Amy Duggar King, who used to be on the show “19 Kids and Counting,” is sharing a family secret that was kept from her for a long time.
Amy, who is now 39, has written a book called “Holy Disruptor” that comes out on October 14. In the book, she talks about learning something surprising about her family after her grandfather, Jimmy Lee Duggar, passed away.
When Amy was growing up, she was never allowed to be alone with her grandfather. She says she always wondered why. She asked her mom and grandma about it, but they wouldn’t tell her. They wanted to protect her from the truth.
After her grandfather died, Amy’s mom finally told her that he was a “predator,” which is how Amy describes him in her book.
Amy says she didn’t know the reason why she couldn’t be alone with her grandfather until her mom told her. She had always guessed, but no one ever talked about it. She says it was hard, but she trusted what she was told as a child.
She knew she couldn’t do certain things with her grandfather, like go on the trampoline, watch movies, or ride in the car. She just accepted it.
Her grandmother always made sure Amy’s bedroom door was locked at night. Her mom would also check on her. Amy says it was like they were protecting her from something.
Now that she knows the truth, Amy says it changes a lot.
She and her mom cried together and hugged. She says it was a special moment that they needed and that they were finally able to be honest with each other. She is thankful for that.
Amy says she could have been a victim too. She realizes how close she was to danger.
In her book, Amy also talks about her cousin Josh Duggar. Josh is in prison for having child pornography. He says he didn’t do it and is trying to get his conviction overturned.
Josh admitted in the past to hurting multiple girls, including his sisters, when they were young.
Amy confronted Josh about what he did to his sisters. She asked him why he didn’t hurt her, and he said he “knew better.” She says he then gave her a creepy smile.
Amy says she realized in that moment that she didn’t know Josh at all.
Sharing these stories in her book was difficult for Amy.
She says writing the book was the hardest thing she has ever done. She pushed herself and cried a lot, but she wanted to be brave and tell the truth.
Amy’s book, “Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade While Getting Louder with the Truth,” will be available on October 14.
