Since the premiere of Sister Wives in 2010, the unconventional family of Kody Brown and his then-four wives—Janelle, Meri, Christine, and Robyn—captivated audiences worldwide with their unique polygamous lifestyle. While reality TV often brings fame and fortune, it also opens doors for other lucrative opportunities beyond the initial network TV appearance fee.
How much do the sister wives make from the show?
According to In Touch Weekly, producing an episode of Sister Wives costs TLC between $250,000 and $400,000. The Brown family collectively earns around $25,000 to $40,000 per episode, which, when divided among Kody and his four wives, translates to approximately $5,000-$8,000 each. Over a typical 15-episode season, this would amount to $75,000-$120,000 per person. However, the actual amount might be lower due to a pay cut taken in recent seasons, possibly exacerbated by the lower ratings and the fact that three wives—Janelle, Christine, and Meri—have since separated from Kody and now live separately.
What are the (now-ex) sister wives doing to earn a living?
- Christine Brown: After her split from Kody in 2021, Christine started CBrown Quest, LLC in 2020, a legal business she runs. She also sells clothes through LuLaRoe, a multi-level marketing company, and generates income through Cameo, where she records personalized video messages. By July 2024, Christine had nearly 1,300 reviews on Cameo, with each video costing $50, potentially earning her around $65,000 from this platform alone.
- Janelle Brown: On the show, Janelle was seen working as a real estate agent, though it’s unclear if she renewed her license after moving from Nevada to Arizona. She now operates a health-based business called Strive with Janelle, where she works as a health and life coach. Her business focuses on helping clients achieve personal growth and improve their lives.
- Meri Brown: Following her separation, Meri’s primary source of income is Lizzie’s Heritage Inn, a bed-and-breakfast she purchased in Parowan, Utah, in 2023. This B&B, named after her grandmother Lizzie, features a special “Grandma Room” dedicated to her grandmother’s childhood bedroom. The inn has received a perfect 5.0-star rating on TripAdvisor. Meri also continues to sell LuLaRoe clothing and earns additional income through Cameo, where she charges $150 per video.
Each of the ex-wives has found ways to sustain themselves financially, leveraging their individual skills and interests beyond their reality TV fame.
