Meet Josiah Duggar's Ex-Girlfriend Marjorie Jackson, a College Graduate and a Published Author

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Marjorie Jackson and Josiah Duggar's relationship seemed destined to end in forever until their sudden break-up. Since then, she has forged her path, and it's far from what she would have become had she married a Duggar.

In 2015, two teenagers from Christian families living in Arkansas started courting, and their families were sure that it would end up in holy matrimony.

Josiah Duggar and brothers on GOOD MORNING AMERICA, Monday, March 14 | Photo: Getty Images

Marjorie Jackson and Josiah Duggar were happy, appeared to dote on each other, and announced their courtship in a joint video.

DATING WITH PURPOSE

The video, which got released by TLC, showed a 17-year-old Marjorie happily informing her audience that she had an inside scoop into what's happening in the Duggar family.

She joked that it was about courtship, but did not involve, Jedidiah, Joseph or John David Duggar.

At that point, Josiah joined the then-teenager, and they announced that they were in a "courting relationship," which got explained as,

"Dating with purpose. Getting to know each other better in a group setting, along with our families."

In an interview with People at the time, the then "19 Kids, and Counting" star revealed that he met Marjorie while he was taking Spanish lessons from her mother, Analucia.

The two were always in each other's orbits, but the reality star didn't show his interest until the Duggars, and the Jacksons travelled to El Salvador for missionary work.

IT WORKED UNTIL IT DIDN'T

"It's been going very well… I [am] very impressed with the way she acts with her siblings, and her love for the Lord."

It also helped that their parents were on board. In a separate interview, Marjorie's dad, Greg Jackson, said both families were not surprised as they saw the relationship between their children happening.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar shared the same sentiment, with the former describing the bilingual young lady as a go-getter, and as someone who'll make a difference in the world.

Since Marjorie and Josiah parted ways, the former has led a life different from what she would have had if the relationship worked out

However, despite the acceptance of both families, the relationship lasted for only three months. Neither the Duggars nor the Jacksons talked about why their children ended things.

Jim Bob Duggar and wife Michelle Duggar visit "Extra" at their New York studios on March 11, 2014 | Photo: Getty Images

MARJORIE FOUND HER PATH

Since Marjorie and Josiah parted ways, the former has led a life different from what she would have had if the relationship worked out.

Contrary to the Duggar tradition, the Arkansas native went to college and graduated in December 2018 from the John Brown University. She shared a photo dressed in her convocation gown and holding her diploma on Instagram.

The 22-year-old woman is also a published author, with two books — "Greatest Book You've Never Read" and "Devoted: A Girl's 31-Day Guide to Good Living with a Great God."

The books are centred around her Christian faith, and in 2018, she celebrated the first anniversary of the publication of "Devoted: A Girl's 31-Day Guide to Good Living with a Great God" on Instagram.

The most significant transformation she experienced is perhaps dying her hair blonde

Marjorie's also a public speaker with a focus on bringing the Christian faith to young people. She spoke at last year's NWA Beautiful Girls Retreat and announced with a video where she was the principal speaker.

THEY ARE BOTH GENUINELY HAPPY

The first child of the Jacksons' has travelled quite a bit since her relationship with Josiah ended.

Still, the most significant transformation she experienced is perhaps dying her hair blonde, as evidenced by her recent posts on Instagram, and she now lives in New York City.

Josiah, on the other hand, followed the usual Duggar tradition of marrying in the early 20s.

Three years after his relationship with Marjorie ended, he began courting a friend of the family, Lauren Swanson, and they got married in 2018; he was 21 at the time.

Soon after, the "Counting On" star got pregnant but lost the baby in October. Recently, on November 8th, the couple welcomed their daughter, Bella Duggar, and thanked God for the blessing in an Instagram post.

Josiah and Marjorie might have ended up in different paths, but they are now living the lives they created for themselves, and are genuinely happy.

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmpvamlibXquscStZKaZop%2B8s7XEZqGam5uovK9506GcZp2oYrSqvsufqaKdnpl7qcDMpQ%3D%3D