Meri Brown, born on January 16, 1971, in Alameda, California, is best known for being the first wife of polygamist patriarch Kody Brown. She grew up in a conservative household and was raised with strong religious beliefs. She met Kody in the late 1980s and they quickly formed a strong connection.
Meri and Kody tied the knot in a legal wedding ceremony in 1990. Their marriage was the beginning of what would become a complicated and unconventional family dynamic. Along with Meri, Kody went on to marry three other women - Janelle, Christine, and Robyn - forming a polygamous family that would later be the subject of the hit reality TV show, Sister Wives.
In 2010, Meri and her sister wives became household names when Sister Wives premiered on TLC. The show offered viewers a glimpse into the lives of the Browns and their unique family arrangement. Meri quickly became a fan favorite, known for her kind heart and unwavering devotion to her family.
Despite the outward appearance of happiness, Meri faced her fair share of challenges. In 2016, she found herself embroiled in a scandal when a woman named Jackie Overton claimed to have had a six-month online affair with Meri, who was pretending to be a man. The incident shook Meri and the entire Brown family, causing tension and strife in their already complex relationships.
Meri and Kody share a daughter named Mariah, born in 1995. Mariah, like her mother, has played a prominent role on Sister Wives, sharing her perspective as a member of a polygamous family. In an effort to solidify their family unit, Meri and Kody legally divorced in 2014 so that Kody could adopt Robyn's children, further cementing their bond.
Outside of her role on Sister Wives, Meri has pursued various business ventures, including a successful online clothing boutique. She has also become an advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing her own struggles and encouraging others to seek help when needed.
Despite the ups and downs that come with being part of a plural marriage, Meri remains dedicated to her family and continues to navigate the complexities of her unique situation with grace and resilience.