‘Sister Wives:’ Kody Says Marriage With Meri In A ‘Very Dark Place’ But He Can’t Leave

Sister Wives fans know that there are huge problems in Kody Brown’s marriage to Meri Brown. In a recent interview, Kody, 52, opens up about their relationship. In fact, he says that he and Meri had been in a “very dark place” for a long time. However, he went on to explain why he had no plans on separating from his wife.

Kody Brown and Meri Brown in a ‘very dark place’

Kody and Meri Brown have been married for more than 30 years and share a daughter, Mariah, 25. In an interview with Us Weekly on February 26, Kody opens up on his rocky marriage to Meri.

In the interview, Kody says, “Meri and I have been in a very dark place for a very long time.” Brown says it has been more about trying to get themselves “out of this hole that we dug ourselves into.”

The TLC reality star has four wives, as he practices polygamy, and said that he hopes time will heal their problems. Kody explained that he hopes some communication between them will heal things. However, he admitted it has been a long time and has been very difficult for him and Meri.

Divorce not something in the polygamist world

Brown explained that divorce isn’t something that happens often in the world of polygamy. He said, “In plural marriage, I don’t feel like I’ve got the right to say, ‘This is over, this is ending.’” Kody said he has dominion over his own body and where he is at. However, he said he is not in a place where he can say he is divorcing a wife. The reality star said he can’t just do that.

While he feels he can’t end a relationship, Kody did say any of his wives can end their relationship with him at any point. He feels they need to understand this – that they can leave. “If it’s not working for them, they can leave. Nobody’s going to be a prisoner here.”

Sister Wives: Double standards in polygamist marriages

Continuing the interview, Kody said that a plural marriage relationship is, in some senses, a “double standard.” He admits that when it comes to ending a marriage, it is one-sided. Kody explains that they can tolerate other double standards they have in the family. However, one double standard is that he doesn’t get to leave the marriage, but his wives can.

Kody and Meri revealed during an April 2020 episode of Sister Wives that they were going to therapy for their problems. However, on Friday, they hinted that the marriage issues have not subsided.

Meri Brown says the marriage is ‘over’ on Sister Wives

Brown revealed in a teaser clip for the February 28 episode that his relationship with Meri is, at best, “just distant and amicable.” In the teaser, there is a flashback of two months to one of Kody and Meri’s therapy sessions. During the session, Meri, 50, says their relationship is gone, adding, “it’s gone. It’s dead. It’s over.”

Meri believes she has made it clear to Kody where she wants their relationship to go. She adds that it isn’t moving forward. However, she believes it is best to “leave the ball in his court.”

Catch the full interview on the Us Weekly website. Fans can watch Meri and Kody on Sister Wives on TLC, Sundays at 10 pm ET.