Are Josh Duggar and Anna Duggar Still Together? Where They Stand Amid His Time in Prison

On the rocks or happily together? Josh Duggar and Anna Duggar’s relationship has drastically changed since he began serving time in prison. Keep scrolling to find out where they stand today.

Are Josh Duggar and Anna Duggar Still Together?

Despite having a long-distance romance as Josh serves time at Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) in Seagoville, Texas, he and Anna are still together.

In fact, Anna – who shares children Mackynzie, Maryella, Marcus, Mason, Michael, Meredith and Madyson with Josh – was considering a move south to be closer to her husband.

However, In Touch exclusively reported that Josh believed Anna would be “influenced to leave him” if she moved away from their home in Arkansas. “The problem is that Josh doesn’t want Anna and their kids moving away from his family,” the source revealed. “He thinks it will create too much of a disconnection for her and his kids.”

The 19 Kids and Counting alum “can’t raise his kids from prison and he’s afraid of outside influences,” said the insider.

“He doesn’t want anyone but Anna and his immediate family to guide his children,” the source added. “He also fears that if Anna is distanced from his family, she might be influenced to leave him.”

How Does Anna Duggar Feel About Her Relationship With Josh Duggar?

While she hoped to move to Texas with their seven children, an additional source exclusively told In Touch that Anna was “working hard” to accept that Josh might not be in her life for the next several years. 

“Anna doesn’t want to get her hopes up, and while he’ll always be the father of her children, she’s not sure if there is a future with Josh,” the insider shared. “As far as I know she still communicates with Josh, but in her heart, all she has left is her children and her faith.”

A third source shared that Anna will face a difficult decision if Josh’s appeal of his conviction is denied.

“Anna’s not sure what will happen if Josh’s appeal gets denied,” the source said of the former TLC star. “Permanently moving closer to her sister is a real option, [though] she’s torn. Anna will have to make some very crucial life decisions.”

Anna Duggar’s ‘Future Life’ With Josh Doesn’t Seem ‘Attainable’

Though Anna and Josh are still together, a separate source exclusively told In Touch in November 2022 that a “future life” with the former car salesman doesn’t seem “attainable” amid his imprisonment. 

“Anna wishes this nightmare was behind her, but it’s not,” the insider revealed. “Josh changed her life in many ways. He gave her a beautiful family, but he also ruined their family dynamic. She’s devoted to her children, that’s her only certainty. Josh has done terrible things. She’s still dealing with that.”

Is Anna Duggar Planning to Have a Future With Josh Duggar?

The former reality star was “constantly praying” about the “future” of hers and Josh’s marriage, an insider exclusively told In Touch in January 2023.

“Anna is still very much questioning their future,” the family insider shared. “She took her wedding vows seriously and she wants to stand by her man and all that, but the reality of her situation is very difficult.”

The source added that Anna was “trying to stay positive, but it’s not easy.” They noted that she “wants Josh by her side, as a husband and as a father to their children,” however that “isn’t physically possible for now, or the near future.”

As Anna continues to struggle with having distance from Josh, the insider noted that “divorce is not something she wants.”

“She’d be lying if she said she hasn’t questioned her future with Josh,” the source added. “Anna married Josh for better or worse and it can’t get any worse than this.”

What Is Anna Duggar’s Relationship with Josh Duggar’s Family?

Anna used to be close with Josh’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, and his 18 siblings, though it appears that her relationships with the family have changed with Josh away.

“The Duggar family fully supports Anna, but it’s complicated. There are a lot of hurt feelings over what Josh did,” another insider exclusively told In Touch about their current family dynamic. “She still attends family functions because her kids love their cousins, aunts and uncles, but it’s not the same for Anna.”

Another reason Anna was considering a move to Texas is to “distance herself from Josh’s sisters.” 

“It started after some family members spoke out about Josh’s arrest,” an additional source told In Touch. “Anna took it as a betrayal and she’s still not ready to fully forgive some family members.”

Following the release of the Prime Video docuseries, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets in June 2023, which delve deeper into the Duggar’s fame and demise, Anna strongly disapproved of her sister-in-law Jill Duggar Dillard’s participation in it. 

“Josh’s wife Anna isn’t a fan of Jill. While she isn’t saying much, I hear that she doesn’t want to watch the documentary and thinks the people who participated are toxic,” an insider close to the family exclusively told In Touch on June 6, 2023. “Anna’s faith has been tested enough, but apparently she’s still a strong believer. She has shifted away from the core beliefs of IBLP, but her faith is all she has.”

The source added, “Some say Anna needs to watch it, to get another wake up call, but she’s not ready. She’s still trying to cope with what Josh did.”

Why Is Josh Duggar Serving Time in Prison?

In December 2021, Josh was found guilty by an Arkansas jury of one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography following a nine-day trial. The possessing child pornography charge was later dropped at his sentencing hearing.

The disgraced reality star “allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas shared in a press release at the time. “Duggar allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.” 

Josh was sentenced to serve approximately 12.5 years in prison on May 25, 2022. However, his release date was later changed to August 12, 2032, which is slightly more than 10 years, In Touch confirmed in July.