Anna Duggar divorce update: Hope for a ‘restored marriage’ in latest Jill & Jessa episode
The latest Anna Duggar divorce update appears to put an end to weeks of speculation and rumor–but does leave the door open for the possibility in the future. Last night’s episode of Jill & Jessa: Counting On opened with a long-awaited interview from Anna Duggar, who finally broke her silence regarding embattled husband Josh Duggar’s infidelity and molestation scandals.
The question of whether Anna Duggar had forgiven Josh was central to the second Jill & Jessa installment; onlookers spent the week between episodes one and two wondering what Anna would say when put before TLC’s cameras. Lesser-known Duggar brothers John-David and Joseph took the spotlight last week, with their gentle, but firm stance against Josh’s shady ways. “We don’t want to be like him,” the brothers said, while discussing the difficulties of becoming the oldest respected male members of their generation.
In addition, reports that Anna visited Josh Duggar at his sex addiction treatment center in the days before Thanksgiving surfaced right before Jill & Jessa episode two aired. Those reports, combined with the widespread belief that Josh was “desperate” to save his marriage with Anna, led many to believe that the next Anna Duggar divorce update would point toward reconciliation for the couple.
That belief appeared to be justified following last night’s Jill & Jessa episode, which featured Anna Duggar almost from the very beginning. “It felt like a bad dream,” said Anna, who fought back tears at several points. “It’s such a betrayal for a spouse for through what we’re walking through and it was hard.”
Anna claimed that she’d known about the Josh Duggar molestation allegations for years, sharing that they came up while she and Josh were still courting. “I knew about this long before it hit the press,” Anna said, and went on to explain that a “very detailed and very honest” Josh told Anna and her parents all about that trying period in his life when his future in-laws visited the Duggars’ Arkansas compound for the first time.
The most emotionally charged moment during Anna’s interview came when a producer asked her what she wanted for herself and Josh. A thoughtful Anna took a moment before responding: “In my heart,” Anna said, “when I got married, I vowed to God first and then to Joshua, ‘For better or for worse, ’till death do we part.’ I pray that through all of this that I would be an extension of God’s love to Joshua, that I would love him and forgive him and wait patiently and allow God to work through our hearts.”
While quick to point out how painful Josh’s “betrayal” was, Anna concluded, “My prayer and my heart’s desire is for our marriage to be restored.”
The third and final episode of Jill & Jessa: Counting On will air on TLC this Sunday, December 27th.
(Photo credits: Anna Duggar divorce update via TLC)
