How Amy Duggar King Fits Into the Sprawling Duggar Family

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Amy Duggar King is starting a new chapter.

Amy Duggar, who first appeared on 19 Kids and Counting seventeen years ago, is releasing her memoir, Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder with the Truth, on October 14th. The book shares her experiences growing up alongside her famous cousins.

Amy’s mother, Deanna Duggar, is Jim Bob Duggar’s sister, making Amy a niece to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. She grew up with a large extended family, as Jim Bob and Michelle have nineteen children.

Amy described being very close to her cousins during childhood, often feeling like a sister to them, and spent a lot of time at their house. She appeared on 19 Kids and Counting from 2008 to 2015 and made occasional appearances on the show Counting On, which ended in 2021. However, she didn’t receive any payment for her time on the show. Despite being part of the TV family, Amy writes in her memoir that she often felt distant from her cousins when they weren’t filming, and that they sometimes treated her like a fan when they met outside of work.

I really love my cousins and want to make that clear,” Amy explained to TopMob News. “But our conversations felt pretty shallow. When the cameras were rolling, we talked about what was happening in the moment. But as soon as they stopped, we struggled to find anything else to say.

Amy says her relationship with her uncle, Jim Bob, is currently difficult and has been for some time. She’s not trying to pretend everything is okay when it isn’t.

Although her memoir isn’t focused on revealing secrets about the Duggar family, she hasn’t discussed it with anyone except her cousin and close friend, Jill Duggar Dillard.

Amy deeply appreciates Jill’s support and encouragement. However, she emphasizes that the book is her personal story – about her experiences, feelings, and challenges – and she doesn’t feel she needs anyone’s permission to share it.

For more information about the Duggar family, continue reading.

These two lovebirds have been together since high school and have grown into a family with nineteen children and over thirty-six grandchildren.

Michelle remembers accepting Christianity when she was 15. Later, 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 and knocked on their door.

I first met Jim Bob when I was invited to Sunday school at his church. He actually told me later that he prayed for us to become each other’s spiritual leaders, though I honestly don’t remember that first meeting being particularly special! A year after that, I applied for a job at his parents’ frozen yogurt shop, and that’s where things really started. I remember walking up to the counter where he was working, and he was so shy but incredibly sweet! I don’t recall much of what we said, but he finally worked up the courage to ask me to go to his junior-senior banquet with him. It was the start of everything, and we just celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary – it’s amazing to think back on it all!

Michelle and Jim Bob first connected at a dinner held at Shiloh Christian, but it was a long conversation about the Bible at her parents’ house afterward that truly sparked their connection. As Michelle recalls, that’s when they felt their hearts truly connected. They graduated high school in May 1984 and were married just two months later in July. Michelle was 17 at the time, and Jim Bob was 19.

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. He also sought the Republican nomination for Arkansas State Senate District 35 in 2006, but was unsuccessful.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are licensed real estate agents and have long been involved in conservative activism. This aspect of their lives made them both strong advocates for and faced opposition from the 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 child in 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 came to light, 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. She stated that, as one of the victims, she knew the claims were false and that people reacted negatively when she said 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 process.

Anna and her husband have seven children: Mackynzie (born October 8, 2009), Michael (born June 15, 2011), Marcus (born June 2, 2013), Meredith (born July 16, 2015), Mason Garett (born September 12, 2017), Maryella Hope (born November 27, 2019), and Madyson Lily (born October 23, 2021). Interestingly, Meredith was born on the same day TLC canceled the show *19 Kids*.

In April 2021, Josh was indicted on federal charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, and he initially pleaded not guilty. In 2022, he was convicted on both counts, though the judge later dismissed the possession charge. He received a prison sentence of 12.5 years.

Soon after Josh arrived, Michelle became pregnant again, but sadly, she lost the baby. While they were still heartbroken and seeking direction, they 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 unique – I breastfeed, and my children are very close in age. I have a baby, then I’m pregnant again just eight months later. It’s just another unexpected thing happening in our lives, 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.

In a heartfelt message on their 30th birthday in January 2020, Jana reflected on a long-running joke about having a ‘twin thing’ – that special connection where you feel what your twin is feeling or know what they’re thinking. She’d always said no to that idea, but with the birth of their daughter, Gracie, she realized it was true. She felt just as much joy as John did, proving that the ‘twin thing’ was real after all!

Jana told them, “It’s lovely seeing you and Abbie as parents – you both seem so natural! 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. Though she sometimes felt frustrated by the wait, Jana believes everything happened according to God’s plan.

