Kendra Duggar’s Thoughts on Her Marriage to Joseph Duggar Before His Arrest
Kendra Duggar (née Caldwell) had previously painted a positive portrait of her life with Joseph Duggar, a former reality TV star known for his family’s appearances on the now-closed series 19 Kids and Counting. The show debuted on TLC in 2008, showcasing the conservative Christian household of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.
The couple began their courtship in March 2017, becoming engaged just four months later. They were married in September 2017, with Joseph being 22 years old and Kendra 19 at the time. Together, they welcomed four children: sons Garrett and Justus, and daughters Addison and Brooklyn.
Joseph Duggar made headlines on March 18, 2026, when he was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 12, following his brother Josh Duggar’s arrest on similar charges five years earlier.
Us Weekly reviews Kendra Duggar’s insights into her marriage with Joseph:
How Kendra Duggar Met Joseph Duggar
Kendra and Joseph’s relationship developed through a close family friendship fostered by their church community. They began courting in March 2017, with the aim of determining whether they could better serve God together than apart, according to the Duggar family website.
Within four months, Joseph proposed to Kendra.
TLC
Expressing their enthusiasm, the couple remarked, “We are super excited. It’s great to not be courting anymore, now we’re engaged!” Kendra added her surprise, stating, “I’m so happy and so shocked. There are so many words I want to say, but just shocked.”
Insights on Their Marriage
Referring to her wedding day, Kendra shared the surreal experience of wearing a wedding dress. “It was definitely strange to see myself in a wedding dress. You always dream of the day, but when it actually arrives, you can’t really believe it,” she reflected in a season 5 episode of Counting On, which aired in 2018.
The couple wed at First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. After their marriage, Joseph expressed gratitude to supporters, saying, “We just want to thank all the fans for all your support and your encouragement to us. Y’all mean a lot.”
Kendra cherished her moments with Joseph post-marriage, appreciating their time together.
TLC
“One of the most enjoyable things about being married to Joe is just being together so much,” Kendra told People. “I can hug him, kiss him, talk with him, and be with him all the time. Being with your best friend makes marriage amazing.”
The couple welcomed their first son, Garrett, in 2018, followed by their daughter Addison Renee the following year, and Brooklyn Praise in 2021. Their fourth child arrived in 2022. Kendra had previously shared their family’s closeness on social media, but she ceased posting updates in 2021. In a wedding anniversary post from 2020, she praised Joseph’s selflessness, particularly during difficult times.
Joseph Duggar’s Legal Issues
Joseph was booked in Arkansas on March 18, 2026, for lewd and lascivious behavior involving a minor after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a vacation in Florida in 2020, as stated in a press release from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
He reportedly “admitted his actions” when confronted by the girl’s father and Arkansas detectives on March 17. Joseph is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County.
As of now, neither his wife nor family members have publicly commented on the situation.
Charges Against Kendra Duggar
In the wake of Joseph’s arrest, both Kendra and Joseph were charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment. Kendra was subsequently released after posting a bond of $1,470.
