Are the Duggars wealthy?

[luv2laugh]

Would you consider the Duggars wealthy? Do you think they make a lot of money from their television show? Do you think that their kids will ever know what it is like to struggle financially?

[muffynbear]

I think the Duggars wealth is relative. I don't live in Arkansas so I don't know the area they live in, but I think the cost of living there is low. I would say the Duggars are wealthy for the area that they live in. They own a lot of property and have several vehicles. All of this takes $$$. I'm sure that the money the Duggars make from TLC goes into JimBob's pocket to do whatever he wants.

[ophelia]

I don't know how much money they make through the show and much through their real estate business, but I think they are doing pretty fine..

Compared to other Quiverful-families you can absolutely say that they are super wealthy.

[Lillybee]

Without the income from TLC, I doubt that the Duggars would be wealthy. They might squeak by as middle class without that income.

[Beb]

I think the Duggars wealth is relative. I don't live in Arkansas so I don't know the area they live in, but I think the cost of living there is low. I would say the Duggars are wealthy for the area that they live in. They own a lot of property and have several vehicles. All of this takes $$$. I'm sure that the money the Duggars make from TLC goes into JimBob's pocket to do whatever he wants.

They live in NW Arkansas. If you're unfamiliar with the area, it is where the WalMart home offices are located. It's the "Home of WalMart." That is significant to the economy of the area--many, many very wealthy people and many more who simply have lots of money. Of course, there are the poor, and you're right, the cost of living is much lower than in some areas, but WalMart, which occupies a good deal of NW AR, both logistically and economically accounts for the desirability of that area. Oh, and the Waltons call the place home, and of course, they are worth billions.

But then, WalMart is not the only major industry there (and WM IS the world's largest retailer); Tyson and J.B. Hunt also pivot from there. Then, of course, the University of AR is in Fayetteville (another part of NW AR), along with many other major but smaller employers (Little Debbie is nearby).

A few years ago, WalMart made the decision they wanted their vedors to locate corporate offices in the area so as to facilitate business. That brought an influx of even more employment and economic opportunity (S.C. Johnson, Disney, General Mills, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, Motorola, and the list goes on and on--I think there are around 1500 or more WM vendors with offices in the NW AR metro area).

So, I'm really not an ambassador for the region (LOL), but I say all this to illustrate that the Duggars, while not in the lower economic strata by any means are certainly nowhere near the top, either. They fit in nicely and expectedly among others in the area.

[MerryHappy]

Considering they have income from their book deals, their TV show and speaking engagements/appearances and also factoring in how much they do not have to buy because it is given to them, I would say-yes.

I would say "hell yes" considering they are a Quiverfull family. They are the only wealthy QF family I know of. The families I knew growing up were barely scraping by.

[lilwriter85]

The Duggars are wealthy but not extremely wealthy. I agree with others they are doing a lot better than other QF families.

[BravaAmica]

I don't think they're wealthy, I do think they're well off, though. They probably net a few million a year- but what investments, real estate and how much liquid assets do they have?

[ThisOlGirl]

I wonder how the Duggar's wealth stacks up against other Fundie Royal Families that don't have a TV show? I didn't read the whole KISA thread, but IIRC, Knight said something like Dougie is not as well off as he appears to be and he (Knight) predicted that Dougie would soon be running into serious financial difficulties. Of course, this all came from Knight, so grain of salt, blah blah blah. There's also been some speculation (or maybe viable info) here on FJ about the Botkins having some serious debt and/or financial difficulties.

I suppose that's the rub with a lot of folks; the fundie royalty goes on and on about how if you're a big enough SuperChristian, and do everything right, you too can have a lifestyle like the Phillips or Botkin family. Meanwhile, those very people are not doing near as well as they'd like us all to believe.

[treemom]

Would you consider the Duggars wealthy? Do you think they make a lot of money from their television show? Do you think that their kids will ever know what it is like to struggle financially?

The national standard for affluent is actually low. My husband and I have fallen into it for several years and I am sure the duggars make way more than that. I bet they make between 50K and 100K per episode.

[ohpotteryourotter]

Obviously they make enough to not only feed 19 (going on 20) children, but also build their own house on a large property, own several cars, vans, and nice buses, help with their children's business ventures, help settle their children in their own homes, invest in other properties, put braces on their children's teeth and from the looks of it, cloth their children with nicer and nicer clothes each season. I'd say they are doing pretty darn well. Oh, not to mention their recent little trip around the world. 19 kids + 2 parents + one wife + one grandchild + grandma duggar = not so cheap.

[BravaAmica]

Obviously they make enough to not only feed 19 (going on 20) children, but also build their own house on a large property, own several cars, vans, and nice buses, help with their children's business ventures, help settle their children in their own homes, invest in other properties, put braces on their children's teeth and from the looks of it, cloth their children with nicer and nicer clothes each season. I'd say they are doing pretty darn well. Oh, not to mention their recent little trip around the world. 19 kids + 2 parents + one wife + one grandchild + grandma duggar = not so cheap.

I thought TLC fronted their trip around the world? And if they didn't, if they were "working," (i.e., filming) they can write off most of it as unremibursed business expenses somehow

[JenniferJuniper]

I thought TLC fronted their trip around the world? And if they didn't, if they were "working," (i.e., filming) they can write off most of it as unremibursed business expenses somehow

Those trips must be all expenses paid courtesy of TLC. Dim Bob would never spend such money otherwise.

[Guest Anonymous]

Well, their show can't last forever so I hope they are saving what they bring in because once the show ends (might not until Michelle stops breeding), I just don't see how they will be able to bring in that amount of money with the things they were doing before like managing the real estate properties. I've always been curious about that the Bates family and how much money they have earned from their appearances on the show.