Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom

Woolley recalls the day that her perspective on her family life changed. After Ysabel’s surgery, she realized that she didn’t “want to be doing this for eternity” (218) with Kody, Meri, Janelle, and Robyn. The next time Kody came over, she told him that she no longer wanted him in her bedroom and said that he could only come over to see the children. On camera, she also told him that she no longer wanted to be married and planned to return to Utah. After making these declarations, she felt free for the first time.

Woolley reflects on the evolution of Sister Wives. The early episodes presented a happy family, but as time went on, the drama permeating the Brown family increased, and filming became even more tense during COVID. Kody was especially paranoid about the virus and issued rules of conduct to everyone in the family. Desperate to escape, Woolley spent Thanksgiving with her daughter, Aspyn, and Aspyn’s husband, Mitch. The affair was markedly calmer than all her other family holidays.

Woolley recalls the end of her marriage to Kody. She called her mom for advice, unsure of how to make the final break. Annie assured her that she already knew what she wanted and urged Woolley to make decisions that would bring her joy. Woolley took Annie’s advice and started making changes. Meanwhile, she worked to preserve her relationship with Janelle, with whom she’d formed a tight bond. She prayed a lot during this time, too, and she realized that she could still love God even though she was leaving the church and her family behind. Finally, she made arrangements to leave Flagstaff. Selling her bedroom set felt particularly liberating. However, Kody continued to disparage her on camera for her decisions. Despite her distress, she was careful to set a good example for her children and to embrace love instead of bitterness.

Woolley had difficulty breaking up with Kody. Theirs wasn’t a legal marriage, so they didn’t have to go through the courts, but Kody demanded a 50/50 split of everything they owned, and Woolley fought back. She leaned on the support of her viewers in order to stay strong as she prioritized her children’s needs.

Woolley started telling her children about the divorce; although this development surprised none of them, it was hard for Truely. On camera one day, Woolley told her sister wives and their children of her plans. Everyone was surprised and upset, but Woolley assured them that they were still a family. Meanwhile, she finalized her plans to move to Utah. In retrospect, these were the best decisions she ever made for herself.

After the divorce, Woolley and Janelle took a trip to Disneyland with their children. While they were away, Kody reached out to Janelle, informing her that he had COVID and demanding that she return home to care for him. Woolley urged her not to go.

Over the following months, Woolley and Truely settled into their new life in Utah. They continued visiting Flagstaff so that Truely could see Kody. Woolley often felt sick before these trips, but she gradually realized that she was no longer affected by Kody and the family’s drama. She worked hard to create her own life and traditions outside the larger Brown family. About a year later, Janelle ended her relationship with Kody, too, and confided in Woolley about it.

Woolley recalls the start of her dating life. Her daughters helped her to set up an online dating profile, but the experience was difficult because Woolley had never dated before. Then she met David. She was thrilled that David had watched Sister Wives and was already familiar with her story. The two formed a bond right away, but David didn’t kiss Woolley on their second date. He later told her that he was being gentlemanly. When they finally shared their passionate first kiss, Woolley was overwhelmed by emotion.

Woolley reflects on her relationship with David. They grew intimate quickly and were open about their feelings and past lives. They learned to work together and put each other first. Soon, David moved in with Woolley and Truely.

Shortly after Woolley and David moved in together, David proposed. Woolley accepted, and they soon bought a new house together. Then David came on the show. Woolley feared that drama would arise between him and Kody, but the episode went well. She and her kids told Kody how present David was in their lives.

Woolley recalls getting the news of Janelle and Kody’s son, Garrison’s, death. He died by suicide in March 2024. Woolley and the family were overcome by grief, and in the months thereafter, they tried to honor his memory.

Woolley reflects on the experience of writing her memoir. She admits how hard it has been and thanks everyone for their support, underscoring how much Janelle’s love has meant to her over the years. She also reflects on how much her relationship with David has changed her life, her self-regard, and her outlook on love.