Long before news of his arrest, Kendra Duggar (née Caldwell) painted a warm picture of her life with Joseph Duggar, who rose to reality TV fame alongside his family.
Viewers got to know the Duggars on their now-defunct series 19 Kids and Counting, which premiered on TLC back in 2008, and gave an inside look at Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar’s conservative Christian household.
The couple began courting in March 2017 and got engaged within four months. Kendra and Joseph exchanged vows in September 2017. At the time of their nuptials, Joseph was 22 years old and Kendra was 19 years old. They went on to welcome four children together: sons Garrett and Justus and daughters Addison and Brooklyn.
Five years after the arrest of his brother Josh Duggar on child pornography charges, Joseph made headlines whens he was charged on March 18, 2026, with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
Us Weekly is breaking down what Kendra has shared about her marriage to Joseph Duggar:
How Kendra Duggar Met Joseph Duggar
Kendra and Joseph grew close as their relatives formed a close friendship through church. They entered a courtship in March 2017, with the intention of seeing if their relationship could lead to marriage or if they “can serve and honor God better together than apart,” per the Duggar family website.
Within four months, Joseph popped the question to Kendra.
“We are super excited. It’s great to not be courting anymore, now we’re engaged!” the couple gushed to People at the time. “I’m so happy and so shocked. There’s so many words I want to say, but just shocked,” Kendra added.
What Kendra Duggar Has Said About Her Marriage to Joseph Duggar
“It was definitely strange to see myself, I think, in a wedding dress. You always dream of the day but when it actually arrives, you can’t really believe it,” Kendra told cameras while choosing what to wear on her big day during a season 5 episode of Counting On, which aired in 2018.
The couple went on to tie the knot at First Baptist Church in Siloam Springs in Arkansas.
“We’re so excited to be newlyweds now,” Joe said in a video message on the family’s website following their nuptials. “We just want to thank all the fans for all your support and your encouragement to us. Y’all mean a lot.”
After making it official, Kendra said she was cherishing the moments she got to spend with him.
“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 and be with him all the time. Being with your best friend makes marriage amazing.”
They welcomed their first child, son Garrett, in 2018. Their second child, Addison Renee, was born the next year, then daughter Brooklyn Praise joined the family in 2021. Joseph and Kendra welcomed their fourth child in 2022.
Kendra stopped posting photos of her brood and sharing updates in 2021. The year prior, she gushed over their bond in an Instagram caption while celebrating their wedding anniversary.
“I absolutely LOVE doing life by your side! There are so many things that I admire about you but one thing that has really been apparent is how truly selfless you are,” she wrote at the time. “In this season of life that we are in where morning/all day sickness has changed the way we do things you have definitely picked up doing so much around the house as well as taking care of the kids. I’m feeling so blessed to call you my husband. I love you to the moon and back.”
What Has Joseph Duggar Been Charged With?
Joseph was booked in Arkansas on March 18, 2026, for lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor after allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl during a 2020 vacation in Florida, according to a press release.
He allegedly “admitted his actions” when confronted by the girl’s father and Arkansas detectives on March 17, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida revealed. Joseph is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County.
His wife and family have not publicly issued a statement.
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