Prison bars, it would appear, are no deterrence for sexting for Josh Duggar.
Before starting his 12-year prison sentence for child pornography, Josh Duggar, formerly of 19 Kids and Counting, sent several intimate text messages to his wife, Anna Duggar. These messages have recently been revealed.
In a text message from May 2022, obtained by People magazine, Josh, 38, wrote, “I miss you my lover. I miss being in the shower with you, scrubbing. I miss watching you try on clothes, I miss watching you being sexy.”
I seriously can’t even with this guy! Apparently, in a message to his wife – they’ve been married since 2008, can you believe it? – he congratulated her on losing weight, and then… then he suggested she reward herself with something revealing! Like, a low-cut top! But it gets worse. He actually suggested she send him pictures of herself in her underwear or a swimsuit! It’s just… ugh. So creepy and objectifying! I’m honestly disgusted.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen this pattern before – he was constantly checking in with Anna, specifically asking if she’d sent him pictures. It was all about needing confirmation and control, and he’d message her repeatedly until he got that reassurance.
He texted, “I can’t wait until we have some alone time again. I miss all of you! What are you thinking about, dreaming about, or fantasizing about today that you miss? I miss us being together! Tell me later?”
The reality star also daydreamed about intimate moments with Anna, like giving her a foot or back massage.
“Things would be much more enjoyable once we were all comfortable,” he said, a wave of memories washing over him.
Only a few days after sending letters to his wife and their seven children, Josh was sentenced to 12 years in prison and moved to a federal facility. He had been found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography six months prior.
Four years after Josh began his sentence, his family experienced further legal difficulties when his younger brother, Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in March 2026 and charged with child molestation. Joseph has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
I still can’t believe it! Just two days after they took Josiah, they arrested Kendra too! My Kendra! With four little kids to think of! They’re saying it’s about endangering children and holding someone against their will, but I know they’re good parents. Both Josiah and Kendra have pleaded not guilty, and honestly, I’m standing by them completely. This whole thing just feels so wrong!
Following his brother’s arrest, Josh shared his reaction via a statement from his lawyer.
The attorney stated to the Daily Mail on March 20th that Josh is aware of the negative perceptions that come with being accused of something. The attorney also mentioned Josh and his brother, Joseph, don’t communicate often, and that Josh wishes his brother well and is hoping for the best during this challenging period.
For more insight into the Duggar family, read on.
These two lovebirds have been together since high school, and their family has grown to include nineteen children and over thirty-six grandchildren.
Michelle remembers accepting Christianity when she was 15. One night, Jim Bob was going door-to-door for his Baptist church and was told that a newly religious cheerleader lived at the Ruark family’s house. He went to their door and found Michelle.
Jim Bob and Michelle first met when they invited her to Sunday school at their church. Jim Bob hoped they would become each other’s spiritual guides, 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. She remembers that he came to the counter where she was working and introduced himself. He was shy but kind, and eventually worked up the courage to ask her to the junior-senior banquet. Michelle shared this memory in a letter on the family blog in 2017, celebrating Jim Bob’s birthday and their 33rd wedding anniversary.
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 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.
Oh my gosh, Jim Bob is just… amazing! He used to be a state representative, you know, for Arkansas’s sixth district from ’99 to ’02. And get this – he was even the vice chair of the House of Corrections and Criminal Law Subcommittee! He tried to go all the way to the U.S. Senate in ’02, but sadly didn’t make it past the primary. He didn’t give up though, and ran for State Senate in ’06, District 35, but that didn’t work out either. Still, just knowing he tried… it’s inspiring!
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 supporters and targets 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.
Oh my gosh, Josh Duggar, the first Duggar! He was born on March 3rd, 1988, can you believe it? And just like his parents, he got really involved in conservative causes, even working with the Family Research Council. I just find everything about him so fascinating!
I was absolutely devastated when those old police records came out in 2015. It was awful learning about the accusations against Josh, especially the claims about him hurting his own sisters, Jessa and Jill, when he was younger. I remember Jessa actually did an interview with Fox News that June, and she was so brave defending him. She said all the hate he was getting was just too much and wasn’t true, and she even admitted she was one of the victims! It was heartbreaking, honestly, but she really stood by him.
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.
Oh my gosh, when he finally went to treatment in 2016, his parents said it was “a crucial first step in recovering and healing.” It just…it meant so much to hear them say that, like they finally acknowledged he needed help and were hopeful. It felt like a tiny glimmer of hope for him, and for all of us who care about him. I remember reading that statement and just…crying, honestly. It was the first time in so long I felt like things might get better.
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 on federal charges for receiving and possessing child pornography, and he initially pleaded not guilty to both. In 2022, he was convicted on both counts, although 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 had a miscarriage. While they were still saddened by 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,” she explained. “It really encouraged us during a challenging time, and we’re still figuring things out. It’s quite rare, because I choose to breastfeed, and my children are born very close together – I get pregnant again just eight months after having a baby. It’s just another unexpected 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. Although they had been aware of each other for years, they officially met at a church event in Oklahoma, where Abbie 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 lifelong question about a special connection with her partner, John. People always asked if they shared a ‘twin thing’ – that feeling of knowing what the other is thinking or feeling. Jana had always said no, but the birth of their daughter, Gracie, changed her mind. She realized she felt just as much joy as John did, leading her to believe that the ‘twin thing’ might actually be real!
