Sister Wives star Meri Brown is probably the fan favorite of all Kody Brown’s wives. Remember, Meri is Kody’s first wife. However, she is no longer his legal wife. In fact, legally the couple is divorced. But they maintain they’re still spiritually married and their divorce was merely a family restructuring.
This was so Kody Brown could legally marry his fourth wife Robyn Brown and adopt her three children from her former marriage. Many Sister Wives viewers see this legal divorce as Meri’s golden ticket to leave the family. However, she seems committed to both her marriage and extended family. Here are a few other tidbits about Kody’s first wife you may not know.
Sister Wives: First Wife Meri Brown is a California Girl
Sister Wives celeb Meri Caroline Barber Brown was born on January 16, 1971, in Alameda, California. She is the daughter of William James “Bill” Barber, Jr and Bonnie Ahlstrom. Meri’s father died in 2007 and her mom now lives at her bed and breakfast, Lizzie’s Heritage Inn. Fun fact, the inn was originally owned by Meri’s great-grandparents.
Meri Brown has a total of six siblings. She has four sisters (Rebekah, Teresa, Elaine, and Deborah Barber) and two brothers (Adam and Marc William Barber). Another tidbit is that her brother Adam was married to Janelle before she married Kody. So Janelle Brown was Meri’s sister-in-law even before they were Sister Wives.
Meri Brown Struggled With Fertility
Sister Wives mom has one Meri Brown always wanted more children. Although, she’s blessed with one daughter, Mariah Brown, she yearned to have more kids with Kody. And, though she was the first wife to marry Kody, she was the third to bear him a child. Of course, that created tension between her and the other two wives at the time.
However, once Robyn Brown joined the Sister Wives family, she offered herself as a surrogate for Meri Brown and their shared husband. Sadly, after a heart-wrenching process, Kody decided Robyn carrying his and Meri’s child made him uncomfortable. So, Meri and Kody’s marriage took yet another hit and caused an even bigger rift between the spouses.
Sister Wives: She Lost Her Job Because Of The Show?
Sister Wives fans recall Meri Brown was a working mom when the series debuted. She was a counselor at a mental health facility in Utah. However, once the show aired and her polygamous home life was exposed, they fired her.
Meri’s boss knew of her unconventional family life and didn’t have an issue with it. However, he changed his tune when the show aired. He felt it would have a negative impact on his business and decided to sever ties with her.
But, Meri didn’t stay unemployed long. Now, she is a big wig in the online clothing world selling LuLaRoe. Plus, she is the sole proprietor of her B&B. Certainly, of all Sister Wives, she is the most financially independent. In fact, her net worth’s estimated at $500, 000.
