Why ‘Sister Wives’ Janelle And Meri Brown Are No Longer Family

Janelle Brown and Meri Brown: A Tenuous Sisterhood in the Wake of Kody’s Fallout.  It has never been a well-kept secret that Janelle Brown and Meri Brown were far from being best friends. Their relationship, from the very beginning, was built on shaky ground. Janelle, Kody Brown’s second wife, was originally married to Meri’s brother before stepping into the polygamous family. One can only imagine how difficult it must have been for Meri to accept that her sister-in-law was now also her husband’s new wife.

This dynamic set the stage for decades of tension, making their bond more of an obligation than a genuine connection.

Janelle and Meri: A History of Discord

In the Brown family memoir, Becoming Sister Wives, the rift between Janelle and Meri was laid bare.

Unlike Kody’s other relationships, where wives found ways to coexist, Janelle and Meri struggled from the start. They were fundamentally different, which led to constant friction.

Janelle and Kody bonded intellectually, something that Meri found difficult to relate to. Meri herself admitted in the book that she was often “harsh and aggressive” toward Janelle, which only deepened their divide.

Over the years, the only real link between them remained their children, who were raised together despite their mothers’ cold war.

One of the biggest catalysts for their ongoing discord was Meri’s close friendship with Kody’s fourth and favorite wife, Robyn Brown. Their alliance further alienated Janelle, reinforcing a feeling of being on the outside looking in.

In a past podcast, Janelle candidly admitted, “I know she and Robyn were always pretty close to a lot of things. So I don’t know if she was separate. I mean, she and Kody had been estranged for many, many years.”

However, in an unexpected twist, Janelle and Meri’s shared grievances with Kody brought them to a rare moment of unity.

Despite years of being at odds, they found themselves on the same side when it came to Kody’s treatment of them both.

Meri acknowledged this struggle in a recent episode, saying, “I feel very peaceful about our situation, but he doesn’t. Some of the things that he’s saying are really, really, really mean. He clearly has a lot of internal [feelings] that he still needs to work on here.”

Janelle Brown’s Pragmatic Approach

Janelle, ever the realist, has begun viewing her departure from Kody as a business transaction rather than an emotional breakup.

During Sister Wives’ mid-season finale, she vented some long-held frustrations, comparing their marriage dissolution to the dissolving of a failing enterprise.

“I’m so, so glad Meri understands why it’s wise to have a lawyer because we’re not family anymore,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of legal representation.

For once, Janelle and Meri were in agreement—they needed lawyers to protect their individual interests.

Meri, the owner of Lizzie’s Heritage Inn, expressed skepticism about Kody and Robyn’s possible ulterior motives, stating, “I feel like Kody and Robyn probably have some plan of what they want to do and how they want to handle it.” She further reflected, “I think that Janelle has some sort of plan, and I know that I do as well. And none of us are talking to each other because none of us trust each other.”

Despite their distrust, both women took decisive steps. Janelle confirmed that she would be hiring an attorney, recognizing that it was time for someone to advocate for her interests.

This decision signified a major turning point—one where Janelle no longer felt beholden to the tangled web of Brown family dynamics.

The Coyote Pass Standoff

The most significant sticking point in their separation remains the ownership and division of Coyote Pass, the land that was supposed to be a shared family dream. Janelle laid out the numbers, explaining, “So, we own, in total, about 14 acres out at Coyote Pass.

The way it’s titled—if we were to sell it right now—Meri would get compensated for, like, an acre and a half of the whole 14.”

The problem? Kody holds the ultimate power over the land. As Janelle pointed out, “This whole conversation really hinges on Kody. He’s the one that is on all the titles. He’s the one that has to make changes in ownership. Are you going to show up and divide these fairly?”

She expressed frustration over his erratic nature, noting, “What are we doing? Because he’s very wishy-washy. He says something. Then you don’t hear from him forever. I don’t know… there’s no reassurance that he’s going to be kind.”

Janelle’s determination to secure what she is rightfully owed is a reflection of her growth. While the Brown family dynamic was once a force keeping her tied to Kody, she now sees it for what it is—a past chapter that she is ready to close.

Unlike Meri, who still seems to struggle with letting go entirely, Janelle is resolute in her choice to move forward.

As of now, Meri and Janelle’s alliance remains fragile at best. While they have found common ground in their legal battles, history suggests that their connection will likely remain one of convenience rather than genuine friendship.

Janelle is focused on securing her independence, ensuring that she walks away with what is rightfully hers. In the grand scheme of the Sister Wives saga, it’s clear that both women are rewriting their futures—just not necessarily as friends.

Sister Wives is available to stream on TLC.

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