The wife of “19 Kids and Counting” star Josh Duggar was seen still wearing her wedding ring while her husband remains incarcerated.
Anna Duggar has been seen in public for the first time in two years, sparking fan speculation about a possible pregnancy. Other fans noted that she appeared to be breaking her family’s traditional dress code.
A fan reacts to seeing Anna Duggar after she kept away from the limelight for two years, from a post dated December 17, 2024 | Source: Instagram/tmz_tv
The 35-year-old was in Fayetteville, Arkansas when she was on her way to cheer on one of her sons at his school basketball game. Anna sported a relaxed look in a black shirt, gray jacket, and light blue jeans. The jeans are a notable departure from the skirts and dresses traditionally worn by Duggar women due to their religious beliefs.
The mom of seven was still wearing her wedding ring despite her husband currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography. Anna seemed cheerful during her outing, laughing with a friend as they made their way to and from her car.
Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar pose during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, on February 28, 2015 | Source: Getty Images
However, her appearance shocked fans, who couldn’t help but wonder, “Is she very pregnant or did she just have a baby?” Another fan exclaimed, “She looks pregnant again.” “She definitely looks preggers again 🫣. How does she cope with so many kids and so little resources/support ?!! 😟” asked someone concerned about her situation.
Another person simply inquired, “Is she expecting?” with one person enthusiastically adding, “Omg…she’s pregnant!” “She’s pregnant? How?” one fan questioned in disbelief, with another sharing similar sentiments “But how is she pregnant?”
Others focused on her general appearance, noting, “Unrecognizable.” Another fan even declared, “That looks nothing like her 😳.” One commenter speculated, “Poor girl ate her feelings,” while another observed, “She looks a little stressed.” One more user wrote, “Wow she’s gained so much weight.”
Some people shared positive thoughts, with one praising, “Wow she looks great.” “She looks happy finally,” someone pointed out, while another wondered, “Why are people sad reacting ???? she looks happy.”
Many were surprised by her choice of attire, especially considering her past adherence to strict religious dress codes. A shocked fan noted, “She is wearing pants also!” Another person exclaimed, “I can’t believe she’s wearing jeans.” More people shared their shock, “She’s wearing JEANS/PANTS!!”
Since her husband’s sentencing in May 2022, Anna has largely stayed out of the public eye. The couple, who got married in 2008, are parents to Mackynzie, 15, Michael, 13, Marcus, 11, Meredith, nine, Mason, seven, Maryella, five, and Madyson, three.
The family’s website gives fans a glimpse into Anna, Josh, and their kids’ lives. It reads, “They love spending time together, whether It’s an evening at home playing board games, or venturing out to a local park with a van load of bikes, scooters, roller blades and anything else with wheels!”
Before Josh’s imprisonment, the family cherished their time together, often embarking on RV trips. A standout memory was their 2019 vacation to the West Coast, where the children experienced the Grand Canyon for the first time. Florida, however, remained a favorite destination, as it allowed them to visit Anna’s family.
Josh’s family gained widespread recognition through the reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” which documented their lives. Josh, the eldest of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar’s nineteen children, was a central figure on the show. It highlighted the family’s homeschooling approach and their unique way of living. The show aired from 2008 to 2015.
Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar from “19 Kids and Counting” pose at the hit musical “Godspell” in New York City, on February 16, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
The beginnings of “19 Kids and Counting” can be traced back to 2002 when a photo of the Duggar family entering a polling place during Jim Bob’s campaign for US Senate was featured in the New York Times.
Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar from “19 Kids and Counting” pose with the cast backstage at the hit musical “Godspell” in New York City, on February 16, 2012 | Source: Getty Images
This led to a story in Parents Magazine, which caught the attention of the Discovery Health Channel. They reached out to the family, proposing a documentary about the challenges of raising 14 children.
The Duggars saw this as a chance to share their belief that children are a gift from God. Around the same time, they were also in the process of building a new home due to outgrowing their old one. Committed to living debt-free, they decided to take on the project themselves, with help from friends and professionals.
During this period, the television crew began documenting their everyday activities. Hence, what began as a one-time documentary ultimately led to the creation of a long-running reality TV series.
