Former ‘Counting On’ Star Jill Dillard Reveals Her Formerly Estranged Mom Michelle Duggar Is Caring For Her Following Her Gallbladder Surgery

“Mama is here, Jilly… at least, until Jim Bob starts feeling a little frisky.”

Jill Dillard has apparently made amends with her somewhat-estranged mother, Michelle Duggar.

The former Counting On star revealed over the weekend that she had to undergo gallbladder removal surgery, less than six weeks after she gave birth to her third son, Freddy. Jill stated that her husband, Derick Dillard, has been taking care of her post-surgery, along with another surprising caretaker: Jill’s mom Michelle.

Jill wrote on Instagram that she had to have her gallbladder removed after having “a horrible bout of pain earlier this week.”

“I am so thankful for good medical care & so many other little blessings along the way…help from family and friends,” she wrote.

In the comment section, Jill revealed that Michelle has been by her side to nurse her back to health, a revelation that surprised many fans.

“Mama got [a heating pad] out for me last night!” Jill wrote to a fan in the comment section who was suggesting tips for recovery. 

“My mama and Derick have been taking me for walks,” she told another person. 

As The Ashley has previously reported, Jill and Derick have been at odds with Jill’s father, Jim Bob Duggar, for several years now. Due to the feud with her father (and Jill confronting things in therapy that happened during her childhood) Jill’s relationship with Michelle has suffered. Last month, Michelle was noticeably absent from Jill’s baby shower, which was held at her cousin Amy Duggar‘s home. Jill’s sister Jessa Seewald later defended Michelle and the other Duggar sisters on Instagram, stating that everyone was just too busy to go to Jill’s shower.

“I couldn’t go. Jim Bob says I could catch heathenism by walking in Amy’s house!” 

“My mom and all of us sisters + SIL love [Jill] dearly and she knows that!” Jessa wrote.

Michelle and Jim Bob did acknowledge their feud with Jill and Derick in a statement issued to People in 2020. 

“Every family has differences of opinion and perspective at times, but families work things out. We all love Jill, Derick, and their boys very much. It is our prayer that our relationship is healed and fully restored quickly!” they stated.

One year later, Jill stated that the relationship between her and her family had not improved much.

Because of this, fans were surprised to hear that Michelle was caring for Jill in her time of need.

“I’m so glad your momma was there for you!” one person wrote in the comment section of Jill’s post. “The media makes it appear otherwise.”

Michelle can likely relate to Jill’s situation. Back in 2009– when Michelle was pregnant with her 19th child, Josie— she was rushed to the hospital for gallstones. Days later, it was discovered that Michelle was suffering from preeclampsia, forcing her to deliver Josie three months earlier than her due date. Several months after giving birth to Josie, Michelle had to have her gallbladder out. (Naturally, this was all filmed for the family’s show at the time, 19 Kids and Counting.) 

RELATED STORY: It’s a Boy! Former ‘Counting On’ Stars Jill & Derick Dillard Welcome Third Son

(Photos: Instagram; TLC)

7 Responses


  1. I’m so happy for you . I just wish me and my family where .But I’m the back sheep of the family .but I do try to reach out to them but I can not do all the work.so keep work on your friendship with your family.


  2. I has 2 kids via C-section and many years later had my gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery. I can’t imagine trying to recover from both at the same time.


  3. I wonder if Michelle got the creepy crawlies walking into that house…my goodness, there could have been a (gasp!) beer in the fridge!! She probably snuck holy water in the house plants to cure Jill of her devilish ways. Probably stole Jill’s nose ring to destroy. Probably ASMR whispered to the boys all through the night that they are in a house full-o-sin.


    1. Holly water! Are you out of your mind? Holly water is a Catholic thing. Catholics are the Antichrist, when it comes to what the Duggar’s cult believes


  4. Gallbladder pain is no joke, glad she’s on the mend! Got mine out as an emergency in April 2020, as you can imagine, it was not easy to get done!

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