Amy Roloff, the beloved matriarch of the hit reality show Little People, Big World, recently opened up about the heartbreaking conflict within her family. As a mother, Amy is devastated to see her children torn apart by ongoing disputes, causing a significant rift that threatens to dismantle their once-united bond. In a candid conversation, Amy spoke about her determination to keep her family together despite the challenges they face.
The Roloff family first captured audiences’ hearts in 2006, giving us a glimpse into the lives of fraternal twins Jeremy and Zachary, who happen to have dwarfism, along with their siblings Molly and Jacob. Amy, 60, and her ex-husband Matt Roloff, 61, along with their four children, created a unique and captivating show that allowed viewers to become part of their everyday lives.
However, since leaving their beloved farm, which served as a haven and a source of countless memories for the Roloff children, the family has splintered. Both Jeremy and Zach, along with their respective spouses and growing families, Jacob and his wife Isabel, and Molly and her partner have all distanced themselves from the Roloff clan. Amy’s new husband, Chris Marek, and Matt’s fiancée, Caryn Chandler, have also entered the picture, further expanding the family dynamic.
During a recent Live chat with a friend, Amy couldn’t help but express her longing for her rarely-seen children. With a heavy heart, she revealed, “… so yeah, I haven’t seen her in a while, since January, and I miss my daughter,” referring to Molly, who is now 29 years old. It’s clear that the absence of her children is deeply felt by Amy, leaving her yearning for the close-knit family they once were.
The family turmoil began after Amy and Matt’s marriage ended, casting a dark cloud over the Roloff family. Jacob, the youngest of the Roloff siblings, grew weary of the show’s direction and eventually decided to quit at 18. He felt that the crew’s agenda didn’t align with the well-being and happiness of their family, leading him to distance himself from the reality TV show. In his own words, Jacob explained, “They are the Roloff Characters, and neither do I wish to be one of them nor share anything in common with them.”
Meanwhile, Molly took a different path. She moved out with her spouse Joel Silvius and now works as an accountant, away from the spotlight that the show brought. However, despite their differences, Jacob accepted Matt’s invitation to return to the $4 million farm. He now works alongside his father, dedicating himself to the family business and living with his wife and young son, Mateo, in a five-wheeler.
While Jacob’s return to the farm initially seemed like a positive development, it only intensified the rivalry between him and his brothers. The twins’ offers to purchase the estate from their father were adamantly denied, causing further tension within the family. Matt’s Instagram posts, once centered around the twins and their children, now primarily feature Caryn, the farm, and Jacob’s family.
But the conflicts within the Roloff family extend beyond Jacob and his brothers. There have been ongoing challenges between Jacob and his sister-in-law, Audrey. Despite efforts to settle their differences, Jacob, an agnostic, and Audrey, a Christian marriage blogger, still clash. Their disagreement reached its breaking point when Audrey publicly criticized Jacob’s engagement to his now-wife Isabel in a 2017 Christmas post.
In response to Audrey’s negative remarks, Jacob called off the engagement on social media. While the rest of the Roloff family celebrated the engagement, Audrey’s disapproval and public criticism created a divide. Audrey’s subsequent controversial posts about topics such as Black Lives Matter and the LGBTQ+ community further fueled the feud, making matters even worse.
An inside source shared that Jacob distanced himself once again, no longer wanting to be involved with Audrey due to the ongoing conflicts. However, it’s vital to note that the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Audrey is just one of the many challenges the Roloff family faces.
The separation and subsequent relationships of Amy and Matt have also contributed to the ongoing conflict within the family. Viewers witnessed the breakdown of their marriage in 2016, followed by their navigation into new relationships and disagreements about the division of the farm. Amy revealed feeling “pressured” into selling her share of the property to Matt, unaware of the complications that would arise later. She expressed her astonishment at the current state of affairs, stating, “I had no idea what was happening right now. It astounds me.”
Another source of tension is the strained relationship between Matt and Zach. In season 22, viewers witnessed the growing conflict between father and son, as Matt blindsided Zach by refusing to let him purchase the land. This decision by Matt caused an outcry from fans, who questioned his puzzling judgments. In response to the backlash, Matt posted a picture on Instagram of Jacob, Isabel, and Zach’s son, pleading for an end to the hate. He said, “Using the internet to spread hate is a terrible way to live.”
Despite the strife and challenges they face, Amy continues to be the glue that holds the family together, offering her unwavering support to all her children. When Zach recently underwent emergency surgery, Amy stepped up to care for the grandchildren, allowing Tori to be by Zach’s side. Her dedication and love for her family shine through even in the darkest times.
As fans, we’ve shared numerous memories with the Roloff family over the course of 24 seasons on Little People, Big World. From heartwarming moments to challenging times, their journey has taught us about resilience and the power of love. We hope that the Roloff family can find peace and resolution, creating new memories that will overshadow the current conflicts.
