2021.

In an indictment filed in April 2021, Josh faced charges for receiving and possessing child pornography. He denied these accusations on both counts. In the year 2022, he was convicted of both offenses, although the possession charge was later dismissed by the judge. As a result, he received a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison.

A short time following Josh’s birth, Michelle became pregnant once more, unfortunately experiencing a miscarriage. As they mourned this loss and sought divine direction, they discovered they were expecting twins.

In my role as a lifestyle expert, I find myself constantly amazed at life’s unexpected twists. As I navigate my journey, I can’t help but feel it’s a divine coincidence – a double blessing, if you will. It’s as if the universe is nudging me, guiding my heart through this uncharted territory. I’m learning and growing every day, which is quite extraordinary given that I’ve recently welcomed a new addition to our family, yet another child is on the way just eight months later. This isn’t the typical path for most mothers, but then again, my story has never been ordinary. It seems the Lord has a unique plan for us, and I’m grateful to be walking this path with His grace.

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 – John David and Abbie-Grace Burnett’s home state – led to their marriage on November 3, 2018, after a swift courtship and brief engagement.

On January 7, 2020, they warmly received their daughter named Grace Annette Duggar, while their son, Charlie Duggar, joined the family in September 2022.

On his 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana expressed in a heartfelt note, “Since John and I were young, people often wondered if we had some kind of ‘twin bond’, where you sense what the other is feeling or thinking…Well, John, I’ve always said no—but now, on the day little Gracie was born, I shared all your joy, so perhaps there really is something to it!

Jana went on to say, “It’s just lovely to see you and Abbie in your parental roles! You both seem so natural at it! The traits that have made you such a great brother will undoubtedly make you a fantastic father as well.

Jana observed as 11 out of her 18 siblings tied the knot, before she herself found romance with Stephen Wissmann – whose sister Hannah is married to Jeremiah, one of Jana’s own brothers. Although there were times when she felt exasperated, she firmly believed it was all part of God’s design.

In an interview with People in August 2024, just before her upcoming wedding, Jana expressed, “I haven’t always grasped the overall design, but I trust that God knows what is best for everyone. For me, that meant waiting to get married later.” She added, “Everyone’s life story unfolds uniquely. If we were all identical, life would be monotonous.

As a devoted admirer recounting my own tale, I was born on May 17, 1991. In a romance that echoed my parents’ story, I encountered Derick, who lived approximately 45 minutes away, on Christmas 2011. He happened to visit our family home while out caroling with his church group.

Jim Bob acted as a cupid, and Jill and Derick found a connection, their bond deepening through emails and video calls. The father-daughter duo traveled to meet Derick in Nepal in November, and Jill and Derick’s relationship continued to blossom. In February 2014, Derick sought Jim Bob’s approval for his daughter’s hand in marriage, which they exchanged vows on June 21, 2014. The couple is blessed with three sons: Israel, born on April 6, 2015; Samuel, born July 8, 2017; and Frederick, born July 7, 2022.

In April 2024, Jill announced that they had experienced a miscarriage when expecting their first daughter with Derick.

In June of 2023, I delved into the complexities and faith-based disputes tied to my family, as depicted in the Amazon Prime Video documentary titled “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets”. Reflecting on this profound portrayal, I found myself pondering…

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 antiquated style of courtship that was quite novel for many viewers. Before their engagement, the couple never discussed their relationships publicly, so Jim Bob clarified to People magazine, “Courting involves getting to know each other in a group setting, with both families spending time together and the couple establishing shared goals to decide if they are suitable for marriage. Dating often involves couples going out alone, which can sometimes lead to a more intimate relationship.

Back in August 2014, Ben asked me for my hand in marriage, a moment I sealed with him by holding his hand for the first time. We exchanged our vows on Nov 1, 2014. As we prepared for our first child, our lives took an unexpected turn when 19 Kids and Counting was canceled due to a special episode focusing on sexual abuse, in which both Jill and I participated. That winter, we found ourselves at the forefront of our own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On. Over time, this show expanded to include other Duggar siblings, eventually becoming Counting On.

During November 5, 2015, Jessa and Ben became parents to Spurgeon; in February 6, 2017, they welcomed Henry into their family; Ivy Jane joined them on May 28, 2019, and Fern arrived in July 2021. Unfortunately, during the 2022 holiday season, Jessa experienced a miscarriage. However, she gave birth to George in December 2023.

On May 7, 2025, Jessa announced baby No. 6 is on the way.

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

Jinger and Jeremy first met while working on ministry projects in Laredo, Texas, and their courtship began in 2016. They tied the knot on November 5, 2016, which happened to be her nephew Spurgeon’s birthday, though it can be quite challenging to coordinate such events when you’re part of a family of nineteen! Almost immediately after their wedding, speculation about a possible pregnancy began.

In a year’s time, we likely will have found our rhythm, continuing our ministry right here in Laredo while striving to serve the Lord in any capacity we can. This was shared by Jinger on a June 2017 episode of Counting On.

On July 19, 2018, their little girl named Felicity was born. Back in May of the same year, they announced that Jinger was expecting another child, and tragically, she had experienced a miscarriage in the fall of the previous year. In November 2020, they were blessed with another daughter, Evangeline Jo.

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

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

In a conversation with People magazine, Joseph shared that he was certainly anxious leading up to the proposal, but he wasn’t worried she would refuse because she had expressed, “I’m just waiting on you!” After making the big question, Joseph said. Kendra added, “I’m incredibly happy and completely taken aback. There are so many things I want to express, but all I can say is shocked.

