Amy Duggar King Shares Update on Husband Dillon Amid Health Condition

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Amy Duggar King is counting on quality time with her family after her husband’s health scare. 

After revealing six months ago that her husband, Dillon King, was facing serious health issues, the former star of *Counting On* shared some good news about his condition.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I just read the interview with Amy! She said Dillon is *so* much better now, which is amazing! Apparently, they had to go to the doctor a bunch of times, even the ER a couple of times, and she said it was really scary. I’m just so relieved to hear he’s doing okay, and I *cannot* wait for her memoir, Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder With the Truth, to come out! I need to know everything!

She explained that he initially believed he was having a heart attack, but doctors discovered he actually had a diaphragmatic hernia – essentially, a large hole in the muscle separating his chest and abdomen.

Amy, who is related to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, shared that her husband, Dillon, 37, has been diagnosed with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that requires a significant dietary adjustment. She also mentioned she has a rare medical condition.

“Gluten is out,” she said. “The pantry is cleared, and he has his own little special section now.”

You know, even through a health challenge, it’s wonderful to see the positives. I’m so happy to share that Dillon’s diagnosis actually helped him get back to enjoying things he loves, like golf, and most importantly, being the amazing husband he always is. It’s a reminder that focusing on what *is* possible can make all the difference.

Even while dealing with health issues, 39-year-old Dillon shared that their 5-year-old son, Daxton, has been a source of joy and strength for the whole family.

She remembered her son saying, “Dad, I’m praying for you!” They also made an effort to spend time together, even if things weren’t normal.

In April, Amy openly shared the challenges Dillon was facing with his health and asked her online community and her faith for strength and encouragement.

She asked for prayers for him in an Instagram post, saying she knew he was in God’s hands, but they still appreciated any and all prayers.

The new book, *Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder With the Truth*, will be available on October 14th. In the meantime, you can learn more about the Duggar family history by continuing to read.

This couple, who fell in love in high school, are now parents to 19 children and grandparents to over 36 grandchildren.

Michelle remembers accepting a religious faith at age 15. Shortly after, Jim Bob was visiting homes in the neighborhood as part of his church’s outreach program. A friend mentioned that a newly religious cheerleader lived at the Ruark family’s house, so Jim Bob went to their door.

Jim Bob invited Michelle to Sunday school and hoped they could become each other’s spiritual guides, though Michelle doesn’t recall their first meeting being particularly memorable. A year later, Michelle applied for a job at the frozen yogurt shop owned by Jim Bob’s parents. She remembered in a 2017 birthday and anniversary blog post that he approached her at the counter, introduced himself, and was very sweet, though shy. She mostly remembered that he eventually worked up the courage to ask her to the junior-senior banquet!

They first met at a dinner held at Shiloh Christian, but Michelle knew they had a special connection after they spent hours talking about the Bible at her parents’ home. As Michelle recalls, that’s when they truly connected. 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 also 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 later, in 2006, he sought the Republican nomination for the Arkansas State Senate’s 35th district, but was unsuccessful.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are licensed real estate agents and actively involved in conservative political and social causes. This aspect of their lives led to both strong support and significant criticism of their family and their show, *19 Kids and Counting* (originally *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 child of the Duggar family, 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 became public, detailing accusations that he had sexually abused several girls, including his sisters Jessa and Jill Duggar, while he was a teenager. In a June interview with Fox News, Jessa defended her brother, claiming the accusations were exaggerated and untrue, and stated she was one of the victims herself, which is why she felt comfortable speaking out.

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 process.

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 was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.

Soon after Josh arrived, Michelle became pregnant again, but sadly had a miscarriage. While they were still mourning this loss and seeking direction, Michelle and Jim Bob were overjoyed to discover they were expecting twins.

It felt like a wonderful gift from God, a real encouragement to us,” she explained. “We’re still figuring things out as we go. It’s quite rare, because I nurse my babies, but they’re born very close together – I get pregnant again just eight months after having a baby. It’s just another unique part of our journey that we believe God orchestrated.

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 a few years prior to meeting at a church event in Oklahoma, where Abbie is from.

They welcomed daughter Grace Annette Duggar on Jan. 7, 2020 and son Charlie Duggar in September 2022.

In January 2020, on their 30th birthday, Jana shared a heartfelt message with her brother, John. They’d often been asked if they had a special ‘twin connection’ – that feeling of sharing each other’s emotions or thoughts. Jana had always said no, but she explained that when their niece, Gracie, was born, she genuinely felt the same joy as John did. She jokingly admitted that maybe the ‘twin thing’ was real after all!

Jana told them, “It’s lovely seeing you and Abbie as parents! You both seem so natural at it. You’ve always been a great brother, and I know you’ll be an amazing dad 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. Although she sometimes felt frustrated by the wait, Jana believes everything happened according to God’s plan.

I’ve definitely had times where I didn’t understand *why* things were happening, but I truly believe God has a plan for each of us. That’s why I’m so happy to be getting married a little later in life – it just feels right for *my* story. I think it’s beautiful that everyone’s path is unique; imagine how dull things would be if we all lived the same life!

Just over a year later, the couple shared that they’re expecting their first baby.

Jill Dillard (born May 17, 1991) met her husband, Derick, in a sweet way that reminded people of her parents’ story. He visited the Duggar family home in December 2011 while caroling with his church group, and they lived about 45 minutes apart.

