Collin Gosselin has struggled to maintain a connection with his seven siblings since he relocated to live with their father, Jon Gosselin, in late 2018.
“I haven’t spoken with my siblings in about five or six years,” Collin shared with Entertainment Tonight in November 2022. He described the estrangement as “difficult,” noting, “I haven’t reached out, they haven’t reached out to me. I respect their space and time and their feelings, so I’m kind of just waiting for the day they might reach out to me. I don’t want to invade their space; I’d prefer to let them come to me on their own terms.”
Fast forward to two years post the arrival of twins Cara and Mady in 2002, when their mother, Kate Gosselin, welcomed sextuplets — Alexis, Collin, Joel, Hannah, Leah, and Aaden — in 2004. This family found fame with TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, documenting the whirlwind of their lives. Unfortunately, by 2009, the couple parted ways formally.
Despite Kate receiving sole custody of all eight children post-divorce, revelations in February 2018 indicated that Hannah shifted residence to Jon. By December, Jon obtained sole custody of Collin, who had previously been in a residential facility due to behavioral issues two years earlier.
Scroll down to journey through Collin’s fluctuating dynamics with his siblings over the years:
Credit: Courtesy Colleen Conrad/Instagram
Collin Gosselin’s Ups and Downs With His Siblings Through the Years: Why They No Longer Talk
Collin Gosselin‘s relationship with his seven siblings has been strained since he moved in with their father, Jon Gosselin, in late 2018.
“I have not spoken with my siblings in probably five or six years now,” Collin told Entertainment Tonight in November 2022, adding that the estrangement has been “tough” for him to navigate. “I haven’t reached out to them, they haven’t reached out to me. I want to respect their space and their time and respect how they feel about everything, so I’m kind of just waiting for the day that they reach out. … I don’t want to invade their space. I’d rather just let them do it on their own terms.”
Two years after Jon and now-ex Kate Gosselin welcomed twin daughters Cara and Mady in 2002, the former nurse gave birth to sextuplets Alexis, Collin, Joel, Hannah, Leah and Aaden in 2004. After starring on several Discovery Plus specials, the family rose to fame with TLC’s Jon & Kate Plus 8, which chronicled the ups and downs of raising a big family. Kate ultimately filed for divorce in 2009.
Though Kate was awarded full custody of all eight children in the divorce decree, news broke in February 2018 that Hannah was living with Jon. In December of that year, he was also granted sole custody of Collin, who had been placed in a residential program for kids with behavioral problems two years earlier.
Keep scrolling to see all of Collin’s ups and downs with his siblings through the years:
In the wake of allegations of Jon’s infidelity, Kate initiated divorce proceedings in 2009, leading to a rather contentious custody battle over their children. “Parents of multiples have triple the divorce rate,” she quipped during a May 2009 episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. “I was hoping we’d beat that statistic. I’m not as sure about that anymore.” Initially, Kate was awarded full custody of all eight children, including Collin and Hannah.
In a revelation during an appearance on Good Morning America, Kate disclosed that “Collin is in a special school designed for children with behavioral challenges.” Jon swiftly contested his ex-wife’s assertions, although he acknowledged potential tensions among the siblings. “They could get annoyed with [Collin] since he’s intelligent and has his own ways that can be bothersome. However, he’s also very caring,” he explained to ET in November 2016.
In November 2018, Jon enthusiastically shared on Instagram, “Had a great weekend visit with Collin at home!” He included a photo featuring Hannah and Collin. Around this time, Jon pursued custody of Collin amidst conflicts with Kate following his institutionalization.
Collin reflected on his relationship with his sister Hannah, expressing to ET how much he would do for her. “While we don’t chat frequently because she’s busy, I cherish the moments when she reaches out to me. It truly brightens my day,” he expressed. “Hannah plays a significant role in my emotional well-being, helping me even today.”
In November 2022, Collin revealed to ET that he hadn’t had any communication with his siblings — Cara, Mady, Alexis, Joel, Leah, and Aaden — for approximately “five or six years.” He expressed a longing for a reconciliation, stating, “I would love for us to have a meal together and catch up on everything we’ve missed.” Furthermore, he highlighted his willingness to set aside any parental differences for the sake of sibling unity, affirming, “I hold onto the hope of having my kids know their aunts and uncles. I wish to see them doing well and happy.”
In a TikTok video, Collin disclosed that he rarely speaks to his siblings, lamenting, “I see it more as a new chapter, sharing my journey through social media. Sadly, I don’t connect with my siblings, but I truly wish we did.” He highlighted a painful reality, suggesting they were “pitted against each other.” Furthermore, he remarked, “Despite all the fame and money, what about the essence of being children? I will forever cherish them. The tears shed in solitude regarding our lost memories weigh heavily on me. I love you guys.”