Since then, they’ve officially announced the births of their son Garrett, who was born in June 2018, their daughter Addison, born in November 2019, and another daughter named Brooklyn, born in February 2021.

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

A couple, who had made their relationship public just a few months prior, announced their engagement in March 2018. The man explained that he proposed to his girlfriend, Lauren, at the very same location where her parents were engaged. He stated, “This is the exact spot where her parents got engaged.” The property holds significant family history, making it a particularly meaningful place for Lauren.

In a video shared on their blog, Michelle (the future grandmother-in-law) expressed her affection for Lauren by saying, “Lauren is truly special to us; she’s like a precious gem.” Jessa and Ben also conveyed their congratulations, along with a treat shaped as x’s and o’s. Michelle playfully hinted at something sweet if they came closer, showing a prize as encouragement, saying, “I think you two might want to wait for your first kiss on your wedding day, but if you come over here, we’ll have a little surprise for you…

In the summer of 2015, a past relationship with Marjorie Jackson ended amicably. Josiah reminisced about their time together to People magazine in March 2016, stating, “We had a wonderful experience together. We were simply trying to heed God’s guidance in every aspect. Unfortunately, she didn’t believe it was the appropriate time then, so we took a brief break.

On June 30, 2018, I had the immense pleasure of exchanging vows with my beloved partner, Lauren. We shared our heartfelt moments with People, describing our wedding day as “absolutely perfect.” Our family expanded on November 8, 2019, when we were blessed with our beautiful daughter, Bella Milagro. The name signifies a miracle baby, as we had experienced a miscarriage in October 2018. In the year 2022, we welcomed another precious daughter into our lives, whom we named Daisy. And most recently, in May 2023, we were overjoyed to add a son named Ezra to our family.

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

She had been acquainted with Austin Forsyth for a decade and a half as a friend before he expressed romantic interest in her. Following this development, they moved swiftly. He popped the question in February 2017, and they exchanged vows on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas – the same venue where Joseph proposed to Kendra.

On February 23, 2018, Joy-Anna and Austin became parents to their firstborn, Gideon Martin Forsyth; they then had a daughter named Evelyn Mae Forsyth on August 21, 2020, and most recently, their third child, Gunner James Forsyth, arrived on May 17, 2023.

On the 30th of December, 1998, Jim Bob and Michelle welcomed their second pair of twins, whom they named Jed Duggar and Jeremiah Duggar.

In the spring of 2021, Jed tied the knot with Katey Nakatsu following a year of romance. Their family now includes their son Truett, who was born in May 2022, and their daughter Nora Kate, who joined them in June 2023.

In July 2024, Jed and Katey made an announcement that they were expecting twins. Their beautiful girls, named Elsie Kate and Emma Kate, arrived on January 8, 2025.

Jeremiah, a qualified flight instructor, is married to Hannah Wissmann (sister of Stephen, Jana’s husband) and together they have two children: 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, according to the Daily Mail, Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a $33,000 property in need of repairs in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from the Duggar family’s main residence. Subsequently, he established his own construction company.

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

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

He doesn’t have a serious romantic partner at the moment, but he takes great care of many nieces and nephews as an affectionate uncle.

On his 19th birthday in 2019, Michelle wrote that “James is the beloved ‘fun uncle,’ and all the young lads in this area admire him and aspire to emulate him.” James has an uncanny ability to accomplish tasks he dreams up. From a young age, we would often discover James tinkering with household appliances. He’s always been one who enjoys disassembling things, understanding their inner workings, and then reassembling them—with some unique enhancements!

This year, James diligently pursued obtaining his Commercial Driver’s License, and now he’s proficient in maneuvering large trucks and complex machinery. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the extraordinary plans that lay ahead for him, guided by fate!

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

In September 2020, he announced his relationship with Claire Spivey to the public. They became engaged in November of the same year and tied the knot on February 26, 2021.

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

On his sixteenth birthday, Michelle, Jackson’s mom, commended his wit and mentioned that she was certain he had been eagerly anticipating the day he would receive his driver’s license.

Johannah Duggar was born on October 11, 2005, which coincided with the premiere of their first family reality show titled “16 Kids and Starting a New Life“.

On her 15th birthday in 2020, Michelle expressed that her daughter is full of life, sociable, and enjoys meeting new people. Her younger siblings find her amazing, and they believe she is the epitome of greatness. Above all, Michelle feels incredibly blessed to be 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.

Michelle wrote that Jennifer is reliable, devoted, and always brings joy when her granddaughter turned 13. Jennifer is adored by her nieces, nephews, who often cling to her because they don’t want to be put down. In addition, Jennifer shows a deep affection for animals and diligently takes care of her pets on a daily basis. Notably, she recently played a significant role in nurturing a brood of 7 baby bunnies!

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

In the year 2019, Jordyn-Grace was described by her mother as an extroverted young lady who seems to instantly connect with everyone she meets. Her laughter is often one of the most vibrant and joyful moments we experience daily.

Josie Duggar, seen cradling her niece Meredith here, entered the world on December 10th, 2009. She was born three months early and weighed a mere 1 pound, 6 ounces. As a result of her prematurity, she needed to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for six long months.

Michelle commented on Josie’s 11th birthday in 2020, saying that she’s like a whirlwind of activity. She’s always moving from the moment she gets up in the morning to when she goes to bed at night, seldom taking a break!

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2025-07-27 15:18