What changed in Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s lives after they left reality TV?

From TV star to quiet life

Ten years after “19 Kids and Counting” ended, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have settled into a much quieter existence.

The couple who once dominated TLC with their huge family of 19 kids (all with J-names) now maintain a low profile following the cancellation of their spinoff show “Counting On” in 2021.

Their journey began with a wedding on July 21, 1984, and grew into one of America’s most famous families.

But where are they now, after four decades of marriage and years of dimming lights?

The Arkansas Compound

The Duggar family still calls Arkansas home, living in their huge compound that houses multiple residences.

Michelle once proudly showed off how they “grew the house, from two to three!” Though their adult children can leave at age 18, many have opted to stay nearby.

Real estate and politics

Jim Bob stays busy with a variety of ventures. In 2021, he attempted an unsuccessful political comeback for the Arkansas State Senate.

After losing, he generously posted on Facebook that “Whoever wins the Republican primary will have my support and prayers.”

Their main business remains real estate. Jim Bob and Michelle both hold real estate agent licenses and make impressive profits by flipping houses.

In 2020, they sold a Springdale property for $1.38 million that they purchased six years earlier for just $230,000.

His daughter Jinger recently told PEOPLE that her father “really taught us a hard work ethic” by handling multiple jobs — “the car business, the towing business…real estate.”

Complicated family relationships

While the couple maintains a relationship with most of their children, some relationships have become strained.

Daughter Jill and her husband Derick Dillard have spoken openly about their separation, citing control issues and financial disputes.

“I have limited contact with my father. We’ve had to set some very strict boundaries for my health and well-being,” Jill told Vanity Fair in 2023.

Despite the tension, Jim Bob and Michelle attended Jill’s stillborn daughter’s memorial service in April 2024, and the family celebrated Christmas together in 2024 — though Derick clarified that doesn’t mean “everything is absolutely fine.”

Moving beyond IBLP teachings

Some of the Duggar kids have moved away from their traditional upbringing.

Daughter Jinger expressed concern in her autobiography that her parents would be upset if she wore pants, which violated the modesty guidelines they were taught.

Meanwhile, Jim Bob’s niece Amy Duggar King (known as “Cousin Amy” on the show) has completely cut off contact with her uncle and aunt, even criticizing the family’s beliefs in the “Shiny Happy People” documentary.

Growing Dynasty

The Duggar family tree continues to grow, now with at least 32 grandchildren.

From Josh’s seven children to Jinger’s three kids in California, the next generation of Duggars is well established across the country.

Amidst all the changes and controversies, Jim Bob and Michelle remain devoted to their faith and family values, even if some of their children are forging their own paths.