The world of Sister Wives has never been short of drama, but right now, all eyes are on Robyn Brown. Once hailed as the woman who was supposed to bring harmony and balance to the plural family, Robyn is now being portrayed as struggling with something much deeper—an identity crisis that’s shaking not only her relationship with Kody Brown but also her entire sense of self.
For years, Robyn has insisted that her core identity is tied to being a polygamist wife, living in plural marriage, and raising her children in a religious community. She has claimed that her dream was to grow old alongside her sister wives, surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying the sense of belonging that comes with one big, united family. But the reality has turned out to be the complete opposite. Instead of finding peace and security in plural marriage, Robyn now finds herself alienated, questioned, and criticized—even by those within her own household.
Robyn’s Ideal vs. Reality
From the start, Robyn often reminded everyone that polygamy wasn’t just a lifestyle for her—it was who she was. She presented herself as the devoted spiritual wife, someone who believed that plural marriage was a divine principle. But behind the polished image, the cracks began to show.
Despite her words, the family rarely lived the “communal” life Robyn claimed to value. Mary has openly stated that Robyn rarely reached out to her except when filming required it. Christine and Janelle also hinted at the distance that existed between them and Robyn, exposing that the so-called dream of a tight-knit sisterhood was more of a performance than reality.
It’s this gap between Robyn’s ideal and the truth that feeds into the growing idea of an identity crisis. Robyn has tied her entire existence to being “the plural wife,” but when the other wives left Kody, that identity crumbled before her eyes.
The Influence Over Kody
There’s another undeniable truth: Robyn has had immense influence over Kody’s decisions since the moment she entered the family. Viewers and even the other wives have pointed out how Kody began prioritizing her needs and wants over those of the original wives. Moves to new cities, changes in family dynamics, and even the way Kody restructured his relationships—Robyn has had a hand in all of it.
Yet, for someone who insists on the importance of living near a religious community, attending services, and keeping her kids involved in faith-based activities, Robyn hasn’t always lived up to her own standards. For years, she seemed content living without a church community, even when opportunities presented themselves. This inconsistency only deepens the criticism that Robyn’s “identity” is more of a performance than a genuine belief.
A “Holier Than Thou” Personal

What makes matters worse for Robyn is how she presents herself. She often comes across as sanctimonious—acting as though she is the only one upholding the values of faith, family, and sacrifice. To outsiders, it can feel like she disguises herself daily as being holier than the other wives. But the more she speaks, the more contradictions emerge.
Christine once pointed out that Robyn had never truly lived plural marriage the way the other wives had. While Christine, Janelle, and Meri shared households, burdens, and responsibilities for decades, Robyn spent the bulk of her adult life in monogamous marriages. In fact, her first marriage lasted over a decade before her husband filed for divorce. For someone who so strongly identifies as a “plural wife,” Robyn has had little real-world experience living that way.
Lies, Narratives, and Control
This leads to one of the biggest issues Robyn faces—her story doesn’t always add up. She has made claims about her past that don’t align with facts, timelines, or even the footage captured in earlier seasons of Sister Wives. Critics argue that she has rewritten her own history to fit the narrative of being the perfect, long-suffering, faithful wife.
But beyond the storytelling, there is also the question of control. Robyn and Kody have been accused of turning the family into a performance for the cameras rather than a real reflection of polygamist life. Their obsession with appearances, finances, and material possessions has overshadowed the original spiritual message the family once claimed to uphold. Fans point to the luxurious lifestyle, the expensive purchases, and the constant focus on status as evidence that the Browns—especially Kody and Robyn—are more concerned with image than faith.
Robyn’s Place Among the Sister Wives
Perhaps the most painful reality for Robyn is that she never achieved the role she wanted within the family. She once hoped to be the nucleus of the household, with her children seen as the “main” family and the others revolving around her. But this expectation backfired spectacularly.
Instead of gaining loyalty and unity, Robyn became a divisive figure. The other wives felt alienated, unappreciated, and excluded. Her attempts to position herself and her children as Kody’s top priority ultimately led to resentment, fueling the very collapse of the family she claimed to cherish.
The Identity Crisis Deepens
So now, where does that leave Robyn? With Meri, Christine, and Janelle all gone from Kody’s side, she is no longer a “plural wife” in practice. She is simply Kody’s only wife—living monogamy in every way except in name. For someone who has loudly proclaimed that polygamy is her entire identity, this reality is crushing.
How does she reconcile being the woman who declared she could never live outside of plural marriage, yet is now in the exact situation she once said she could not accept? How does she explain raising her children in an environment without the very religious community she claimed was essential to their well-being?
This is where the identity crisis lies. Robyn has spent years defining herself by a lifestyle she never fully lived and by values she has repeatedly contradicted. Now, as the illusion crumbles, she faces the painful truth: without the plural family around her, who is Robyn Brown?
Fans’ Harsh Take
Viewers have not been shy about voicing their opinions. Many accuse Robyn of being manipulative, insincere, and hypocritical. They argue that she has benefited from playing the role of the “faithful wife” while undermining the family dynamic at every turn. Others say she has weaponized religion to justify her choices while ignoring the real damage those choices have caused.
Some even go as far as calling her the downfall of Sister Wives—the person who came in with promises of unity but left the family in ruins. Whether that’s fair or not, it is undeniable that Robyn is now carrying the burden of being the last wife standing, a role that leaves her exposed to more criticism than ever before.
The Bigger Picture
Ultimately, Robyn’s struggles reflect a much larger question about identity, faith, and family in the world of Sister Wives. Can someone truly define themselves by a lifestyle they’ve never fully embraced? What happens when the role you’ve tied your identity to disappears? And how much of the drama is real, and how much is just for television?
These are the questions fans are asking as Robyn’s story continues to unfold. One thing is certain—her identity crisis is far from over. With every season, every interview, and every decision she makes, Robyn Brown is forced to confront the contradictions at the heart of her life.
For now, she remains by Kody’s side, holding tightly to the idea that she is still living her truth. But as the walls close in, as fans call out her inconsistencies, and as the dream of a big, happy, plural family fades further into the past, Robyn must face the reality: her identity as a “plural wife” may have always been more of a performance than a reality.