Jill Duggar and husband Derick reunite with dad Jim Bob at Christmas dinner after 5 years of estrangement

TONTITOWN, ARKANSAS: It’s the time for Christmas, and mending the bridges that were broken for a long.

By the looks of it, the festival spirit has rubbed off in the right way for Jim Bob and his estranged daughter Jill Duggar as they were recently spotted speaking again after five years of feuding.

As the ‘19 Kids and Counting’ star James Duggar posted photographs from his family’s Christmas celebration, eagle-eyed fans noticed Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard mingling with the rest of the Duggars at their party and especially speaking with patriarch Jim Bob. Soon, the fans, unable to contain their joy, took to the comments section of the post to share their observation.

Did Jill Duggar and Derick reconcile with Jim Bob?

Soon after the images made their way onto the Internet, fans started speculating about the equation among the family members. 

In one of the images shared by James Duggar, Jim Bob could be seen engaged in a conversation with his previously estranged daughter Jill and her husband Derick Dillard. 

The family gathered in the living room of Jim Bob’s home to celebrate Christmas. According to The Mirror, Derrick was sitting beside Jim Bob, while Jill was sitting beside her husband, holding a coffee mug. 

Internet overjoyed at the much sought-after reunion between father and daughter

The netizens expressed their happiness over the fact that Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard were seen speaking with her father Jim Bob during the Christmas celebrations. Many of the social media users pointed out that the beloved stars mending the fences as they were seen chatting. 

One of the social media users said on Instagram, "I saw Jill and Derrick there. 😢❤️."

"Healing is a process," said someone else. 

Another fan chimed in, "So glad to see Jill and Derrick there!🥰."

"🙌 Jill and Derick," said someone else. 

A social media user mused, "Nice to see that family is working on healing together!!!"

"I love that you didn’t do a reel so we could actually see the pictures! Love seeing Jill and Derek talking to your Dad!" chimed in one person, while another fan asked, "Is that Jill and Derrik talking to her Dad?"

"It was nice to see Jill & Derrick there," added someone else. 

Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard have been estranged from Jim Bob for 5 years

Jim Bob’s feud with his daughter Jill has been going on for at least the last five years. Per The Mirror, Derrick Dillard revealed in 2019 that he and Jill were not allowed in the Duggar family’s home in Arkansas unless they had permission from Jim Bob. 

He shared, "Jill even had to ask JB permission to go over to the house to help her sister when she was in labor because her sister wanted her help, but Jill couldn't provide the assistance until we got it cleared with JB," referencing Jill helping her sister Jessa in her labor. 

Their feud accelerated when the pair claimed Jim Bob did not allegedly give them the money they earned from starring in ‘19 Kids and Counting’ and its spinoff ‘Counting On’.

In 2023, the pair further criticized Jim Bob in the documentary ‘Shiny Happy People’.

Referencing their child’s birth, Jill shared, “After Israel’s birth, we asked TLC to pay us enough just to cover what our out-of-pocket costs were for health insurance for Israel’s birth," before Derick added, “They said they paid the family. Paid the family means we don’t get anything at that point. They said ‘Well, we paid your dad so take it up with him.'"

Jill continued in the line of their previous accusations, “I never received any payout. No check. No cash. Nothing. For seven and a half years of my adult life, I was never paid.”

Nevertheless, Jim Bob and his wife Michelle later responded in a statement to the claim, saying, "We love all of our children very much. As with any family, few things are more painful than conflicts or problems among those you love.”

“We’ve aimed to deal honorably with our children, our finances, and our other endeavors,” they continued, before adding, “While imperfect, it is our intent and desire to live a life that honors Christ.”

“We do not believe the best way to resolve conflicts, facilitate forgiveness and reconciliation, or to communicate through difficulties is through the media or in a public forum so we will not comment. As the future unfolds, we will continue to love our family, pray for them, and enjoy every moment gifted to us to be parents and grandparents,” they added in the statement. 

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.