Jana explained to *People* magazine that she’s realized everyone’s life path is unique, and she trusts that God has a plan for her. That’s why she’s comfortable getting married later in life. ‘If we were all the same, life would be really dull,’ she said, ahead of her wedding on August 15, 2024.

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, much like her parents did. He visited the Duggar family home in December 2011 while caroling with his church group, and they were both immediately drawn to each other. Derick grew up about 45 minutes from the Duggars.

Jim Bob helped Jill and Derick meet, and they quickly connected through email and video calls. That November, Jill and her father visited Derick in Nepal, and their relationship blossomed. In February 2014, Derick formally asked Jim Bob for Jill’s hand in marriage, 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 that 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 romance 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 Jessa’s parents’ permission before proposing to her in August 2014 – a moment that also marked the first time they held hands. They married quickly, on November 1, 2014. While Jessa was expecting their first child, TLC canceled *19 Kids and Counting* but then aired a special featuring Jill and Jessa discussing sexual abuse to raise awareness among viewers. That winter, the sisters became the focus of their own series, *Jill and Jessa: Counting On*, which later expanded to include other members of the Duggar family and became simply *Counting On*.

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 newest 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 the birthday of Jinger’s nephew, Spurgeon – and quickly faced speculation about whether they were expecting a baby. It’s not easy to avoid overlapping important dates when you’re part of a large family of nineteen children!

In June 2017, on an episode of *Counting On*, Jinger shared that she and her family hoped to be settled in Laredo, continuing their ministry and serving God in any way they could.

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.

Joseph Duggar, born on January 20, 1995, proposed to Kendra Caldwell in May 2017. They had met through church and had only been courting for a few months when he popped the question at his sister Joy-Anna’s wedding.

Joseph admitted he was nervous when he proposed, but he felt confident she’d say yes, recalling her telling him, ‘I’m just waiting on you!’ Kendra, clearly emotional, told People, ‘I’m so happy and so shocked – I don’t even know what 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 publicly dating for only a few months, the couple announced they were engaged in March 2018. He shared that he proposed to Lauren in the same location where her parents had gotten engaged, explaining that the property held a lot of family history and was therefore particularly meaningful to her.

I was so touched by what Michelle, his mom, shared on their family blog! She said they absolutely adore Lauren and think she’s a sweetheart. And Jessa and Ben were thrilled for the couple, sending over the cutest chocolate x’s and o’s! Michelle jokingly said they knew everyone would probably want to save their first kiss for the wedding, but if they visited, they’d have a little something to hold them over – she held up that adorable chocolate! It just shows how welcoming and sweet the whole family is.

Let’s talk relationships! Before finding love now, I remember Josiah sharing with *People* magazine back in 2016 about a previous relationship with Marjorie Jackson. They dated for a while, and he said they really enjoyed their time together, but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right moment for either of them. They were both really focused on following what felt right spiritually, and in the summer of 2015, they decided to go their separate ways, keeping the door open for the future.

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 daughter Daisy in 2022, and welcomed son Ezra in May 2023.

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

Joy-Anna 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 their wedding taking place on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas—the same wedding where Joseph Forsyth 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 Duggar, 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.

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). 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.

Back in January 2017, the Daily Mail said Jim Bob assisted Jase in purchasing a run-down house in Prairie Grove, Arkansas—about half an hour from the Duggar family’s property—and Jase later launched his own construction business.

He publicly revealed 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 looking for a romantic partner, 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! On his 19th birthday in 2019, she wrote about how James could always make anything happen. Even when he was little, he loved taking things apart – appliances, toys, anything – to see how they worked. He wasn’t just taking them apart though; he’d always put them back together, 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 then got 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 really excited 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 fifteenth birthday in 2020, Michelle wrote about how much joy she brings to others and how easily she makes friends. She also shared how much her younger sisters look up to her, and expressed her gratitude 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 reliable, loyal, and a lot of fun! Jennifer is beloved by her younger cousins, who often clamor to be carried by her. She also has a big heart for animals, diligently caring for her pets each day. Just 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 easily connects with anyone. Her laugh was also noted as being particularly joyful and a highlight of their day.

Josie Duggar, born on December 10, 2009, was a premature baby who weighed just 1 pound, 6 ounces at birth. She spent six months in the NICU after arriving three months early. Here, she’s pictured holding her niece, Meredith.

Michelle described her daughter, Josie, as incredibly energetic when writing a birthday message for her 11th birthday in 2020. She noted that Josie is almost always on the go, from the moment she wakes up until bedtime.

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2025-10-15 10:19