Inside Jana Duggar’s Life: Her World Beyond Family

Josh Duggar, born on March 3, 1988, is the eldest child of the Duggar family. He became known for his role as a conservative activist, particularly for his campaigning efforts with the Family Research Council.

However, his career faced a significant setback in 2015 when old police records came to light. These records revealed accusations that Josh had molested several girls, including his sisters Jessa and Jill, during his teenage years. Jessa, in a sit-down interview with Fox News in June of that year, defended her brother. She asserted that the severe criticisms directed at Josh were exaggerated and untrue, emphasizing her position as one of the victims.

Despite the scandal, Josh’s wife, Anna, stood by him. This support extended to when Josh admitted to infidelity. In 2016, he checked into a treatment center. His parents described this as a “crucial first step in recovering and healing.” At the time, they were parents to three children–daughter Mackynzie (born Oct. 8, 2009) and sons Michael (born June 15, 2011) and Marcus (born June 2, 2013). Amid the controversy, Anna gave birth to their fourth child, Meredith, on July 16, 2015, coinciding with TLC’s cancellation of the show “19 Kids and Counting.” Their family continued to grow with the birth of their fifth child, son Mason Garett, on Sept. 12, 2017, daughter Maryella Hope on Nov. 27, 2019, and their seventh child, Madyson Lily, on Oct. 23, 2021.

In April 2021, Josh faced more legal troubles when a federal indictment charged him with receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to both charges, but in 2022, he was found guilty. This led to a sentence of 12 and a half years in prison.