01of 09First MeetingJosh and Anna Duggar.Anna Duggar/InstagramJosh, 33, who is the eldest of the Duggar family’s 19 children, met 32-year-oldAnna, who is one of eight children, at a Christian homeschooling convention back in 2006 when she was a teen. Not long after, and to the delight of the Duggars and Anna’s ownultra-conservative parents, Mike and Suzette Keller, the two begancourting.Two years later, they married on Sept. 26, 2008, at Buford Grove Baptist Church in Hillard, Florida, near the bride’s hometown of Gainesville, where they shared their first kiss and promised as part of their wedding vows — the wedding was featured on season 2 of19 Kids and Countingin 2009 — to leave the decision on how many children the couple will have “up to God.“Just three months after saying “I do” to Anna, Josh — who ran his own car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas — told PEOPLE, “Married life has been great. It’s definitely quieter than being in a house with so many kids. When I go to the grocery store, it feels strange only having one shopping cart.““I would welcome a big family,” Josh said. “My parents have been wonderful examples.” Added Anna: “I would love to have as many children as God would bless us with. Growing up in a large family, and Joshua in a mega-family, you learn so much more. I think a large family helps you prepare for life.”
01of 09
First Meeting
Josh and Anna Duggar.Anna Duggar/Instagram
Josh, 33, who is the eldest of the Duggar family’s 19 children, met 32-year-oldAnna, who is one of eight children, at a Christian homeschooling convention back in 2006 when she was a teen. Not long after, and to the delight of the Duggars and Anna’s ownultra-conservative parents, Mike and Suzette Keller, the two begancourting.
Two years later, they married on Sept. 26, 2008, at Buford Grove Baptist Church in Hillard, Florida, near the bride’s hometown of Gainesville, where they shared their first kiss and promised as part of their wedding vows — the wedding was featured on season 2 of19 Kids and Countingin 2009 — to leave the decision on how many children the couple will have “up to God.”
Just three months after saying “I do” to Anna, Josh — who ran his own car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas — told PEOPLE, “Married life has been great. It’s definitely quieter than being in a house with so many kids. When I go to the grocery store, it feels strange only having one shopping cart.”
“I would welcome a big family,” Josh said. “My parents have been wonderful examples.” Added Anna: “I would love to have as many children as God would bless us with. Growing up in a large family, and Joshua in a mega-family, you learn so much more. I think a large family helps you prepare for life.”
02of 09A Growing FamilyJim Bob and Michelle with daughter-in-law Anna and son Josh Duggar.Scott Enlow/TLCJust over a year after Josh and Anna tied the knot they welcomed their first child, daughter Mackynzie. They are now parents to six —Maryella Hope, 5 months,Mason Garrett, 3½,Meredith Grace, 5½,Marcus Anthony, 7½,Michael James, 9½, andMackynzie Renée, 11 — with one more on the way.
02of 09
A Growing Family
Jim Bob and Michelle with daughter-in-law Anna and son Josh Duggar.Scott Enlow/TLC
Just over a year after Josh and Anna tied the knot they welcomed their first child, daughter Mackynzie. They are now parents to six —Maryella Hope, 5 months,Mason Garrett, 3½,Meredith Grace, 5½,Marcus Anthony, 7½,Michael James, 9½, andMackynzie Renée, 11 — with one more on the way.
03of 09
From left: Anna and Josh Duggar.Anna Duggar/instagram
One month after the birth of their fourth child, daughter Meredith Grace, scandal rocked Josh and Anna’s marriage.
In mid-May 2015, Josh apologized for his “wrongdoing” after a 2006 police report revealed that he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls. His sisters Jill, 25, and Jessa, 24, subsequentlystepped forward as two of the victims.
Months later, in August 2015,Gawkerreported that the oldest Duggar son appeared to have had active accounts onAshley Madison, a website created to facilitate cheating on your spouse.
Josh ultimately confessed to having a pornography addiction and cheating on his wife in anapologetic statementon the Duggar family website.
“I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife. I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him,” the statement read.
Just under a week after making his confession, Josh sought treatment at a faith-based rehabilitation center in Rockford, Illinois. Six months later he returned to Arkansas, where he continued to receive “professional counseling and focus on rebuilding relationships with his family.”
After returning to his family’s home state of Arkansas, Josh and Anna revealed that they had entered marriage counseling following theirdifficult year.
04of 09
Moving Forward
The Duggar Family/Facebook
Although Josh and Anna kept a low profile in the months following the scandal that surrounded their family, he slowly began returning to the public eye in fall of 2016.
“For nearly the last two years, we have quietly worked to save our marriage, focus on our children, and rebuild our lives together as a family. Doing so is never easy after a breach of trust,” the blog post began.
“We’ve learned that a life of faith and rebuilding a life together is simply done one day at a time,” the post continued.
05of 09Milestone MomentKris Connor/GettyIn July of 2018, Anna shared a series of family photos to Instagram and reflected on the past decade of life and the “wonderful adventure” that it has been with Josh.“June was an exciting month for our family: Marcus, Michael and I are are officially a year older + Josh and I celebrated our 10 year engagement anniversary!” she wrote in the caption.“The past 10 years have been a wonderful adventure,” she continued. “So thankful for God’s redeeming grace and His blessings to us along the way, especially our 5 M’s!”
05of 09
Milestone Moment
Kris Connor/Getty
In July of 2018, Anna shared a series of family photos to Instagram and reflected on the past decade of life and the “wonderful adventure” that it has been with Josh.
“June was an exciting month for our family: Marcus, Michael and I are are officially a year older + Josh and I celebrated our 10 year engagement anniversary!” she wrote in the caption.
“The past 10 years have been a wonderful adventure,” she continued. “So thankful for God’s redeeming grace and His blessings to us along the way, especially our 5 M’s!”
06of 09
Growing On
Josh and Anna Duggar with their children.Anna Duggar/instagram
“This is the 6th gender reveal for our little family and it always so exciting!” she began. “Each child God has given us is unique and special — we all look forward to the arrival of our daughter / sister this fall!”
07of 09Through the YearsAnna Duggar/instagramIn October of 2020, Anna celebrated the couple’s 12th wedding anniversaryon Instagram.“12 years ago today we said, ‘I do!’ I’m so thankful for God’s grace and kindness that has continually surrounded our family!” Anna wrote in the caption, sharing a family photo. “Joshua, I’m looking forward to growing old with you! ♥️”
07of 09
Through the Years
Anna Duggar/instagram
In October of 2020, Anna celebrated the couple’s 12th wedding anniversaryon Instagram.
“12 years ago today we said, ‘I do!’ I’m so thankful for God’s grace and kindness that has continually surrounded our family!” Anna wrote in the caption, sharing a family photo. “Joshua, I’m looking forward to growing old with you! ♥️”
08of 09
More to Come
Josh and Anna Duggar with their six eldest children.Anna Duggar/instagram
09of 09
Josh Is Arrested
Josh Duggar.courtesy Washington county arkansas
The former19 Kids and Countingstar appeared at the hearing at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas via Zoom, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was charged.
During his court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to the two charges against him: one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. (His attorneys declined to have the judge read out the charges against him.)
Josh allegedly used the internet to download material of child sexual abuse, “some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019,” according to a press release.
If he is convicted, Josh faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 on each count.
Josh, who tuned into the meeting from an Arkansas detention center, will remain in jail as he awaits a bond hearing.
source: people.com
