“Put a lot into this marriage:” Sister Wives star Meri shares details of the family’s finances

Sister Wives cast members Meri and Kody Brown got married back in 1990 and later went their separate days after more than three decades of marriage. Then, Kody married Janelle Brown in 1993, and a year later married Christine Brown. Meanwhile, Robyn Brown became part of the polygamous relationship in 2014.

In 2023, Kody and Meri released a statement that they had spiritually ended their connection and were no longer together. The couple faced multiple marital issues in their relationship and were unable to resolve their problems. Reflecting on her marriage with Kody and recalling the Brown family dynamics, the Sister Wives cast member opened up about the family finances during the January 19, 2025 episode.

In season 19, episode 19, titled Behold I Come Like a Thief, Meri shared that she contributed financially for her kids and the family fund did not cover those expenses. She said that she had put a lot into "this marriage," she continued:

"I put a lot into this marriage emotionally, financially, personally. I didn't get anything out of it as far as like alimony or whatever. And I'm not looking for that."

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Sister Wives star Meri discusses finances during her marriage with Kody Brown

According to Meri, she had contributed to the Brown family finances but didn't get much in return. At that time, Kody was married to Janelle Brown, Christine Brown, and Robyn Brown as well and they all had a polygamous family arrangement. During her conversation with Jenn Sullivan, Meri shared that the financial contributions went to the kid's college fees, property, and other expenses.

However, she was unsure if the family fund that wasn't used for her child was spent on Kody's other seventeen kids. Breaking down details of where the finances went, Meri revealed it went to her son Leon Brown's college alongside his car payments. The Sister Wives cast member said:

"Those family funds that I helped with went to kids’ college, went to property. It went to everything. I really don't know how much of the family fund actually paid for other kids’ school or cars, but I know that my kiddo’s school was not taken care of from the family fund."

After Meri mentioned that the family fund did not cover her "kiddo's school," Kody responded to this statement. He told the cameras that Sister Wives star Meri was "complaining" despite getting her "wet bar." The Brown family patriarch expressed frustration regarding this matter. He continued:

"We had 18 kids to take care of, I don't even want to discuss it. Meri can do all the complaining about whatever happened that she wants. She still got her wet bar."

Meri shared her point of view on this situation, elaborating that she mostly financed her lifestyle and wanted Kody to "take care of things." She said:

""I wanted to have a man that would take care of things and take care of me as well. I wanted a wet bar. What's wrong with me having a wet bar in my house? I'm the one who made the payments on that house anyway."

New episodes of Sister Wives premiere weekly on Sundays at 10 PM ET, airing exclusively on TLC. Fans can follow Meri on her official Instagram account to get updates about her personal and professional life.