For many people, the very idea of a leader with multiple wives, especially when some are very young, is quite unsettling. Warren Jeffs, a name often linked with the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or FLDS, certainly brings up a lot of questions about this. So, it's almost natural to wonder about his personal life, particularly about his marital status. He is, after all, a figure who has been at the center of much public discussion and legal trouble.
He was the head of a rather secretive polygamist group, and his actions led to his imprisonment. This, you know, makes people curious about what happened to the women who were considered his spouses. It's a complex situation, and many details have come out over time regarding the women connected to him.
This article will explore the story of Warren Jeffs' many wives, looking at what the records say about their numbers and what might have happened to them after his incarceration. We'll also touch on his role within the FLDS church, even from behind bars, and how that might affect these relationships. Basically, we're trying to figure out if Warren Jeffs still has wives, and what that even means for them.
Table of Contents
- Who Is Warren Jeffs?
- The Scope of His Marriages
- What Happened to His Wives After His Imprisonment?
- Does Warren Jeffs Still Lead the FLDS From Prison?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Warren Jeffs and His Wives
Who Is Warren Jeffs?
Warren Steed Jeffs, born on December 3, 1955, is, in a way, a rather infamous figure. He rose to become the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, known as the FLDS church. This group practices polygamy, a tradition that sets them apart from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jeffs took over leadership after his father, Rulon Jeffs, passed away. His time as the spiritual head of the sect was, you know, marked by very strict control over his followers' lives.
His leadership eventually led to serious legal trouble. He was, as a matter of fact, convicted in 2011 for child sexual assault. He is now serving a life sentence in Texas. Despite his incarceration, some people still consider him a holy prophet within the FLDS community. It's a complex situation, to say the least, especially when you think about the power he held over his followers, where every man and woman were, in some respects, bound by obedience to him.
Personal Details & Bio Data of Warren Jeffs
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Warren Steed Jeffs |
| Date of Birth | December 3, 1955 |
| Current Status | Serving a life sentence in Texas |
| Crimes Convicted For | Child sexual assault, rape, arranging marriages between young girls and older men |
| Role in FLDS | Cult leader, former President, considered a "holy prophet" by followers |
| Predecessor | Rulon Jeffs (his father) |
The Scope of His Marriages
The number of wives Warren Jeffs had is, you know, a topic that often comes up when discussing his life and the FLDS church. It really highlights his position on monogamy, which was quite different from mainstream views. He made his stance on having multiple wives very clear throughout his time as a leader. This practice was, of course, central to the FLDS way of life.
Sources indicate a very large number of women were considered his spouses. This practice of polygamy was, quite frankly, a significant part of the FLDS church's structure under his leadership. It's a rather stark contrast to typical marital norms, and it's a key reason why he became such a controversial figure.
How Many Wives Did He Have?
Warren Jeffs reportedly had a truly significant number of wives. According to various sources, he had an estimated 87 wives prior to his incarceration, per Wikipedia. At the time of his life imprisonment, Warren Jeffs had a total of 78 wives. This is a number that, frankly, shocks many people.
It's also important to know that he, you know, married all of his father's wives, except two, after his father's passing. This practice, too, is a custom within the FLDS. Multiples sources confirm that Warren Jeffs had 78 wives in total. The Daily Mail reports that 29 of these wives were previously married to his father. At the time of his arrest, a truly troubling detail emerged: 24 of his wives were under the age of 17. These child brides are, arguably, a significant part of why he is currently in federal prison.
The Practice of Polygamy in the FLDS
In the FLDS church, polygamy is, in a way, a core belief, seen as a path to spiritual exaltation. As the spiritual head of the sect, Jeffs had immense authority. This meant, basically, that every man and woman were bound by obedience to him, especially when it came to marriage arrangements. He had the power to assign spouses, and his word was, for many, the ultimate law.
This system allowed him to accumulate a very large number of wives, some of whom were, you know, very young girls. The structure of the church, in some respects, facilitated these arrangements, and it's a key aspect of why his case garnered so much attention. It shows the extent of his influence within the community.
