Jon Gosselin Says Six of His Children Are 'Perfect Strangers' After Years of Estrangement
The reality star revealed he hasn't spoken to most of his eight children in over a decade, coinciding with son Collin's recent memoir detailing alleged abuse by their mother, Kate Gosselin.
Jon Gosselin, known for the TLC reality series "Jon & Kate Plus 8," stated that he is now a "perfect stranger" to six of his eight children due to over a decade of estrangement. This revelation comes as his son, Collin Gosselin, has released a memoir detailing alleged mistreatment by their mother, Kate Gosselin.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jon Gosselin admitted he has not spoken to most of his children, stating, "I haven't talked to them." He elaborated that he has been estranged from his two eldest children, Mady and Cara, for approximately 13 years, and has not seen the other four since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"And then, the other four, I haven't seen them since before COVID maybe," he said. Gosselin expressed a desire to reconnect, adding, "Of course I want to talk to them. It's not about the book stuff, I just want to know how their life is going."
He shared that he has attempted to reach out to his children publicly and privately, expressing hope for future reconciliation. "I hope one day you reach out to me," he stated, urging them to read their brother's book to form their own opinions.
Collin Gosselin's memoir, "In The Shadow of Eight: Surviving the Reality of My Childhood," has brought renewed attention to the family's dynamics. In it, Collin, 22, accused his mother of abuse, including being zip-tied, locked in a basement room, and physically disciplined for failing to perform for cameras.
Kate Gosselin, in response to fan comments on a social media post, indicated that she and her children know her "truly" and that is what matters most. She thanked a fan who wrote about her strength and the sacrifices she made, adding, "I know who I am and my kids know who I truly am and to me, that’s all that matters."
"Jon & Kate Plus 8" aired from 2007 to 2009, followed by "Kate Plus 8" until 2017, documenting the lives of Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children. Collin and Hannah Gosselin began living with Jon in 2018. Jon Gosselin has previously stated that while Collin went "no contact" with his siblings, Hannah maintained contact with her mother.