LIFE AFTER JOSH Anna Duggar ‘carries a lot of tension’ and ‘just wants to protect herself’ 3 years after disgraced husband Josh’s arrest
ANNA Duggar carries around “a lot of tension” three years after her disgraced husband Josh’s arrest on child pornography charges.
The mother of seven, 36, also appears to “just want to protect herself” from public scrutiny in the aftermath of her family’s horrific scandal, body language expert Patti Wood told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview.
Anna, who was spotted for the first time in two years at an Arkansas community event in The U.S. Sun’s exclusive photos, spoke volumes without saying a word in a very baggy cream sweater and jeans.
“Transforming herself through her clothing choices is a way to create protection,” Patti said. “She does not want to be judged or evaluated.”
On the December 10 outing, Anna covered her hands with her extra-long sleeves- a sign she is “carrying tension” and “has a desire to protect herself,” Patti added.
Anna’s body language did not match the happy nature of the event, the expert further explained.
“She carries a lot of tension around her jaw and hands, and her shoulders are hunched over,” said Patti, the author of SNAP: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma.
“She Looks like she’s sinking downward to protect herself, like a turtle in her shell.”
Anna was also spotted on December 12 in Arkansas with some friends, but otherwise lives a very quiet life with her children in a windowless warehouse on her in-laws’ property.
NIGHTMARE MARRIAGE
In recent years, Anna has weathered Josh’s horrific behavior and the serious consequences of his decisions.
In news that shocked the Christian reality TV family’s fans, Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021.
The Duggar clan’s long-running reality show, Counting On, was abruptly canceled due to the unspeakable nature of the charges.
Anna Duggar laughs with friends while dressed up in silk top and jeans for rare outing without imprisoned husband Josh
He was found guilty after a trial in December of that year, and sentenced to over 12 years in prison in 2022.
That June, he was transferred to FCI Seagoville prison, where he remains today.
His release date is October 2, 2032, and according to Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks, he will not be released even a day early.
Josh was spotted for the first time in years on his prison’s grounds on November 22, wearing a brown shirt, shorts and sunglasses.
He was once a rising conservative lobbyist in Washington, D.C. before his career came crashing down in 2015- when he was discovered to be using cheating site Ashley Madison.
He then admitted to cheating on Anna, and harboring a secret pornography addiction.
Josh then checked into a Christian rehab center.
He later worked as a used car salesman until his shocking arrest.
STANDING BY HER MAN
Anna has always maintained her husband’s innocence, and even regularly visits him in prison with her kids.
“We’ve seen Anna at visitation fairly regularly. I’ve spoken to Anna a couple of times,” a fellow inmate told The U.S. Sun.
“Normally the only thing I’ve seen is Anna and then their kids, I don’t really know anybody else.”
While Josh’s siblings, including sisters Jill and Jinger, have spoken out against Josh’s crimes, Anna has only gushed over him.
“Joshua has worked hard to provide for me and our (now) seven children,” she wrote in a letter to an Arkansas judge begging for leniency before sentencing.
“But the happiest part of the day by far is when Daddy comes home from work, and his cheerful voice fills the house, ‘Hey, guys! How’s it going? What did you learn about in school today?’ are usually the conversation starters in between greeting each of our children.
“Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions, or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers.”
As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Anna now quietly makes ends meet through her dog breeding company, Golden Grove Pups, LLC.
She lives in her humble home with her kids: Mackynzie, 15, Michael, 13, Marcus, 11, Meredith, 9, Mason, 7, Maryella, 5, and Madyson, 3.
