Kody Brown hasn't been the best at keeping his marriages in Sister Wives impassioned, and some think the only reason why the Brown family's plural marriage is still afloat at all is for financial gain. For the past decade Kody and his four spouses have shared their unconventional stories, audiences have observed the distance between the patriarch and his quartet of wives. From the affection-less connections between the spiritual partners to the Brown clan's history of economic insecurity, here's why Kody and his wives could be holding onto their deteriorating relationships for money and not love.
Kody is an ardent advocate for polygamy, but his plural marriage hasn't always been the most encouraging evidence that having multiple partners creates a loving environment. Specifically, Kody tends to have issues with his first three wives, Meri, Janelle, and Christine. Ever since he tied the knot with his fourth and latest wife, Robyn, in Sister Wives season 1, Kody's relationships with his first trio of spouses have been rocky. Fans have rooted for Kody's wives to leave him for some time since the family's reality series regularly highlights the unbalanced dynamics between the patriarch and his partners. While some viewers assume the Browns have attempted to work through their issues because of their religious beliefs, cynics allege Kody and his sister wives are sticking it out for financial gain.
Divorce hadn't been an option for Kody and his wives until Christine's brave departure in early November. Sister Wives fans argue that breaking up should be an option for Kody and his spouses because it's clear they don't get along. Kody's confessed he regrets getting married to Meri, who has felt so emotionally neglected by her husband, she engaged in a relationship with a catfish on Twitter for affection. Kody's second wife, Janelle, has also shared that she contemplated leaving during her first years as a sister wife because she didn't feel connected to Meri or Kody. Even the patriarch's strongest relationship with Robyn appears to be wearing thin thanks to the stress the coronavirus put on the family. Fans believe that the only reason why Kody, Meri, Janelle, and Robyn would endure their loveless marriages would be for a paycheck rather than their religious beliefs.
Kody and his wives have been open about their financial issues throughout Sister Wives' run, and fans believe the polygamous patriarch's main source of income is his starring role in the reality series. From Janelle getting her real estate license to Meri opening up a bed and breakfast, all of Kody's partners took on hustles to make up for the Brown family's economic troubles. Alternatively, Kody hasn't demonstrated any career aside from his reality stardom. This has prompted many fans to hypothesize that Kody upholds apathetic relationships with his wives based on his family's financial needs. If Meri were to leave Kody, not only would Kody's first wife lose her job on the series, but the reality show would lose the conflict that arises from the pair's contentious dynamic. As a professional reality star, it's Kody's job to ensure that his family is together for Sister Wives, not for love.
Kody and his wives might be in denial about the state of their relationships, but fans believe the set of polygamists are still together for money. In addition to having loveless marriages, Kody and his wives need the paychecks their marital drama accrues. Luckily for Sister Wives fans, Kody and his wives will continue to fight for the foreseeable future, regardless of their alleged ulterior motives.