The family’s 2018 move to Arizona led to significant expenses, including an $820,000 purchase of Coyote Pass land, which remained undeveloped due to financial and family disputes. Failed businesses, medical bills, and high mortgage payments compounded their financial challenges. During Sister Wives season 19, Kody pinned their financial troubles on his former second wife, Janelle Brown, who handled the bookkeeping.
The Browns Always Struggled Financially
There Was Never Enough Money Coming In
The Brown family faced persistent financial difficulties despite their reality TV income from appearing on Sister Wives. Janelle accused Kody of mismanaging family funds, alleging he and Robyn prioritized lavish spending (on luxury cars and a $1.6 million home, for example) over collective goals. Kody often talked about having to pay for a full fleet of cars.
Kody and Janelle’s daughter, Maddie Brush, was interviewed on the Authentic Society podcast on YouTube, where she opened up about her family’s financial situation while growing up.
“Before the show, we were very poor,” Maddie said. “I think my dad made decent money, but we had 15 kids.“
Finances would get even harder after the Sister Wives stars added three more children to the mix.
Kody Blames Janelle Brown For Their Financial Problems
She Insists She Was Just Keeping The Books
During a recent episode of Sister Wives season 19 Tell All special, Kody blamed much of their financial troubles on Janelle. Janelle, who left Kody in 2022 after 29 years of marriage, used to do the family’s bookkeeping.
According to the rest of the sister wives, Kody led them all to believe Janelle was the one making the family’s financial decisions. Janelle insists that she was just doing the accounting.