Jana said it was lovely seeing them and Abbie as parents, and that they both seemed to have a natural gift for it. She added that the qualities that made him such a good brother would definitely make him a fantastic father.
Abbie and John-David welcomed their third child, a baby girl, in February 2026.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen all sorts of journeys to finding love, and Jana Duggar’s was certainly unique! It took a while – I watched 11 of her 18 siblings tie the knot before she found her person, Stephen Wissmann. It’s actually a bit of a small world, because Stephen’s sister, Hannah, is married to Jana’s brother, Jeremiah! While it was understandably frustrating waiting for the right relationship, Jana always believed everything happened according to God’s timing, and that perspective really shaped her experience.
Jana explained to People magazine that she’s marrying later in life because she trusts that God has a plan for everyone. ‘We all have unique journeys,’ she said, ‘and if we were all the same, life would be pretty dull.’ Her wedding is scheduled for August 15, 2024.
On Dec. 30, 2025, the couple welcomed their first child, son Archie Gerald Wissmann.
Jill Dillard (born May 17, 1991) met her husband, Derick, in a way similar to how her parents met. He visited the Duggar family home in December 2011 while caroling with his church group, and they quickly connected. Derick grew up about 45 minutes from the Duggars.
Jim Bob introduced Jill and Derick, and they quickly connected through emails 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 she and Derick had experienced a miscarriage while expecting a baby girl.
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 first met at church, and he began pursuing her in 2013. This formal approach to courtship was new to many viewers, as the couple kept their romantic relationship private before getting engaged. Jessa’s father, Jim Bob, explained to People magazine that courting differs from dating because it involves getting to know each other with both families involved and setting shared goals to see if marriage is right. He contrasted this with dating, where couples often spend time alone and may become physically intimate sooner.
Ben formally asked for Jessa’s hand in marriage and proposed in August 2014, a moment that marked the first time they’d held hands. They married quickly on November 1, 2014. Jessa was pregnant with their first child when their show, 19 Kids and Counting, was canceled. TLC then aired a special featuring Jessa and her sister Jill discussing sexual abuse and raising awareness about the issue. That winter, the sisters became the focus of a new show, 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 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 ministry 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 – and, being part of a large family of nineteen children, they quickly faced speculation about starting a family themselves.
In a 2017 episode of Counting On, Jinger shared that she and her family hoped to be settled and continuing their ministry work in Laredo, dedicated to serving God in any way they could.
Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo welcomed their first daughter, Felicity, on July 19, 2018. Before Felicity’s birth, they shared that Jinger had 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 been courting for only 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 that she’d previously told him, ‘I’m just waiting on you!’ Kendra shared her reaction, saying, ‘I’m so happy and so shocked – I don’t even know what to say!’
The couple has welcomed four children: Garrett, born in June 2018; Addison, born in November 2019; Brooklyn, born in February 2021; and Justus, born in 2022.
Joseph was arrested on March 18, 2026, accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl during a family trip to Florida in 2020. He has denied the charges, which involve inappropriate sexual contact with a minor.
Kendra was officially accused of child endangerment and unlawfully holding someone against their will two days after being arrested.
Eighth in line, Josiah Duggar was born on Aug. 28, 1996.
After dating publicly for only a few months, the couple announced their engagement in March 2018. He shared that he proposed to Lauren in the same location where her parents had gotten engaged, explaining the property held a lot of family history and was particularly meaningful to her.
Lauren’s future mother-in-law, Michelle, shared in a video on the family’s 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 said, ‘I’m guessing you want to save your first kiss for the wedding, but if you visit, we’ll give you…’ and then held up the chocolates as a fun little gift.
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 both trying to discern what God wanted for them. Ultimately, Marjorie didn’t feel the timing was right, so they decided to take a break.
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, in 2022, and welcomed a son named 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 and got engaged in February 2017, marrying just a few months later on May 26, 2017, at Cross Church in Rogers, Arkansas. Interestingly, this was the same wedding where Joseph Forsyth proposed to Kendra Caldwell!
I’ve been so happy following Joy-Anna and Austin’s growing family! They welcomed their first son, Gideon Martin Forsyth, back in February of 2018, and then their sweet daughter, Evelyn Mae Forsyth, arrived in August 2020. Most recently, in May of 2023, they added another little boy, Gunner James Forsyth, to the family – it’s been wonderful watching them become parents!
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 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 wonderful 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.
In January 2017, the Daily Mail reported that Jim Bob helped Jase purchase a run-down house in Prairie Grove, Arkansas—about half an hour from the Duggar family’s home—and Jase later started his own construction business.
I was so thrilled to see him finally share his relationship with Maddie Grace on Instagram back in May 2024! It was lovely to then hear they took the next step and got married just five months later, in October. It’s always wonderful to witness a beautiful connection blossom like theirs.
Charmed No. 13, James Duggar was born July 7, 2001.
He’s not dating anyone openly right now, 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 his knack for figuring things out. Even when he was little, he loved taking things apart – everything from household appliances – to understand how they worked. He wasn’t just about disassembly, though; he always managed to rebuild 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 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.
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 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 someone who easily makes connections with others. Michelle also shared how her younger sisters completely idolize her, and expressed her gratitude for being chosen as 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 always want her to hold them. She also has a big heart for animals and diligently cares for her pets each day. Recently, she even helped raise a family of seven baby 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, 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, a special unit for newborns needing intensive care. Here, she’s pictured holding her niece, Meredith.
Michelle described her daughter, Josie, as full of energy 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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2026-05-08 20:20