The Duggar Family In 2025: 7 Shocking Updates On The '18 And Counting' Stars' New Lives, Scandals, And Pregnancies

The Duggar family, originally known to the world through the reality television series 18 Kids and Counting (which later became 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On), continues to generate headlines, even years after their shows were canceled. As of today, December 18, 2025, the narrative has dramatically shifted from wholesome family life to one dominated by individual memoirs, legal battles, and the quiet separation of many adult children from the Arkansas compound.

The devout fundamentalist Christian family, led by patriarch Jim Bob Duggar and matriarch Michelle Duggar, has seen its adult children forge paths that range from following the family's conservative traditions to openly challenging the secretive culture of their upbringing. Below is a deep dive into the most current and essential updates, scandals, and biographical details surrounding one of reality TV's most talked-about families.

The Complete Duggar Family Biography: Jim Bob, Michelle, and All 19 Children

The Duggar family's fame stems from their adherence to the Quiverfull movement and their large size. Parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar raised 19 children, all with names beginning with the letter 'J'. The family tree now includes numerous in-laws and over two dozen grandchildren, with new additions arriving yearly.

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• Jim Bob Duggar: (Born July 18, 1965). Patriarch. Former state representative and real estate investor.
• Michelle Duggar (née Ruark): (Born September 13, 1966). Matriarch. Known for her soft-spoken demeanor and adherence to the family's strict religious beliefs.

The 19 Children (In Birth Order)

1. Joshua James "Josh" Duggar: (Born 1988). Married to Anna Keller, with seven children. Currently serving a federal prison sentence.
2. Jana Marie Duggar: (Born 1990). Twin to John-David. Recently married to Stephen Wissmann.
3. John-David Duggar: (Born 1990). Twin to Jana. Married to Abbie Burnett, with two children. A licensed pilot.
4. Jill Michelle Duggar: (Born 1991). Married to Derick Dillard, with three children. Author of the tell-all memoir, Counting the Cost.
5. Jessa Lauren Duggar: (Born 1992). Married to Ben Seewald, with five children. Active on social media and YouTube.
6. Jinger Nicole Duggar: (Born 1993). Married to Jeremy Vuolo, with two children. Lives in Los Angeles, California. Author of People Pleaser.
7. Joseph Garrett Duggar: (Born 1995). Married to Kendra Caldwell, with four children.
8. Josiah David Duggar: (Born 1996). Married to Lauren Swanson, with two children.
9. Joy-Anna Duggar: (Born 1997). Married to Austin Forsyth, with three children.
10. Jedidiah Robert Duggar: (Born 1998). Twin to Jeremiah. Married to Katey Nakatsu, with three children (including 2025 twins).
11. Jeremiah Robert Duggar: (Born 1998). Twin to Jedidiah. Married to Hannah Wissmann, with one child.
12. Jason Michael Duggar: (Born 2000).
13. James Andrew Duggar: (Born 2001).
14. Justin Samuel Duggar: (Born 2002). Married to Claire Spivey.
15. Jackson Levi Duggar: (Born 2004).
16. Johannah Faith Duggar: (Born 2005).
17. Jennifer Danielle Duggar: (Born 2007).
18. Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar: (Born 2008).
19. Josie Brooklyn Duggar: (Born 2009).

The Biggest 2025 Duggar Family Updates: Marriages, Babies, and New Books

The year 2025 has brought significant milestones and shifts for the Duggar adult children, particularly those who have stepped away from the family's immediate sphere of influence in Tontitown, Arkansas. The sheer number of new grandchildren and the geographic moves of key members highlight a new era for the family.

Jana Duggar's Life Transformation

After years of being dubbed the "Cinderella Duggar" for remaining unmarried while her younger siblings tied the knot, Jana Duggar's life has undergone a dramatic change. She married Stephen Wissmann in August 2024. The latest news confirms the couple is expecting their first child, a baby boy, due in January 2026. Furthermore, Jana and Stephen have announced plans to move from Arkansas to Nebraska, where the Wissmann family is based, marking a major physical and emotional separation from the Duggar compound.

More Grandchildren: The Jedidiah & Katey Twins

The Duggar family continues its prolific growth with the arrival of new grandchildren. Jedidiah Duggar and his wife, Katey Nakatsu, welcomed twin girls, Elsie and Emma, in January 2025. This addition brings their total number of children to three and further solidifies the family's expansion into a new generation of "J" names and beyond.

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Jinger Duggar Vuolo's Literary Success

Jinger Duggar, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, continues to forge a path distinct from her Arkansas roots. She released her new book, People Pleaser, in 2025. The book and her accompanying podcast appearances explore her journey away from the restrictive doctrine of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), the organization that heavily influenced her childhood. Her public discussions about faith, freedom, and controversial parenting choices (like not allowing her children to watch certain Disney movies) keep her at the forefront of the family's media presence.

The Lingering Scandals and Legal Status: Josh Duggar and Jill's Memoir

Despite the positive news of new babies and marriages, the Duggar family remains overshadowed by significant legal and ethical controversies, most notably the conviction of the eldest son, Josh Duggar, and the subsequent revelations in a family tell-all book.

Josh Duggar's Extended Prison Sentence

The biggest shadow over the family is the ongoing incarceration of Josh Duggar. In 2022, he was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography and sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison. Recent reports in 2025 indicate that his release date from FCI Seagoville, a low-security federal correctional institution, has been extended. Originally scheduled for release in October 2032, the date has been pushed back by several months due to various factors, including the denial of his requests for a court-appointed attorney and potential shake-ups within the federal prison system.

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The Impact of Jill Duggar's Memoir

Jill Duggar Dillard’s 2023 memoir, Counting the Cost, remains a critical entity in the Duggar family's public narrative. The book, co-written with her husband Derick Dillard, pulled back the curtain on the family's reality television career, revealing what she described as "secrets, manipulation, and intimidation" behind the scenes of 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On. The memoir detailed bombshells, including allegations that her father, Jim Bob, conned her into signing a contract and her struggles to gain financial and personal independence from the family structure. This book cemented Jill and Derick Dillard’s status as the most vocal critics of the Duggar family's rigid system.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar: Where Are They Now?

The parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, have retreated from the public spotlight following the cancellation of Counting On. They are reportedly living a quiet life in Arkansas, focusing on their real estate ventures and remaining a central figure in their religious community. While they continue to host family gatherings, there are subtle signs of division. A notable report from August 2025 indicated that Jim Bob and Michelle were the only Duggar family members to attend a major family conference, suggesting a growing distance between the parents and their adult children, many of whom are now prioritizing their own, less-public lives outside the family's direct influence.

The legacy of 18 and Counting is no longer about the number of children, but about the divergent paths those children have taken. From the strict confines of their Arkansas upbringing to the freedom of moving to Nebraska or Los Angeles, the Duggar children are individually defining what their future—and faith—will look like in the years to come.