After dancing around the issue on Welcome to Plathville season 4, Barry and Kim Plath have announced that they’ve split up for good and are seeking a divorce. Kim and Barry are known on the TLC show for their traditional views, and the couple raised their nine children in near isolation from the rest of society. While Kim and Barry have received criticism for being closed-minded and restrictive throughout three seasons of the TLC show, but in season 4 their storyline took a sharp turn.
This season, Kim has been very vocal about how unhappy she is in her marriage to Barry. After breaking the news to their children that they were separating, Barry moved out of the master bedroom to give Kim the space she needed. But Kim was still struggling with her feelings. In a recent episode the couple had an honest sit-down to talk about their marriage. Going into the conversation, Kim’s mind was made up that she wanted out. But after Barry’s pleading to give their marriage another chance, Kim’s resolve wavered.
However, though Kim didn’t follow through with asking for a divorce during the Welcome to Plathville episode, the couple’s relationship didn’t improve. In a statement to People, Kim and Barry confirmed their split. "After considerable thought and discussion, we have decided to end our marriage,” read the statement. “While this was not an easy decision, we know it's the best choice for both of us. We have been through many highs and lows in our 24 years of marriage and as we navigate this new chapter in our lives, we will co-parent our amazing children." Many Welcome to Plathville viewers were certain that Kim would never leave Barry for good, but based on her unhappiness in season 4, the writing was definitely on the wall.
Neither Kim nor Barry are active on social media, so there’s been no word from them aside from their official statement. Many of their children are on Instagram, though there’s been radio silence from the Plath family kids as well. On the show, their parents’ separation sent most of the Plath children reeling, except for Ethan Plath, who has been kept in the dark. Though viewers have been highly critical of Kim and Barry in the past, Kim’s effort to find happiness has gained her sympathy, despite Barry considering her selfish. On the show, Barry wasn’t in favor of separating, and while Kim is likely relieved to be out of her marriage, Barry will probably take it much harder.
Aside from the comment that they will "co-parent," the statement didn’t include any details about custody arrangements for Barry and Kim’s children who are still under 18, so the future of their family and the show are unclear. However, many Welcome to Plathville fans will see Kim and Barry’s breakup as a positive development for the Plath family. Barry and Kim’s separation storyline on the show will have lost some of its punch, but at least viewers now know that the two have seemingly made the right decision to end their toxic relationship.
Source: People