14 DAY TRIAL // Jessa Duggar, one of the two most famous daughters of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stars of the now-defunct reality series 19 Kids and Counting, is so desperate for cash that she’s asking fans for donations and gift cards, in the name of her unborn baby with husband Ben Seewald.
She is not the first Duggar to do that since TLC canceled the show after the child molestation scandal involving her brother Josh Duggar: sister Jill and cousin Amy did the same. They too were forced to backtrack amid public outcry.
Jessa wants your money and gift cards
In one of the more recent posts on the family’s blog, Jessa and husband Ben, who are now expecting their first child, talk about his plans for the future. In a note that has since been deleted, The Ashley’s Reality Roundup notes, they also asked for money from fans.
“For readers who have asked about sending gift cards to the Seewalds, Jessa told us that her favorite stores are Target and Walmart,” the post said. It also included an address where the fans could send them the gift cards, or actual cash if they so desired.
As per the same report, the backlash was instantaneous and very harsh: while the family still has many supporters despite Josh’s now-soiled reputation (he’s also been exposed as a cheater in this summer’s Ashley Madison Leak), they didn’t think it would be a good idea for Jessa and husband to go asking for money, solely on the basis that their reality show had been canceled.
The entire Duggar family is believed to have made an estimated $3.5 to $5 million (€3.12 to €4.46 million) with TLC, but they also have many side projects that are profitable as well, including books and motivational speeches and appearances.
Even with the show canceled for good, they’re still well off to not need donations to lead a comfortable life.
Shameless money grabs, a Duggar habit
As noted above, Jessa is not the first Duggar to make shameless money grabs and then be forced to backtrack when faced with harsh criticism online. Her sister Jill and husband Derick Dillard were recently accused of using money they received as donations for their ministry to fund a “family vacation.”
Amy Duggar, the girls’ cousin, was also criticized when she asked fans to send her gifts and gift cards, on the occasion of her wedding to Dillon King. She too was forced to take the note down.