What Happened to His Wives After His Imprisonment?
This is, arguably, one of the biggest questions people have: what happened to his wives once Warren Jeffs was put in jail? His incarceration certainly created a huge shift within the FLDS community and for the women connected to him. It's a situation that has, you know, continued to unfold over the years, with different outcomes for different individuals.
The women, who had lived under his strict control, suddenly faced a very different reality. Some of them had been with him for a long time, and their lives were completely tied to the church and his authority. Others were, in a way, just beginning their lives when they were married to him. So, the question of what happened to them is not a simple one, as there isn't just one single answer.
Remaining Loyal or Breaking Away
The fate of Warren Jeffs' wives after his arrest is, quite frankly, varied. While some of Jeffs' wives remained steadfast in their beliefs and loyalty after his arrest, others, you know, turned against the cult. This shows the different ways people react when their world is turned upside down. For those who stayed loyal, their commitment to the FLDS and to Jeffs himself remained strong, even with him behind bars.
Many of his wives are now living in the church, still adhering to its principles. However, some others, you know, fled the church entirely, seeking a new life away from the polygamist sect. This decision to leave was, for many, a very brave step, as it meant breaking away from everything they had ever known. It's a testament to the human spirit, really, that some found the strength to start over.
The Fate of Child Brides
A particularly heartbreaking aspect of Warren Jeffs' marriages involves the child brides. As mentioned, 24 of his wives were under the age of 17 at the time of his arrest. These young girls were, in a way, forced into marriage with him when they were just kids. Their situation is, arguably, even more complicated than that of his adult wives.
Interestingly, a few of his wives, who are Canadian natives and were forced into marriage with him when they were just kids, still appear to be loyal to him. This loyalty, you know, can be a result of deep-seated indoctrination and fear. The Desert News reported that a couple of Warren’s other wives were even caught trying to maintain contact or support him in some way. The legal system has, in some cases, tried to help these young women, but their path to recovery and a normal life is often very long and difficult. It's a truly tragic part of this whole story.
Does Warren Jeffs Still Lead the FLDS From Prison?
Despite being sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison for child abuse, rape, and arranging marriages between young girls and older men, many still consider him the leader. It's a rather astonishing fact that, even from behind bars, Jeffs reportedly still leads the FLDS. The church, you know, contends with legal battles over missing assets and other issues, but his influence apparently remains strong.
This continued leadership means that, in a spiritual sense, he is still considered the "holy prophet" by many within the sect. His directives, even if communicated indirectly, still carry weight. This, in a way, suggests that the question of whether he "still has wives" isn't just about legal marital status, but also about the enduring spiritual and emotional ties some women might still feel towards him, given his perceived role within their faith. Learn more about Warren Jeffs' legal battles on our site, and for more context on the FLDS church, you can also check out our page on the history of the FLDS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warren Jeffs and His Wives
What happened to Warren Jeffs' wives after he went to prison?
After Warren Jeffs went to prison, the situation for his wives varied quite a bit. Some of them, you know, remained loyal to him and continued to live within the FLDS church community. Others, however, chose to leave the church and try to start new lives away from the polygamist sect. It's a very complex set of circumstances, with different women making different choices.
Are Warren Jeffs' marriages still considered valid by the FLDS church?
Yes, for those within the FLDS church who still consider Warren Jeffs their spiritual leader, his marriages are, in a way, still considered valid and sacred. Despite his imprisonment and legal convictions, he is still seen as the "holy prophet" by many followers. This means that, for them, the spiritual bonds of these marriages persist, even if they are not legally recognized by the state. It's a matter of deeply held religious belief, basically.
How many children did Warren Jeffs have with his wives?
The provided information states that Jeffs is believed to have over 70 wives with several children born to them. However, it does not specify an exact number of children. Given the large number of wives, it's safe to say he had, you know, many children, though precise figures are not detailed in the text. It's a really significant number of people affected by his practices.
