Madison Brush, 29, is Kody and Janelle Brown’s daughter. She’s revealing the financial struggles her family faced before the hit TLC show Sister Wives made them famous. On her Authentic Society podcast, Madison spoke candidly. She had a tough upbringing with few resources.
“Before the show, we were very poor,” Madison Brush admitted. “I think my dad made decent money, but we had 15 kids.”
The Sister Wives series debuted in 2010, giving viewers a look inside the Brown family’s polygamous lifestyle. At the time, Kody Brown was married to four women – Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn – and raising their 18 children. But before TLC cameras rolled, life wasn’t easy for the large family.
Sister Wives: Kody’s “Get-Rich-Quick” Schemes and Financial Struggles
While Kody Brown worked as a sign salesman, Madison revealed that his tendency to pursue risky investments often added to the family’s financial strain.
“My dad always chose the get-rich-quick scheme, almost always,” she shared, comparing his decisions to her husband Caleb Brush’s more cautious financial approach. “I remember explaining some [of Kody’s] ideas to him, and he was like, ‘No, no.’”
Madison Brush also noted that her parents preferred to spend, not save. “When we got our tax returns when we were younger, my parents immediately spent it on something,” she recalled.
However, she praised her mother, Janelle, for her relatively sound financial decisions. Madison and Janelle recently launched Taeda Farms, a flower and property farm. It shows Janelle’s practical side.
Sister Wives: Family Struggles Shape Madison’s Parenting Philosophy
Despite the challenges, Madison emphasized that her upbringing gave her valuable life lessons. “It made me the parent I am today,” she reflected.
Madison, pregnant with her fourth child, has voiced her estrangement from Kody. She has also discussed the family tension shown in season 19 of Sister Wives. Her candid revelations add another layer to the show’s narrative of shifting dynamics and unresolved conflicts.
Sister Wives: Janelle Brown’s Past Marriage Struggles
Madison’s reflections came as her mother, Janelle Brown, shared her own experiences during a recent episode of Sister Wives. Janelle revealed the isolation she felt after marrying Kody in 1993.
“When Kody and I got married, my family was very upset with my decision to join the faith, so most of my family was not talking to me,” Janelle explained. She added that she wore a green dress to her wedding because she couldn’t afford a gown.
Janelle’s estranged relationship with Kody ended in 2022. She’s now focused on building a future with her children, including Madison.
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