Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of former family vlogger Ruby Franke, has made headlines recently with her new memoir, where she reveals the painful experiences she endured growing up. After years in the public eye through the family’s popular YouTube channel, “8Passengers,” Shari is now focused on rebuilding her life and speaking out against harmful practices in family vlogging.
Ruby and her husband, Kevin, began sharing their family’s life online in 2015, quickly amassing over 2 million subscribers. However, as time went on, viewers raised concerns about Ruby’s strict parenting style, which many considered abusive. Ruby later teamed up with therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, continuing to promote her stringent parenting approach through a podcast.
In August 2023, Ruby and Jodi were arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse after Shari’s younger brother, Russell, managed to escape their home and ask a neighbor for help. Authorities discovered two of Ruby’s children in a distressing condition. In February 2024, both women were sentenced to prison for their actions.
Shari published her memoir, “The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom,” in January 2025. She hopes to share her truth and highlight the dangers associated with publicly displaying families online. “I’ve seen the harm that comes from having your life broadcast on the internet,” Shari stated.
In her memoir, Shari reveals that the abuse she and her siblings faced began long before Ruby’s partnership with Jodi. She recounts moments where Ruby filmed them during private times, leading Shari to feel increasingly uncomfortable.
Despite Ruby disowning her after Shari left for college, Shari remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of her younger siblings. She even contacted state services to express her concerns, although her pleas did not lead to immediate action.
Following her mother’s arrest, Shari expressed relief on social media, saying she was thankful for the attention justice was receiving after years of trying to alert authorities about the abuse. She gathered evidence online to showcase Ruby’s concerning behavior over the years.
Unfortunately, Ruby’s disownment of Shari has left the two of them estranged. As of January 2025, Shari has no desire to reconnect, feeling that Ruby lacks genuine remorse for her actions. Shari shared, “I’m still angry about what she did, but I’m living my life and not letting her take any more from me.”
Currently, Shari is pursuing a political science degree at Brigham Young University, aiming to advocate against family vlogging’s ethical issues. She has begun a new chapter in her personal life, having recently gotten engaged, and is focused on healing from her past while ensuring her siblings remain safe from potential harm.