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 Jim Bob for Jill’s hand in marriage in February 2014, and they were married on June 21, 2014. 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 and Derick had experienced a miscarriage while expecting their 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 approach to relationships was new to many viewers. Because the couple didn’t discuss their romance 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 are 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 Jessa’s father’s permission before proposing to her in August 2014, and it was then that they first held hands. They married on November 1, 2014. Shortly after, while Jessa was pregnant with their first child, TLC canceled *19 Kids and Counting* but followed up with a special episode featuring Jill and Jessa discussing sexual abuse and raising awareness about the issue. This led to the sisters starring in their own show, *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 November 5, 2015; Henry, born February 6, 2017; Ivy Jane, born May 28, 2019; and Fern, born in July 2021. They sadly experienced a miscarriage during the 2022 holidays, but welcomed another son, 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 ministry work in Laredo, Texas, and began dating in 2016. They got married on November 5, 2016—which happened to be Jinger’s nephew’s birthday—and, being part of a large family of 19 children, they quickly faced speculation about starting a family of their own.

In a June 2017 episode of *Counting On*, Jinger shared that she and her husband hoped to be settled in Laredo, continuing their ministry and finding ways to serve God.

Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo welcomed their first daughter, Felicity, on July 19, 2018. They had previously shared that they experienced a miscarriage in the fall of 2017. Their second daughter, Evangeline Jo, arrived in November 2020.

Son Finnegan Charles was born March 29, 2025.

Let me tell you about Joseph Duggar! He was born on January 20th, 1995. Now, this is a sweet story – he met Kendra through church, and he clearly knew what he wanted! He proposed to her at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding in May 2017, and it hadn’t even been long – just a few months of getting to know each other. Talk about a romantic proposal!

Honestly, when I proposed, I was a little nervous, but I felt really good knowing she’d already told me she was ready and waiting for me! That’s what Joseph shared with *People* after I asked Kendra to marry me. And Kendra? She was just completely overjoyed and surprised! She said she had so much she wanted to say, but was just speechless with happiness.

The couple has welcomed three children: a son named Garrett, born in June 2018, and daughters Addison, born in November 2019, and Brooklyn, born in February 2021.

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

I was so thrilled when I found out they got engaged in March 2018, not long after they started dating! He shared that he proposed to Lauren in the very same spot where her parents got engaged – it’s a family property with a lot of history, and clearly a really meaningful place for her. It just felt like the perfect, most romantic spot for them to start their life together, and I was so happy for them both!

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 sent their congratulations, along with chocolate candies shaped like hearts and kisses. Michelle jokingly added that they knew the couple planned to share their first kiss on their wedding day, but offered the chocolates as a fun little treat in the meantime.

Josiah previously dated Marjorie Jackson, but they ended their relationship in the summer of 2015. He told *People* magazine in March 2016 that they had enjoyed their time together and were trying to discern what God wanted for them. Ultimately, Marjorie didn’t feel the timing was right, so they decided to stop dating for the time being.

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. The couple expanded their family with another daughter, Daisy, born in 2022, and a son named Ezra, who arrived 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. They were married just a few months later on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas—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 for Jim Bob and Michelle, were born 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.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I was SO excited when Jed and Katey announced they were having twins back in July 2024! And then, January 8th, 2025… it finally happened! They welcomed the most precious little girls, Elsie Kate and Emma Kate, into the world! I’ve been following their journey and honestly, they are just the cutest little blessings ever!

I’m so happy for Jeremiah! He’s a fantastic flight instructor, and he’s married to Hannah Wissmann – she’s actually Stephen’s sister, which is pretty neat. They’ve started a beautiful family too! Their daughter, Brynley, arrived in December 2022, and they welcomed another little one, Brielle, in February 2024. It’s wonderful seeing their family grow.

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.

As a lifestyle expert, I remember reading back in 2017 that Jim Bob helped Jase purchase a house needing some work in Prairie Grove, Arkansas – it was about half an hour from the Duggar family’s property. It was a great opportunity for Jase, and he actually used it as a springboard to launch his own construction business! It’s wonderful to see people taking initiative and building something for themselves.

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.

Mom Michelle described James as the ‘fun uncle’—someone all the younger boys admire and want to emulate. She shared this on his 19th birthday in 2019, noting his knack for building and fixing things from a young age. Even as a child, he’d take apart appliances, understand how they worked, and reassemble them, often with his own creative improvements!

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 started 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.

On Jackson’s sixteenth birthday, his mom, Michelle, complimented his funny personality and said she knew he was eager to get his driver’s license.

Johannah Duggar was born on October 11, 2005, which is why her family was featured in the 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 others. She described her as friendly and sociable, always eager to meet new people. Michelle also shared how much her younger sisters look up to her, and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity 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.

When her daughter, Jennifer, turned thirteen, Michelle described her as someone who is reliable, loyal, and a lot of fun! Jennifer is beloved by her younger cousins, who constantly want her to carry them. She also has a big heart for animals and is dedicated to caring for her pets daily. Recently, she even helped raise a whole litter of seven bunnies!

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

Jordyn-Grace was described by her mom in 2019 as a friendly and sociable girl who quickly connects with everyone she meets. Her laugh was often a highlight of 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 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Michelle described her daughter, Josie, as incredibly energetic when writing a birthday message for her 11th birthday in 2020. She noted that Josie is constantly on the go, from morning until bedtime!

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2025-10-06 21:22