Popular American television star Mary Cosby is grieving the unexpected loss of her 23-year-old son, Robert Cosby Jr. The Real Housewife of Salt Lake City star has long faced criticism due to her controversial marriage to her step-grandfather, Robert Cosby Sr., a church bishop, whom she married after her grandmother's passing and divorced her first husband, Dana Harris. The couple welcomed Robert Jr. in 2002, and their lives finally felt complete.
On February 23, 2026 (ET), Robert Robert Jr., 23, was found unresponsive in Mary's Utah home after the Salt Lake City Police Department received a 911 call and responded to a "possible overdose." He was declared dead by the officials upon arrival. While the initial findings suggest a possible OD case, the medical examiner has not yet determined the exact cause of his death.
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Robert Jr. had also become a known face in reality TV, thanks to his sobriety journey that was documented on his mom's Bravo show, RHOSLC. Like his parents, he was also a conflicted name in the industry, given his long history of legal troubles and substance abuse. Days before his passing, he was released from the Salt Lake County Metro Jail after a two-month prison sentence.
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Robert Jr.'s death has reignited attention to his parents' controversial marriage. Read on to know more about his step-great-grandfather-cum-dad, Robert Cosby Sr.
Who is Mary Cosby's step-grandfather and husband, Robert Cosby Sr.?
Robert Cosby Sr. is a bishop and Mary Cosby's second husband. He became widely known because of his unconventional marriage to Mary, given that he was previously married to Mary's late grandmother, Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby. Robert Sr. played a huge role in leading the Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, originally founded by Rosemary. After her passing in 1998 at the age of 74, her granddaughter, Mary, stepped into a leadership role at the church and became its First Lady following her marriage to Robert Sr.
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It leaves no room for doubt that Robert and Mary's unusual relationship dynamic has raised several eyebrows over the years. According to Mary, her grandmother requested before her death that Robert marry one of her granddaughters to ensure he would be cared for and that the church and family businesses would remain within the family. Mary has said that inheriting the family’s religious and financial empire, including their controversial church, properties, and other assets, would only be hers if she fulfilled Rosemary's strange request.
Inside Mary and Robert Cosby's highly controversial marriage
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Mary and Robert married on September 28, 1998, shortly after Rosemary's death. Mary was previously married to Dana Harris, but finalised her divorce to marry Robert Cosby Sr. just 19 days later, at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. Mary has openly admitted that their controversial arrangement initially felt “weird” and “odd” to both of them, but she says they did it to honour Rosemary's legacy. Despite an age gap of roughly 20 years, not to mention that Robert had previously been her step-grandfather, their marital congress happened specifically to preserve Rosemary's church.
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Image: TLC
Mary’s role at Faith Temple Pentecostal Church came under intense public scrutiny after she inherited leadership of the ministry in 1998. However, what stunned viewers years later on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City was the condition tied to that inheritance. During a November 2020 episode of RHOSLC, Mary acknowledged how strange it sounded and remarked:
"Don't think it wasn't weird, because it was! I did it because I trusted my grandmother. I'm so glad I did it."
Welcoming their son, Robert Robert Jr.
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Over the years, Mary and Robert Jr.'s bond has grown stronger; from friendship, their bond evolved into a "partnership". Despite the unconventional start to their relationship, the couple has been married for over 27 years as of February 2026. They welcomed their only son, Robert Cosby Jr., in 2002, and it gave them both a fresh purpose in life. Speaking to PEOPLE in October 2025, Mary described her husband as her "rock" as they collaboratively supported their child through personal and legal challenges.
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In season 4 of RHOSLC, Robert Cosby Jr. revealed that he had secretly wed in August 2022. Often described as Mary's "troubled son", Robert Jr. has had many run-ins with police officials related to his overdose. In March 2022, he was arrested for substance abuse and later registered in a 30-day rehab program in 2024. In September 2025, he was booked again on charges of assault, criminal trespassing, and violating court orders after an incident at his father-in-law’s home. In November 2025, he was jailed for violating a protective order and assaulting a peace officer. After a two-month prison sentence, Robert was released earlier in February 2026.
Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby's cult allegations
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In the 2026 TLC docuseries The Cult of the Real Housewife, Robert Cosby Sr. and Mary Cosby were confronted with a series of serious allegations tied to their leadership of Faith Temple Pentecostal Church. Former members claimed they were pressured to make large biannual donations, sometimes up to USD 100,000. The series also highlighted accusations of inappropriate relationships, including audio of the late Cameron Williams allegedly admitting to an affair with Mary. Several women accused Robert Sr. of misconduct during counseling. The couple has denied all claims and even filed a USD 6.3 million lawsuit against former church executives, which remains pending.
With Robert Jr. gone, his parents have been left devastated; but as Mary said in her statement, "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God’s promise and in knowing he is finally at peace."
Also Read: Mary Cosby's Son Robert 'Wanted To Die' Earlier, He Was 'Not Breathing' When 911 Was Called
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