The Great Duggar Divide: 7 Shocking Updates On The 19 Kids And Counting Family In 2025

The Duggar family, once the face of conservative Christian reality television on TLC's 19 Kids and Counting, has undergone a dramatic and often controversial transformation in recent years. As of December 18, 2025, the sprawling Arkansas clan is more divided than ever, with some children embracing a life outside the strict family doctrine and others continuing the tradition of massive families and fundamentalist teachings. The narrative has shifted from wholesome family values to legal battles, personal rebuilding, and a stark public separation from the family's patriarchs, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.

The family that once lived under the umbrella of 'The Big House' is now scattered, pursuing vastly different paths that reflect a generational break from the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and its controversial teachings. The biggest headlines of 2025 continue to revolve around the legal status of the eldest son and the surprising independence of several prominent daughters.

The Duggar Family: A Quick Biography and Overview

The Duggar family saga began with Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Ruark Duggar, who married in 1984. They are Independent Baptists and devout followers of the IBLP, a non-denominational Christian organization founded by Bill Gothard. Their lives, and the lives of their 19 children, were documented across two major reality TV series: 19 Kids and Counting (2008–2015) and its spin-off, Counting On (2015–2021).

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• Parents: Jim Bob Duggar (born 1965) and Michelle Duggar (born 1966).
• Home Base: Tontitown, Arkansas.
• Key Beliefs: Quiverfull movement, modesty, debt-free living, homeschooling, and a strict hierarchy of male leadership.
• The 19 Children (Oldest to Youngest):
  • Joshua (Josh) Duggar (b. 1988)
  • Jana Duggar (b. 1990)
  • John-David Duggar (b. 1990) - Twin to Jana
  • Jill Duggar Dillard (b. 1991)
  • Jessa Duggar Seewald (b. 1992)
  • Jinger Duggar Vuolo (b. 1993)
  • Joseph Duggar (b. 1995)
  • Josiah Duggar (b. 1996)
  • Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth (b. 1997)
  • Jedidiah Duggar (b. 1998) - Twin to Jeremiah
  • Jeremiah Duggar (b. 1998) - Twin to Jedidiah
  • Jason Duggar (b. 2000)
  • James Duggar (b. 2001)
  • Justin Duggar (b. 2002)
  • Jackson Duggar (b. 2004)
  • Johannah Duggar (b. 2005)
  • Jennifer Duggar (b. 2007)
  • Jordyn-Grace Duggar (b. 2008)
  • Josie Brooklyn Duggar (b. 2009)

1. Josh Duggar's Ongoing Legal Battles and Prison Status in 2025

The most significant and darkest chapter for the family continues to be the incarceration of the eldest son, Josh Duggar. Convicted in December 2021 and sentenced in May 2022 to over 12 years in federal prison for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), his legal fight is far from over.

Major 2025 Update: In a surprising move on July 29, 2025, Josh Duggar filed a motion in federal court requesting that his conviction be overturned. This 54-page motion, a direct attempt to vacate his conviction, was followed by a request for a court-appointed attorney, claiming he could no longer afford to hire one himself. This ongoing legal challenge keeps the family's most severe scandal in the public eye, even as his scheduled release date remains in 2032.

The family's public response to these filings has been minimal, focusing instead on personal updates and milestones, a clear effort to distance the broader family brand from the criminal proceedings.

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2. The 'Rebuilding Phase': Jill Duggar Dillard's Public Separation

One of the most vocal members to break away from the family's strict control is Jill Duggar Dillard. Along with her husband, Derick Dillard, Jill has spoken openly about the emotional and financial control exerted by Jim Bob Duggar during their time on the reality shows. Their memoir, Counting the Cost, detailed their difficult exit from the family's orbit and the challenges they faced.

As of October 2025, Jill stated she is in a "rebuilding phase" with her immediate family, acknowledging the need for time and space to heal. She and Derick are raising their children, Israel, Samuel, and Frederick, in a manner that contrasts sharply with her upbringing, including enrolling them in traditional public school and embracing modern attire and activities.

This "rebuilding" process is a key indicator of the "Great Duggar Divide," highlighting a growing trend among the adult children to establish independent lives free from the IBLP's influence and the family's strict rules.

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3. The 2025 Duggar Baby Boom and Expanding Grandchildren Count

Despite the scandals and divisions, the Duggar family's core tradition of rapid family expansion continues unabated. The number of Duggar grandchildren is rapidly approaching 40, solidifying Jim Bob and Michelle's legacy as prolific grandparents. Several family members are either expecting or predicted to announce pregnancies in late 2025, fueling the 'Baby Boom' narrative.

• Joseph and Kendra Duggar: They are reportedly expecting their fifth child, following their pattern of having children close together.
• Jedidiah and Katey Duggar: Predictions suggest they may welcome twins, which would add to the family's already high count of multiples.
• Josiah and Lauren Duggar: They are also expected to announce their fourth child, continuing their quiet expansion away from the main spotlight.
• John-David and Abbie Duggar: Reports from late 2024/early 2025 indicated they were expecting, further increasing the family's size.

This continuous expansion provides a contrast to the children who have chosen to limit their family size, such as Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Jeremy Vuolo, who have two daughters and have been focusing on their ministry and podcast in California.

4. Jana Duggar's Life and Rumored Engagement

Jana Duggar, the eldest daughter, has long been referred to as the "Cinderella Duggar" for her role in helping to raise her younger siblings while remaining single. However, her status has been a source of intense speculation.

Recent Developments: Jana's quiet life was punctuated by a rare family reunion in 2024, where she shared photos of the large gathering, including her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle. More significantly, there are persistent reports of her relationship with Stephen Wissmann, with some sources predicting they are expecting their first baby, which would be a major milestone for the famously single Duggar daughter.

A marriage and first baby for Jana would mark a significant shift, as she has traditionally been the one to stay at home, adhering to the family's strict gender roles.

5. The Quiet Exodus: Jinger Vuolo and the California Life

Jinger Duggar Vuolo and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, have arguably made the most geographically and ideologically significant break. Living in Los Angeles, California, they have embraced a more mainstream lifestyle, including fashion choices that defy the Duggar modesty standards and a focus on Jeremy's theological studies and their joint podcast.

Their life represents a clear departure from the Arkansas compound, prioritizing their small nuclear family and public ministry over the traditional Duggar family structure. Their continued success in media and their open discussion of their faith outside the IBLP framework make them a central example of the Duggar children forging their own identities.

6. The Younger Generation's New Paths: College and Independence

The younger generation of Duggars is showing signs of greater independence, a stark contrast to the older siblings who were expected to remain at home until marriage. One of the younger Duggar sons, who is 21 years old in 2025, is reportedly attending Bible college away from home near Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo.

This is a major deviation, as he is only the second Duggar to leave the Tontitown home to attend school, showcasing a subtle but profound shift in the family's educational and transitional norms. This willingness to pursue education and live independently before marriage highlights a loosening of the strict control Jim Bob and Michelle once held over their adult children's lives.

7. Jim Bob and Michelle's Position in 2025

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the original stars of 19 Kids and Counting, have retreated from the public spotlight following the cancellation of Counting On and the conviction of their eldest son. Their public appearances are now mostly limited to family gatherings, such as the 2024 reunion.

While they continue to support their children who adhere to the IBLP and Quiverfull teachings, their influence over the entire clan has demonstrably waned. The public and media attention has shifted from their parenting style to the consequences of their strict upbringing, as detailed in books and interviews by their own children. Their current role is primarily as grandparents to a massive, and increasingly decentralized, family.