
In 2006, the world was introduced to a family of devout Christians living in Tontitown, Arkansas.
Back then, Jim Bob and Michelle and the 16-child Duggar family was enough to turn a one-hour TV special into a reality series about the family, then titled16 Kids and Counting.
We were fascinated as these Baptists managed to handle raising and caring for more than a dozen children before adding to their brood, resulting in the show being renamed three times.
It’s been seven years since TLC officially cancelled the once-popular 19 Kids and Counting and a year sinceCounting On– its spin-off show –was also axed. Here's what the Duggars are doing now.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
The couple that started it all have stopped having natural-born children, but that doesn’t mean their brood has stopped growing.
In addition to the 23 (and counting) grandchildren they now have, the couple became permanent guardians to their grandnephew, 14-year-old Tyler, after his mother was unable to care for him.
Jim Bob and Michelle are still caring for seven other kids at home and regularly posting photos and Bible verses on their Duggar Family Facebook page and updating the family website.
Josh Duggar
The eldest Duggar boy's reputation has taken a hit in recent years. In 2015, allegations surfaced that he molested at least five girls as a 14- and 15-year-old – including his own sisters.
Speaking to his parents, Josh had reportedly confessed to inappropriately touching his sisters and friends while they were sleeping.
Later in 2015, Josh, who had been married to his wife Anna since 2008, was exposed in the Ashley Madison hacking scandal as having cheated on his wife.
However, the pair remained married and have six children: Mackynzie, 13, Michael, 11, Marcus, nine, Meredith, seven, Mason, five, and Maryella, who turns four in November.
On April 23, 2021, Anna announced that the couple were expecting their seventh child, a daughter.
Five days later, on April 30, Josh was arrested for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.
According to a news release from federal prosecutors, obtained by People, Josh "allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material. [He] allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019."
His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, made a statement soon after Josh's arrest.
"We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time. The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious," their joint statement read.
"It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family."
On December 9, 2021, Duggar was found guilty, just three weeks after the birth of his seventh child, Madyson.
In May 2022, the 34-year-old was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay fines and special assessments of $50,100 USD.
After his release from prison, Duggar will require the supervision of a parole officer for 20 years and is prohibited from any unsupervised contact with minors, including his own children with his wife Anna.
Duggar must also participate in sex offender treatment and may not access or view pornography of any kind, including adult pornography.
He also cannot own any electronic devices with internet access unless approved by his probation officer.
Duggar's father, Jim Bob, his wife, Anna, and his siblings, Joy-Anna and Jason Duggar, were present in court to support him.
Recent reports state that since his imprisonment, Anna and her seven children visit Josh in his Texas prison "regularly".
Jana Marie Duggar
Jana was dubbed Cinderella Duggar for her house-cleaning and child-caring role in the family, as she was the eldest and unwed at 29.
In 2018, it was rumoured photographer Caleb Williams was courting Jana, but there was no "courtship announcement".
Despite this, he did share a photo on social media in October 2017 holding Josh and Anna’s son Mason – so he has certainly met the family.
However, in 2019, sister Jessa confirmed she wasn’t in a relationship, responding to a comment which surmised Jana’s foray into social media hinted at a possible courtship announcement.
"That’s been merely coincidence for some," wrote Jessa. "Definitely not a prerequisite. She’s not in a relationship."
"But if anyone is interested, please send all applications to me," she continued.
"I will check them out thoroughly."
As for her career, Jana Marie remodels houses.
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