Sister Wives’ Star Christine Brown Says Friendship with Meri Collapsed Over 10 Cents: ‘Mama Bear Came Roaring’ (Exclusive)

Christine Brown Woolley has candidly opened up about the reasons behind the end of her friendship with former sister wife Meri Brown, a revelation that shines light on the complexities of the Brown family’s polygamous dynamics. In her newly released memoir, Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family and Finding Freedom, Christine shares how a seemingly small incident involving their children and a mere ten cents ultimately caused their friendship to implode, reflecting deeper tensions within their blended family.

A Friendship Marked by Struggles

Christine, 53, details in her memoir how her relationship with Meri, 54, deteriorated nearly ten years after they both joined the family through spiritual union with Kody Brown. Despite sharing years of motherhood, family, and public life on the reality show Sister Wives, the bond between the two former sister wives frayed amid conflicting values and personal grievances. Christine recalls feeling undermined by Meri, who allegedly made disparaging remarks about her weight, intelligence, and parenting in front of others.

The Incident That Changed Everything

A pivotal moment, as described by Christine, occurred when her then-8-year-old daughter Mykelti went to a store and was about ten cents short while making a purchase. The cashier, understanding the situation, covered the difference. However, Meri’s son Leon, a young child himself, told Meri about it, sparking an intense reaction. Meri reportedly reprimanded Mykelti for embarrassing herself and her brother, leaving the child confused and distressed. This episode proved to be the breaking point for Christine, who described how her protective instincts surged.

Drawing Boundaries for Family and Self

In response to the incident and a series of similar experiences, Christine decided to sever her friendship with Meri. She vividly recounts shouting, “Don’t talk to my kids, I don’t want you near them, I don’t want you coming downstairs anymore. Our relationship is done!” This decisive moment underscored Christine’s determination to prioritize her family’s well-being over maintaining an untenable relationship dynamic.

Reflections on Polygamous Family Dynamics

Christine reflects in the memoir that Meri was often viewed as the “top wife” in the family hierarchy, a status that brought both influence and tension. She writes that the strict rules set by Meri sometimes felt punishing and unfair, placing Christine in a difficult position as she sought what was best for her family within a complex family structure. The memoir reveals the ongoing challenges of navigating relationships in a plural marriage, with shifting alliances and emotional strains.

Moving Forward and Finding Freedom

Christine shared with PEOPLE that although her life has been public for years through the reality series, she chose to keep some aspects of her story private until now. She expressed a desire to move forward and not dwell excessively on past conflicts. Despite their fractured friendship, Christine and Meri shared a touching moment on a recent season of Sister Wives, embracing after Meri announced her separation from Kody, highlighting the complicated but enduring connections among the family members.