Fans of TLC’s “Sister Wives” got a front-row seat to the unraveling of the Brown family, as it shifted from a polygamist household with one husband and four spiritual wives to a mass exodus that left Kody Brown with only one wife.
As longtime fans know, Christine Brown Woolley, the former third wife of Kody Brown, was the first to leave in November 2021. In a recent podcast interview, she was asked about her decision to leave Kody and whether she had any idea how it would inspire other women. Read on to discover what the “Sister Wives” star had to say.
Christine Brown Woolley and David Woolley Sit Down With Pop Psych
Christine Brown Woolley married her new husband, David Woolley, in October 2023. Viewers watched as the happy couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Moab, Utah. While fans know the story of Christine leaving and the infamous “knife in the kidneys” scene, there is still a lot that has not been said about the impact her decision had not only on the family, but also on the viewers it inspired.
In a recent sit-down interview on “Pop Psych,” a podcast hosted by psychologist Dr. David Colarossi and his wife, Allison Colarossi, the hosts praised Christine for leaving, saying it helped countless women find the courage to leave unsafe situations and dangerous relationships.
Dr. Colarossi went on to explain that Christine’s decision to leave was impactful from a psychological standpoint, as she had many reasons to stay. He noted that the pressure she faced at the time was immense, which only made her decision more powerful for viewers.
Christine Brown Woolley Clarifies Why She Left the Family
As the interview continued, Dr. David Colarossi asked Christine Brown Woolley whether having a fan base like Sister Wives was in the back of her mind, and if it helped her find the courage to leave.
The “Sister Wives” star clarified that she was not thinking about the show or fan reactions when she made the decision. She shared, “Honestly, what I cared most about was setting a good example for my kids.”
She added that she wanted her children to know that, “You can do hard things. And you can do them with grace. And you can do them with authenticity.”
Christine went on to explain that she wanted her kids to understand the importance of taking care of yourself and making your needs a priority, even in a long-term relationship.
Christine Brown Talks About the Support She Received After Leaving Kody
Christine Brown Woolley also clarified that she wasn’t fully aware of the impact her departure would have on fans. She said it wasn’t until after the season aired, when people began approaching her and saying things like, “We’re so excited you left. We wanted you to leave for years,” that she realized how much her decision resonated.
She added that the reaction felt like “a wee bit of a backhanded compliment,” as it suggested some fans believed she wasn’t strong enough to leave sooner. However, she made it clear that once she knew she needed to leave, she acted immediately.
Christine emphasized that not leaving earlier was never about weakness, sharing, “I wasn’t weak. It was I loved my family, and I gave it everything that I had. And so when it was time to go, though, I made my methodical choices, and I moved forward with my life.”
As Christine continues to move forward in her new life, it’s clear her decision to leave resonated far beyond her own family. While she may not have set out to inspire others, her story has become a powerful example of choosing yourself when it matters most.
