Jon Gosselin Says He Hasn't Seen His Eldest Daughters In 13 Years, Wouldn't Recognize Them Today
Jon Gosselin says he probably would not be able to pick out his twin daughters if he saw them in public after not having any contact for 13 years.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleJon Gosselin is opening up about the painful estrangement from his eldest daughters, twins Madelyn "Mady” Gosselin and Cara Gosselin, admitting that he might not even recognize them if he crossed paths with them in public. The former Jon & Kate Plus 8 star says he has had no contact with the 26-year-olds for approximately 13 years and knows very little about their lives today.
Jon Gosselin says 13 years of estrangement have 'eaten my soul away'
During the Tuesday, November 3, 2026, episode of the Legally Goff podcast, Jon reflected on how much time has passed since he last saw his daughters. He described them as "strangers" and admitted that the distance has taken a significant emotional toll on him. The former reality star, 49, shared:
“I haven’t seen Mady and Cara in, like, forever. I wouldn’t be able to pick them out on the street. I have pictures of them, but I still wouldn’t be able to pick them out on the street. That’s how much I haven’t seen them.”
Jon said he believes he was gradually cut out of his daughters' lives after his separation from their mother, Kate Gosselin. He described the experience as parental alienation, which he characterized as a prolonged period of silence and a sudden loss of contact with children he had once been actively involved in raising. He said:
"Alienation [as in] silence. I’ve never heard their voice. One day, I was an active, everyday parent … and I was just cut out of their lives."
The former reality TV personality added that he does not necessarily expect his daughters to agree with him or even have positive things to say about him. What he wants, he explained, is some form of communication.
“I don’t care if they call me an asshole or whatever. I just want some kind of response. Just text me or message me. At least I’ll know,” Jon said, adding that the uncertainty has been difficult to live with. He continued by saying, "Walking around for 13 years not knowing has pretty much eaten my soul away."
Jon also spoke about the milestones he missed while his daughters were growing up. He said he was not present for their graduations and proms and has no idea about the details of their adult lives, including whether they are dating or driving. He also admitted that he sometimes has nightmares about what Mady and Cara might believe about him after years of being apart.
Jon Gosselin opens up about estrangement from his other children
Jon shares eight children with his ex-wife Kate. Along with twins Mady and Cara, the former couple are parents to sextuplets Collin, Hannah, Aaden, Leah, Joel and Alexis, all 22. His relationship with the younger children has also been complicated. Jon said he remains in contact with Collin and Hannah but is estranged from the other four sextuplets.
During the podcast, he recalled that 2018 was the last time he saw Joel, Aaden, Alexis and Leah regularly. He later saw them during a visitation connected to Collin, which he described as heartbreaking, but said he has not seen them since they moved away.
Jon suggested that his estranged children may have formed their opinions about him based on what they heard growing up and the public portrayal of their family on TLC. He also speculated that Kate may have told the children he didn't want a relationship with them, and that they trusted her. He claimed:
“They, I guess, believe the narrative of TLC that I’m a s***bag, and that I don’t want to see them."
Since the release of Collin’s memoir, In the Shadow of Eight, in October 2026, the Gosselin family’s long-standing tensions have heated up once again in a highly publicized affair. In the book, Collin discusses his childhood and his relationship with Kate, including allegations of physical and emotional abuse. Kate has denied his accusations.
Collin's father, too, has made an emotional appeal to his estranged children. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight last month, Jon said, "I hope you understand that I still love you. I hope one day you reach out to me."
Mady and Cara have largely stayed out of the public discussion surrounding their parents' split and the family's estrangement.
Image courtesy: TLC, Instagram
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