Unfortunately for Josh, 33, this isn’t his first scandal that has made headlines since he rose to fame on TLC over a decade ago.
Here’s what to know about Josh:
Meet the Duggars:19 Kids and Counting
In 2008, TLC introduced audiences to the lives of Jim Bob, his wife Michelle and their 19 children. Along with Josh, the couple are parents to Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace and Josie.
The reality series followed the conservative family, taking audiences inside their Arkansas home and personal lives — including Josh’s wedding to wifeAnna Duggar.
But after nine seasons on air, theshow was canceledin the wake of Josh’s molestation scandal.
Josh and Anna Duggar with their six eldest children.Anna Duggar/instagram
Josh’s Molestation Scandal
In 2015, news broke that Josh had allegedlymolested five underage girlsas a teenager. Two of his sisters, Jill, 29, and Jessa Seewald, 28, latercame forwardas two of the victims, insisting they had already “moved on” and forgiven their brother when the news surfaced.
In his statement to PEOPLE at the time,Josh said, “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Jim Bob and Michelle with daughter-in-law Anna and son Josh Duggar.Scott Enlow/TLC
Speaking toMegyn Kelly in an interview forFox News,Jim Bob and Michelle spoke publicly for the first time after the scandal, saying Josh first touched his sisters improperly while they were sleeping.
Describing it as “one of the darkest times our family has ever gone through,” Jim Bob said he and Michelle put safeguards in place to make sure nothing else happened.
“We watched him like all the time,” said Jim Bob. “I took him to work with me. We just poured our life into him.”
Jim Bob, Michelle, Anna and Josh Duggar.Anna Duggar/instagram
When Kelly asked if they worried that the treatment didn’t work considering how many children were in the house, Jim Bob said, “No. Josh is a changed person.”
Kelly also spoke to Jessa and Jill during the interview. When asked whether they considered themselves to be victims, Jessa said that while what her brother did was “very wrong,” she said she wanted to speak up against people who are calling him a child molester, pedophile or rapist.
“I’m like, that is so overboard and a lie really,” said Jessa. “I mean people get mad at me for saying that, but I can say this because I was one of the victims.”
Josh metAnnaat aChristian homeschooling convention back in 2006when she was a teen. The pair begancourtingand wed two years later in September 2008.
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.”
In August 2015,Gawkerreported that the eldest 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 addictionand 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.
From left: Anna and Josh Duggar.Anna Duggar/instagram
Less than a week after making his confession,Josh sought treatmentat a faith-based rehabilitation center in Rockford, Illinois. After returning to his family’s home state of Arkansas, Josh and Anna revealed that they had entered marriage counseling following theirdifficult year.
The couple went on to have two more children: sonMason Garrett, 3, and daughterMaryella Hope, who turns 2 in November.
Legal Woes
Most recently, Josh faced a real estate lawsuit in 2019. In September of that year, KARK.comreportedthat a three-day jury trial was set for Josh, who was “accused of fraud and is being sued for ‘quiet title’ and breaching a contract, according to court records.” In October,KNWAreported that Josh lost the lawsuit due to him missing a court date.
Josh Duggar.courtesy Washington county arkansas
Various outlets had previously reported that Homeland Security had raided the Duggar family home, which they denied.
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on Josh Duggar.
source: people.com
