Janelle Brown is a reality TV star, author, and businesswoman who rose to fame as one of the four wives of Kody Brown, a polygamist featured on the TLC show Sister Wives. However, after more than two decades of marriage, Janelle and Kody announced their separation in December 2022, leaving many fans wondering about Janelle’s life, career, and family.
Early Life, Birthday, and Education
Janelle Brown was born on May 6, 1969 (age: 54 years, as of 2023), in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Robert Schriever and Sheryl Usher. She has one sister named Carrie. Janelle grew up in a Mormon family and attended Bountiful High School. She later graduated from the University of Phoenix with a degree in accounting.
Janelle Brown Wiki/Bio
| Name | Janelle Brown |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Janelle S. Schriever |
| Birth date | May 6, 1969 |
| Birth place | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Hair color | Blonde |
| Occupation | Reality TV star, author, businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) | Adam Barber (m. 1988–1990), Kody Brown (m. 1993–2022) |
| Children | Logan, Madison, Hunter, Garrison, Gabriel, Savanah |
| Parents | Robert Schriever and Sheryl Usher |
| Siblings | Carrie |
| Education | Bountiful High School, University of Phoenix |
| Favorite book | The Book Thief by Markus Zusak |
| Favorite movie | The Sound of Music |
| Favorite music genre | Country |
| Favorite singer | Carrie Underwood |
| Favorite sport | Football |
| Favorite team | Denver Broncos |
| Favorite food | Pizza |
| Favorite drink | Coffee |
| Favorite color | Blue |
| Favorite animal | Cat |
| Favorite place | Zion National Park |
First Marriage and Divorce
Before marrying Kody Brown, Janelle was married to Adam Barber, who was the brother of Kody’s first wife, Meri Brown. She and Adam tied the knot in 1988, but their marriage did not last long. They divorced in 1990, and she remained close friends with Meri.
Joining the Brown Family
Janelle Brown met Kody Brown through Meri, who introduced them as potential spiritual spouses. She was attracted to Kody’s charisma and personality, and she agreed to join his plural family. She and Kody had a spiritual wedding in 1993, and Janelle became Kody’s second wife. Together, they had six children: Logan, Madison, Hunter, Garrison, Gabriel, and Savanah.
Physical Stats
- Height: 5 ft 7 in or 170 cm
- Weight: 71 kg or 156.5 lbs
- Eye color: Blue
- Hair color: Blonde
- Skin color: White
Reality TV Career
Janelle and her family became famous when they appeared on the TLC reality show Sister Wives, which premiered in 2010. The show follows the lives of Kody Brown and his four wives: Meri, Janelle, Christine, and Robyn, and their 18 children. The show documents the challenges and joys of living in a polygamous household, as well as the family’s moves from Utah to Nevada and Arizona.
Janelle Brown also appeared on other TV shows, such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Wendy Williams Show, WGN Morning News, and Entertainment Tonight. She also co-authored a book with her sister wives, titled Becoming Sister Wives: The Story of an Unconventional Marriage, which was published in 2012.
Business Ventures
Apart from being a TV personality, Janelle is also a businesswoman. She is a partner and president of Strive with Janelle, a health and wellness company that offers online coaching and fitness programs. She also worked as a realtor at TMI Realty from 2013 to 2018. Additionally, she is involved in My Sisterwife’s Closet, an online boutique that sells jewelry and clothing.
Separation from Kody Brown
Janelle Brown and Kody’s marriage was not always smooth sailing. They faced several issues, such as financial troubles, communication problems, and disagreements over the family’s living arrangements. She also struggled with her weight and self-esteem and felt neglected by Kody at times.
In December 2022, she announced on Instagram that she and Kody had decided to separate after 29 years of marriage. She wrote:
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that after a lot of thought, prayer and discussions with Kody, we have decided to end our marriage. This decision was not made lightly, but we feel it is the best for us and our family. We have shared many wonderful years together, and we will always cherish the memories and the love we have for each other and our children. We ask for your respect and privacy during this difficult time.
Janelle was the second wife to leave Kody, after Christine, who announced her split from Kody in November 2021. In January 2023, Kody and his first wife, Meri, also confirmed that they had permanently separated after years of estrangement. Robyn remains Kody’s only legal and spiritual wife.
Son’s Tragic Death
Janelle Brown and Kody suffered a devastating loss in March 2024, when their son Garrison Brown died at the age of 25. According to People magazine, Garrison’s death was ruled as a suicide, and he was found by his brother Gabriel in their home in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Janelle and Kody shared a heartfelt tribute to their son on Instagram, saying:
Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown. He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory.
Garrison was one of the six children of Janelle and Kody, and he appeared on Sister Wives along with his siblings. He was known for his adventurous and outgoing personality, and he loved animals, music, and sports. He had recently adopted a third rescue cat, just days before his death.
Current Status and Future Plans
Janelle Brown is currently living in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she moved with her family in 2018. She is focusing on her health, business, and children, and she is active on social media, where she posts updates and photos of her life. She is also working on her memoir, which she hopes to publish soon.
She has not revealed if she is dating anyone new, but she has expressed her support for her ex-sister wife Christine, who announced her engagement to David Woolley in July 2023. She also remains on good terms with Kody, and they have vowed to always have a relationship for the sake of their children.
Janelle Brown is a remarkable woman who has lived an unconventional and fascinating life. She has faced many challenges and joys as a sister wife, a mother, and a TV star, and she has shown resilience and courage in the face of adversity. She is an inspiration to many, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Source
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $400,000 |
| 2023 | $400,000 |
| 2024 | $400,000 |
