Fact Check: Did Josie Duggar from TLC's reality show 'Counting On' die of cancer?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Viral social media posts claim that Josie Duggar, the 19th child of reality TV stars Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, died of cancer in 2025.
To provide context, Josie, the youngest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children, grew up in one of America’s largest and most talked-about families. With ten sons and nine daughters, the Duggars rose to fame through their TLC reality shows '19 Kids and Counting' and 'Counting On', which documented their unique lifestyle and values.
While '19 Kids and Counting' aired for 10 seasons before ending in 2015, its spinoff 'Counting On' ended in 2020.
Claim: 'Counting On' star Josie Duggar died of cancer
One viral Facebook post, shared by a fan page called The Duggar Family Fans, read, “R.I.P😭!!!‘Counting On’’ The youngest daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar - Josie Duggar has breathed her last after a long battle with cancer. She passed away at the age of 16. Don't pass by without offering your condolences to the Duggar family🙏!!!”
Posted on October 16, the message sparked immediate reactions. Many users were quick to question its accuracy and criticize those spreading the misinformation.
One commenter responded, “People need to be more respectful and mindful. This is nothing to play around with Josie’s not dead and she’s 19 years old people really need to stop this craziness shame shame. Shame on people." Others called out the hoax directly, with one frustrated comment reading, “Fake news idiots!”
However, not everyone realized the post was false. Some users expressed condolences, with one writing, “I’m so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are going up for your family.”
Fact Check: Josie Duggar is alive!
The claim that Josie Duggar died of cancer is completely false. Josie is alive and well, and there is no evidence to support the story circulating on social media.
A Google search and a review of Josie Duggar’s biography on the official Duggar family website reveal no mention of a cancer diagnosis or death. Additionally, no credible news sources have reported anything suggesting that she has died.
Notably, several of Josie’s older sisters, Joy-Anna Forsyth, Jinger Vuolo, Jill Dillard, and Jessa Seewald, recently posted a video on Instagram showing Josie alive and healthy. The video, uploaded on October 13, features all of the Duggar sisters except Jana, with Josie appearing at the very end. The thumbnail even shows Josie on the far right.
Jinger Vuolo also shared additional photos of Josie from a recent family gathering during 'Share the Arrows', a conservative Christian conference in Texas where Vuolo was a speaker. These posts confirm that Josie is doing well and continuing to be part of family events.
Moreover, Josie, who was born prematurely on December 10, 2009, is 15 years old, not 16, as some false posts have claimed. Her early health struggles were documented on the TLC show '19 Kids and Counting', and she also appeared regularly on the spin-off 'Counting On', which aired until 2020.
Given the Duggar family’s public presence, any serious health issue or death would have been reported by reputable media outlets. No such reports exist. Therefore, it is confirmed that the rumor is false and Josie Duggar is alive.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
