Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob Duggar made rare appearances in footage from her birthday party.
Jana Duggar took to YouTube on Wednesday, October 1, to share a video documenting a family gathering in honor of Michelle’s 59th birthday celebration, writing, “We had an incredible time celebrating my mom’s birthday! Our family trip was filled with unforgettable moments and nonstop fun!”
In addition to her husband, Stephen Wissmann, Jana, 35, was joined by her siblings, nieces and nephews as they enjoyed several group outings before gathering at home for Michelle’s big day. The festivities included gifts and a group dinner, which featured a quick glimpse at Jim Bob, 60, next to Michelle, 59, as she blew out the candles on her cake.
Reality TV fans were introduced to the Duggar family in 2008 with the premiere of their TLC series 19 Kids and Counting. Jim Bob and Michelle’s large family and conservative lifestyle fascinated viewers, but a darker side of their religious group was exposed after TLC cut ties with the Duggars following their son Josh Duggar’s 2021 arrest and subsequent conviction on child pornography charges.
It was originally reported in 2015 that Josh, now 37, molested five girls, four of whom were his sisters, when he was a teenager. Josh apologized for his actions at the time, revealing that he’d previously sought counseling for his “wrongdoings” as a teen.
“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” he wrote via the family’s Facebook account in 2015. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Months later, hackers released stolen data from the cheating website Ashley Madison. Josh admitted he was unfaithful to his wife, Anna Duggar, after his account was exposed.
“I brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions that happened when I was 14-15 years old, and now I have re-broken their trust,” Josh wrote via his family’s website in 2015. “The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings. As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all [the] hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example. I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please pray for my precious wife Anna and our family during this time.”
Josh and Anna remained married and expanded their family with seven kids. In 2021, Josh was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty and was later sentenced to 151 months in prison, which he is still currently serving.
Michelle, meanwhile, continued to fight for Josh to be released. In a letter obtained by the Daily Mail in 2022, Michelle requested leniency when it came to Josh’s sentencing.
“[Josh] has friends and family who will love and support him in his abilities to succeed as a husband, father, business owner, and man both now and in the future,” she wrote, noting that she still offers her “continued love and encouragement” to her eldest child. “We ask that he would be reunited with his wife and family in a timely manner.”
In the years since, some family members including Jill Duggar and Amy Duggar have taken a step back from the family. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly before the release of her memoir, Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade by Getting Louder With the Truth, Amy, 38, revealed “it’s been a very long time” since she’s spoken to Jim Bob and Michelle.