Who Is Mary Cosby's Husband, Robert Cosby Sr.? Meet Their Son Amid 'Cult Of The Real Housewife' Buzz

Mary Cosby, a cast member of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (RHOSLC), is currently generating immense buzz online. The television personality is the central subject of a 2026 TLC three-part docuseries titled The Cult of the Real Housewife. Premiered on January 1, 2026, it investigates long-standing allegations of spiritual, financial, and emotional abuse within the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, which Mary leads alongside her husband, Robert Cosby Sr. Here's everything we need to know about him and the controversies the couple faced in the recently released docuseries.

Who is Robert Cosby Sr., Mary Cosby's husband?

Robert Cosby Sr. is a bishop and the second husband of Mary Cosby. He is widely known for their unconventional marriage, as he was previously married to Mary's late grandmother, Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby. Robert is based out of Salt Lake City and leads the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church alongwith his wife, Mary Cosby, until he died in 2006 at the age of 74. Mary's grandmother originally founded the cathedral, and following her death, her 53-year-old granddaughter has served as its first lady since her marriage to Robert Cosby Sr.

How did Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby's unusual union occur?

Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby's unusual relationship began through a controversial arranged marriage centered on religious duty and family inheritance. Mary's grandmother, Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby, requested that her then second-husband, Robert, marry one of her granddaughters to ensure he was cared for and that her church remained in the family. Mary stated that the inheritance of her family's empire, including the churches, homes, and businesses, depended on this union. Notably, Mary admitted that the request was "weird" and "odd" to both of them; however, she kept her word. Even though Robert and Mary shared an age gap of about 20 years, they tied the knot to honour Rosemary's legacy.

Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby's marriage and parenthood

Robert and Mary got married on September 28, 1998, following the death of Mary's grandmother. Mary was previously married to Dana Harris, and she wed Robert Cosby Sr. in September 1998, just 19 days after her divorce from Harris was finalised. She has candidly discussed their evolution from a friendship to a "partnership". Despite the unconventional start to their relationship, the couple has been married for over 27 years as of January 2026. In October 2025, Mary told PEOPLE that Robert is her "rock" as they support their child through personal and legal challenges. Mary and Robert Cosby Sr. have one son together, Robert Cosby Jr., who was born in 2005.

Know about Robert Cosby Jr. and his controversies

While Mary's husband likes to stay out of the spotlight, their son has appeared on her show, RHOSLC, on numerous occasions. In season 4 of the show, Robert Cosby Jr. revealed that he had been secretly married since August 2022. He is currently in legal trouble as he pleaded guilty to eight charges, including assault on a peace officer, criminal trespassing, and multiple counts of violating a protective order in November 2025. These charges stemmed from incidents in late 2025 where Robert Cosby Jr. allegedly attempted to break into his father-in-law's home.

Robert Jr. is currently in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced on February 3, 2026. Notably, his wife, Alexiana Arian Smokoff, filed for divorce on November 24, 2025, just one day before his guilty plea. Besides the legal trouble, Robert Jr. has been open on RHOSLC about his ongoing battle with drug addiction. He previously registered in a 30-day rehab program in 2024 for struggles with substance abuse.

What allegations did Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby face in The Cult Of The Real Housewife?

In the 2026 TLC docuseries, The Cult of the Real Housewife, Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby faced extensive allegations concerning their leadership of the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church. Ex-members alleged the couple pressured congregants into making massive offerings every six months, sometimes demanding up to USD 100,000 within days. A former assistant of the couple, Rosalind Enoch, compared her five years of uncompensated work to a "slave plantation". Mary's cousin, Dan Cosby, alleged that Robert Sr. subjected young men to "military-style" punishments. Mary was accused of using the pulpit to berate and publicly humiliate members, sometimes referring to herself as "God".

Robert and Mary reportedly installed cameras to spy on the congregation and sent messengers to criticise members whose reactions during sermons were unsatisfactory. The couple also faced allegations of engaging in improper relationships with several individuals. The docuseries featured an audio of the late Cameron Williams allegedly confessing to a s**ual affair with Mary Cosby, which he claimed made him resort to therapy. Additionally, multiple women alleged that Robert Sr. engaged in inappropriate behavior or attempted to manipulate them into believing they loved him during counseling sessions.

What are your thoughts on Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby's controversial marriage and the latest allegations against them? Let us know.

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