Where Are Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Now? All About the Former Reality Stars’ Lives 40 Years Into Their Marriage

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar initially rose to fame as the stars of the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting.

The show, which first premiered in 2008, provided a glimpse into the lives of the Duggar family, who are known for their devotion to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and their exceptionally large family. Jim Bob and Michelle, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 21, 1984, share 19 children, all of whom have names starting with the letter “J.”

The Duggars’ journey began with their marriage in 1984 and the subsequent birth of their first child, Joshua Duggar, in 1988. Over the next several decades, they expanded their family with 18 more children. Jim Bob and Michelle’s youngest child, Josie Duggar, was born in 2009. The family’s show highlighted their daily lives and brought their controversial beliefs and practices to light. A spinoff, Counting On, ran from 2015 to 2020.

The 2023 Prime documentary Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets dove deeper into the family’s story, exploring both their rise to fame and the darker aspects of their lives that were not always visible on television. A significant portion of the documentary addressed Josh’s 2015 child molestation allegations, which led to the show’s cancellation, and his 2022 sentencing for receiving and possessing child pornography.

Almost 10 years after the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting, and 40 years into their marriage, here’s everything to know about Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s lives now.

Where are Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar living now?

The Duggars continue to live in Tontitown, Ark. where they have been residing for many years, and where 19 Kids and Counting was set. The couple live in a large compound which features multiple homes.

The Duggars noted in a 2020 episode of Counting On that while their children are allowed to leave the compound at age 18, many choose to stick around for various reasons.

In a home tour given by Michelle in 2011, she talked about how the property expanded over the years, saying, “The house grew, from two of them to three of them! It worked out perfectly.”

What are Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar doing for work?

Jim Bob and Michelle have kept busy with various ventures following the end of 19 Kids and Counting. Jim Bob, a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, made a political comeback attempt in 2021 when he announced his candidacy for the Arkansas State Senate. However, his campaign was unsuccessful.

The father of 19 posted a statement on his Facebook shortly after losing, writing, “Whoever wins the Republican primary will have my support and prayer for victory as he faces a Democrat opponent on February 8.”

Alongside his political activities, Jim Bob has remained involved in the real estate industry — both he and Michelle hold real estate agent licenses. The Duggars have been known for their house flipping endeavors, purchasing, renovating and selling properties for profit. In February 2020, the pair sold a home in Springdale, Ark. for $1.38 million after purchasing it for just $230,000 in 2014.

Beyond real estate, the duo have written books and given a myriad of public speeches over the years, sharing their experiences and insights on family life, faith and personal growth. Jim Bob and Michelle are also still very involved with the IBLP.

Do Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have relationships with their children?

While Jim Bob and Michelle maintain relationships with many of their children, there are a few notable exceptions. Their relationship with their daughter Jill and her husband, Derick Dillard, remains strained. Jill and Derick have been vocal about their estrangement, citing control issues and financial disputes as major factors.

Jill has shared in interviews and her books that she had to seek therapy to deal with the emotional toll of her family’s dynamics. In 2023, Jill told Vanity Fair, “There’s limited contact with my dad. We’ve had to draw some pretty strict boundaries just for our own health and well-being.” Despite these tensions, Jim Bob and Michelle did attend the memorial service for Jill’s stillborn daughter, Isla Marie, in April 2024, as seen in photos from the event.

A few of Jim Bob and Michelle’s children have moved on from their traditional upbringings as well.

In her 2022 memoir, The Hope We Hold, daughter Jinger Duggar reflected on her journey away from some of the teachings of the IBLP. She expressed concern about how her parents might perceive her choices, particularly her decision to start wearing pants, which was against the modesty guidelines she was raised with.

Jinger shared in the book, “I felt emotional as I worried that my parents would think I didn’t appreciate how I was raised.” She also told PEOPLE in January 2023 that “Fear was a huge part of [her] childhood.”

While not a child of theirs, Jim Bob’s niece, Amy Duggar King, who was known as Cousin Amy on 19 Kids and Counting, has no contact with her uncle and aunt. While Amy had often been seen as the “rebel” of the family due to her more liberal lifestyle and views, she has maintained a connection with her cousins, though it is occasionally strained. Amy has openly criticized some of the Duggar family’s beliefs and practices, specifically in the Shiny Happy People documentary.

How many grandchildren do Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have?

It’s no secret that the Duggars have a large and ever-expanding family, now including at least 32 grandchildren.

Their eldest son, Josh, has seven children with his wife, Anna: Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, Mason, Maryella and Madyson. Jill has three sons with her husband, Derrick, named Israel, Samuel and Frederick, while Jessa Duggar has five children with her husband, Ben Seewald, named Spurgeon, Henry, Ivy, Fern and George.

Jinger, now living in California, has two daughters with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo: Felicity and Evangeline. Joy-Anna Duggar has welcomed three children with her husband, Austin Forsyth, named Gideon, Evelyn and Gunner, while Joseph Duggar, along with his wife Kendra Duggar, have at least three children named Garrett, Addison and Brooklyn.

Additionally, Josiah Duggar has three kids, named Bella, Daisy and Ezra, with his wife, Lauren Duggar, while John-David Duggar and his wife, Abbie Duggar, have two children named Grace and Charlie. Jedidah Duggar shares two children, Truett and Nora, with his wife Katey Nakatsu, who is also expecting twin girls. Jed’s twin Jeremiah also has two children, Brynley and Brielle, with his wife Hannah.