‘Sister Wives’: Why Meri Brown Will Always Have the Upper Hand

The first of the Sister Wives, Meri Brown, has a loyal following and detractors and most all want to know why she stays in her plural marriage. She admits it’s been a long time since she and Kody Brown were intimate, so why stay? Could it be because she’s needed and knows it?

Meri Brown Remains the Sister Wives Breadwinner

Back in the day, when Kody Brown began to accumulate spouses, they had defined roles. Meri Brown was the matriarch. Then in came Janelle Brown who was a career-minded woman.

She worked as a successful realtor and that’s why being one of the Sister Wives worked so well for her. Add wife number three, and Janelle had the help she needed to raise her kids in Christine Brown’s co-parenting skills.

While Kody’s reportedly had sales jobs and other endeavors, once TLC came on the scene, that turned into bread and butter. Meanwhile, Meri began building herself into quite the businesswoman.

Today, it seems quite likely that she out-earns everyone in the family. Not only could that make the Browns reliant on Meri for income. But it also assures Meri Brown a spot since she doesn’t seem inclined to leave the Sister Wives.

What is Meri Brown’s Net Worth? Wife #1 the Top Dog?

In terms of income, Meri has three main sources of money coming into her wallet. First, there’s TLC cash. With an estimated per episode earning of $25-40k split five ways, she likely sees about $55-104k per season.

Then, Meri Brown’s a mega-seller on the LuLaRoe multi-level marketing program. The first of the Sister Wives is high enough in the ranks to be awarded annual cruises and trips. That’s only for top-tier sales reps.

Plus, her downline of sellers she gets a share of is likely impressive given her reality TV fame. And her status at LLR is so impressive that she was invited to be a keynote speaker at one of their sales rallies.

And Meri thanks LLR founder (and subject of the notorious documentary LuLaRich) DeAnne Stidham for her “belief in me”. Top earners at the clothing MLM company are estimated to rake in more than $2 million.

Last year, Sister Wives star Meri listed herself as a tier two, which is a Trainer, which averages around $230k. But given her new status as a keynote speaker, she may have moved up to Coach status with puts you in the $800k+ lane.

Also, most Trainers for LLR are unlikely to have access to a potential downline the size of Meri’s given her public figure status. So, let’s guesstimate her income from the clothing brand at closer to $400k on top of her reality rake-in.

Sister Wives Income Highest for First Bride?

Let’s estimate about a half-million a year for TV and clothing sales. Plus, Meri Brown’s the sole owner of Lizzie’s Heritage Inn. She bought it alone after Kody rejected her invitation to make it a Sister Wives family endeavor.

The mortgage on Lizzie’s is $346,500 and Meri’s on the mortgage docs as a single woman. That’s a modest payment of less than $2,000 a month. And her inn’s got a solid five-star rating. Her four rooms at the inn total $650 a night providing another $200k (roughly).

So, she’s up to close around $700k income a year. Janelle and Christine have an online health drink business that’s in its infancy. At last reports, Kody’s selling guns at shows. And the last of the Sister Wives, Robyn Brown, seems jobless (but has a nanny).

Trulia estimates Meri Brown’s B&B value as double what she owes on it. She appears to be still renting in Flagstaff. But with her earnings, she’s not quite a one-percenter. But she’s definitely a two-percenter.

So, if you ever wonder why Kody doesn’t just cut Meri loose given that he doesn’t seem to care much for her and hasn’t slept with her in a decade, maybe money is the answer. And if she wants to stay, despite the obstacles, this might also explain their situation.

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