John-David Duggar (born January 12, 1990) is the third child and second son of Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar.
He is the brother of Joshua Duggar, Jana Wissmann (twin sister), Jill Dillard, Jessa Seewald, Jinger Vuolo, Joseph Duggar, Josiah Duggar, Joy-Anna Forsyth, Jedidiah Duggar, Jeremiah Duggar, Jason Duggar, James Duggar, Justin Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Johannah Duggar, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn-Grace Duggar, and Josie Duggar.
He is the husband of Abbie Duggar and the father of their children, Grace and Charlie.
Early life[]
John-David Duggar was born on January 12, 1990, in Arkansas, to Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar. He was the couple's third child, being born shortly after his twin sister, Jana, and they went on to have sixteen more children after them.
John-David and his twin sister Jana were seen by their parents as a blessing from God in response to their decision to eschew birth control. Feeling God was blessing them for making the right decision, the couple determined to leave the number of children they had up to God.
Along with his siblings, John-David was homeschooled growing up. As he grew older, he was given the responsibility of helping younger siblings with their schoolwork, in addition to doing his own. John-David took the test for his GED at sixteen years old in 2006.
Like most children, John-David was assigned chores growing up, which the family called "jurisdictions". In 2003, one of John-David's jurisdictions was to plan and prepare dinner each night along with his twin sister Jana and older brother Joshua. "They like to do that because they get to choose the menus!" John-David's mother, Michelle, had to say of this jurisdiction.
By 2001, John-David's parents had implemented a buddy system, where each older child was paired with a younger child to take care of. Typical tasks for an older buddy included dressing, bathing, and feeding their younger buddies. It is unknown who his original younger buddy was. By 2009, the family had switched from individual buddies to buddy teams, with each team being led by one of the oldest four daughters. When this switch happened, John-David was relieved of his duties as an older buddy.
John-David began taking piano lessons from Ruth Anita Anderson, who he and his siblings referred to as "Nana", as a young child. He also took violin lessons.
Personal life[]
Courtship[]
On June 26, 2018, John-David announced that he was courting Abbie Burnett. On May 6, 2018, they met when John-David attended Abbie's church, Ada First Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma, where his parents were speaking and had a book signing. They both grew up going to the same homeschool conferences, but didn't meet until then. They immediately started texting each other and didn't stop. On May 14, 2018, John-David asked Abbie to officially court him. Their courtship announcement was featured on the Counting On episode "Josiah and Lauren's Prank-Less Wedding?".
"So, I reconsidered the whole 'bachelor 'til the rapture' thing. We fell in love very quickly, and it's been a wonderful journey thus far!"
Engagement[]
On July 25, 2018, John-David and Abbie announced that they were engaged. On July 16, 2018, they got engaged at the Gillespie County Airport hangar in Fredericksburg, Texas. John-David wanted to share his love of airplanes and proposed in an old-fashioned airplane hangar. They flew to the Airport Diner with John-David's twin sister Jana and Abbie's younger sister Maggie. After they finished eating, he proposed to her at the airplane hangar connected to the diner. Their engagement was featured on the Counting On episode "Love is in the Air".
"Looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together!"
Marriage[]
On November 3, 2018, John-David married Abbie Grace Burnett at Ada First Baptist Church in Ada, Oklahoma. The wedding had around 1,000 guests. The couple shared their first kiss at the altar. The wedding was officiated by Abbie's father John Burnett and Bob Gray. John's best man was his brother Joseph. His groomsmen were his brother Josh, his brother-in-law Austin, Abbie's brother Benjamin, and three unknown friends. The ring bearers were John's nephews Marcus and Israel and Abbie's nephew Evan. Abbie's matron of honor was her sister Hannah. Her bridesmaids were her sisters Charity, Maggie, and Carinna, John's twin sister Jana, and two unknown friends. The flower girls were John's sister Jordyn, John's niece Meredith, and an unknown girl. The usher was John's brother Justin. John's brother Josiah and John's sister-in-law Lauren were singers in the wedding. The wedding reception was held at an airplane hangar. Their wedding was featured on the Counting On episodes "John-David and Abbie's Wedding" and "A Bachelor No More".
For their honeymoon, John-David and Abbie went to an undisclosed beach location. In February 2019, they took a bigger trip/second honeymoon to Finland. Their honeymoon was featured on the Counting On episode "Count Your Blessings".
Fatherhood[]
On August 1, 2019, John-David and Abbie announced that they were expecting their first child, due 2020. The due date was later revealed to be January 2020. On August 20, 2019, they revealed that they were expecting a girl. On January 9, 2020, John-David and Abbie announced that their daughter, Grace Annette, was born at 3:21 a.m. on January 7, 2020, in Arkansas. She weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces, and was 20 ¾ inches long. Her birth was featured on the Counting On episode "Meet Gracie Duggar".
On May 8, 2022, John-David and Abbie announced that they were expecting their second child, a boy, due late Summer 2022. On October 1, 2022, John-David and Abbie announced that their son, Charlie, was born in September 2022, in Arkansas.
Career[]
Missionary work[]
John-David and his family go on a yearly mission trip to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras the week after Christmas.
In 2010, John-David and his twin sister Jana went on a mission trip to Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. On this trip, they mostly worked with children, teaching them about the Bible.
In 2014, John-David joined family friends Lawson and Nathan Bates on a mission trip to the Philippines, where they worked with the ministry Blessing International to provide medical services for those who were affected by a recent storm.
John-David and Abbie go to the Philippines on mission trips to give people medical intervention.
Towing[]
John-David previously ran his own business, Duggar Towing in Springdale, Arkansas. This business is no longer in operation.
Politics[]
In 2010, John-David ran for Alderman in Tontitown, Arkansas. He ultimately lost this race. In 2012, he again lost the race for Alderman.
First responder[]
In 2010, John-David began working as a Volunteer Firefighter and an Emergency Medical Responder with the Fire Department in Springdale, Arkansas.
On February 24, 2011, John-David utilized his skills as a first responder to aid in the rescue efforts after a massive tornado destroyed the town of Joplin, Missouri.
Law enforcement[]
In 2014, John-David was sworn in as Constable of Washington County, Arkansas. He served in this position until 2022, when he lost his election.
Pilot[]
John-David is a Commercial Pilot and a Certified Flight Instructor. He received his Commercial Pilot's license on November 14, 2021.
Disaster relief[]
John-David is the Director of Business for MEDIC Corps, helping people around the world hit by natural disasters. He works alongside Abbie, some of his siblings, some of his in-laws, and some of the Bates brothers.
Environmental services[]
John-David is the CEO of Natural State Environmental Services in Arkansas.
Wedding involvement[]
John was the best man at his brother Josh's wedding to Anna Keller on September 26, 2008.
He was a groomsman at his parents Jim Bob and Michelle's vow renewal ceremony in 2009.
He was a singer and violinist at his family friend Priscilla Keller's wedding to David Waller on February 4, 2012.
He was a groomsman at his family friend Zach Bates's wedding to Whitney Perkins on December 14, 2013.
He was a groomsman at his sister Jill's wedding to Derick Dillard on June 21, 2014.
He was a groomsman at his sister Jinger's wedding to Jeremy Vuolo on November 5, 2016.
He was a groomsman at his sister Joy's wedding to Austin Forsyth on May 26, 2017.
He was a groomsman at his brother Joseph's wedding to Kendra Caldwell on September 8, 2017.
He was a groomsman at his brother Justin's wedding to Claire Spivey on February 26, 2021.
He was a groomsman at his family friend Nathan Bates's wedding to Esther Keyes on October 22, 2021.