This Man Has the Most Wives in America

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This Man Has the Most Wives in America
Polygamy is a fairly taboo topic, and certainly not for everyone. Despite the fact it’s illegal in America, experts estimate 30,000 to 50,000 people are living in “plural families” nationwide.
[size=undefined]These men ignored conventional marriage practices (and for some, the law) and took multiple wives, setting the record for the most partners in America. Just wait till you see how many wives the man who made No. 1 has …
7. Richard
Oprah got an exclusive look into an exclusive polygamist community in Arizona. | Mike Coppola /iStock/Getty Images[/size]

• Three wives
  

[size=undefined]The Oprah Show was granted access into Centennial Park, Arizona — one of the most elusive (and exclusive) “polygamist communities” nationwide. Richard, his three wives, and their many children live in a 30,000-square-foot mansion. The house is three stories, has three separate wings, and 33 bedrooms — enough for the large family.
Richard gave Oprah this answer when asked about the nature of his multiple relationships: “Love plays a huge role, and it plays a role in each one of my marriages,” Richard says. “I love these ladies.”
Next: He wasn’t the first polygamist in Utah, but he was the first to star in a reality show about it.
6. Kody Brown
Kody Brown and his wives got a TV show. | Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images[/size]

• Four wives
  

[size=undefined]The TLC reality show Sister Wives covered the life and marriages of Kody Brown. Kody and his four wives — Robyn, Christine, Janelle, and Meri — and their 18 kids lived in Utah. They moved to Nevada in 2011 to avoid prosecution as Utah law banned their polygamous relationship.
Next: His marriages were illegal for more than one reason
5. Tom Green
Utah polygamist Tom Green with some of his wives. | George Frey/AFP/Getty Images[/size]

• Five wives
  

[size=undefined]Mormon fundamentalist Tom Green appeared on shows like Dateline, The Jerry Springer Show, and more to promote his polygamist lifestyle. Three of his wives — Linda, Carrie, and Hannah — are sisters, and the other two, Shirley and Lenna, are siblings as well. He fathered 25 kids in total.
Green went on TV and “pretty much dared” the police to arrest him for his polygamous relationships. They did in 2002 when they discovered his first wife, Linda, was a minor when their relationship began.
Next: He has been married numerous times — in fact, double digits
4. Winston Blackmore
Winston Blackmore | The Fifth Estate via YouTube[/size]

• 27 wives
  

[size=undefined]The leader of a polygamist Mormon fundamentalist group in Canada, many speculated Blackmore would take over as president of The Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FDLS) after Rulon Jeff’s death (page 6).
Blackmore’s father was also a polygamist — he married six women — making Blackmore one of 31 siblings. Blackmore has 149 children and is facing a maximum penalty of up to five years in jail for violating Canada’s laws against polygamy. His sentencing hearing is set for May 15.
Next: How many times the founder of Mormonism married
3. Joseph Smith, Jr.
Joseph Smith, Jr. founded the Mormon church. | Hulton Archive/Getty Images[/size]

• Around 34 wives
  

[size=undefined]The founder of Mormonism had a reported 33 wives in addition to his “main wife” Emma. They ranged from 14 years of age to 60. DNA tests are still being conducted on those who claim to be Smith’s descendants, as it’s unknown how many children he actually fathered.
Mormonism and its various sects, including  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), preach eternal love and plural marriage, or polygamy.
Next: Like father, like son
2. Rulon Timpson Jeffs
Rulon Timpson Jeffs and wives | Gordon Shumway via YouTube[/size]

• 75 wives
  

[size=undefined]Father of the man with the most wives in America (next), Rulon Jeffs lived for 93 years and married nearly as many women. A leader of FDLS, he was known to his chuch members as “Uncle Ron.”
Jeffs had 75 wives and fathered 65 children. At the time of his death (2002) he was survived by 20 wives.
Next: He holds the record for most marriages nationwide.
1. Warren Jeffs
Warren Jeffs was briefly on the FBI’s most wanted list. | Douglas C. Pizac-Pool/Getty Images[/size]

• At least 80 wives
  

[size=undefined]Warren Steed Jeffs is the infamous polygamist of our generation and allegedly married 80 women, fathering 250 children with them. He acted as prophet and president of the FDLS, based in Colorado City, Arizona. He succeeded his father after his death in 2002 and married two of his father’s widows.
In 2007 Jeffs was found guilty of rape, polygamy, tax evasion, and kidnapping, and was sentenced to life in prison.[/size]