Jon Gosselin Has “No Idea” Why He’s Estranged From His Kids

Jon Gosselin got candid on being estranged from most of the children he shares with ex-wife Kate Gosselin, noting that he has had no closure since the falling out.

By Alexandra Bellusci Jul 19, 2023 11:27 PMTags
Watch: Jon Gosselin Calls Custody of Son Colin a "Big Win"

Jon Gosselin hasn't spoken to the majority of his kids in years—but he doesn't know why.

The former Jon & Kate Plus 8 star recently shared that Hannah and Collin—who he won custody of in 2018—are the only children he's in touch with out of the 19-year-old sextuplets. Jon has also been estranged from his and ex-wife Kate Gosselin's eldest kids, twins Mady and Cara, 22, for nine years and was noticeably absent from their college graduations earlier this year.

"I have no access to the kids I'm estranged from," Jon admitted in the "Jon & Kate: Family Circus" episode of Vice TV's Dark Side of the 2000s July 18, per People. "I have no idea why they stopped coming. I have no answers. Like, none. It's the worst."

The family of 10 starred on the TLC reality show, which ran from 2007 to 2017, with Jon and Kate ultimately divorcing during the series in 2009. But after the cameras went down, not only did the exes go their separate ways, but the kids did, too.

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Jon Gosselin and Colleen Conrad's Cutest Pictures

"I'd rather it be like, 'You're an asshole,' or, 'I hate you, and you did this to mom,' or something," Jon continued. "I have nothing. It's like I have no closure."

Meanwhile, Collin also hasn't been in contact with the rest of the Gosselin brood—including siblings Mady and Cara as well as fellow sextuplets Alexis, Aaden, Leah and Joel—in years, with the exception of Hannah.

Collin's theory on why there is a rift among the kids? "I think my mom kind of drove a social barrier between us," he shared in the documentary. "She told them the story one way, and, obviously, I see the story a different way."

But when it comes to possibly reconciling with his siblings in future years, Collin is all for it.

"I really, really hope one day that we can all reconnect and put the show behind us and just be siblings again," the 19-year-old continued, "and take back that time we didn't have."

Instagram / Collin Gosselin

His fellow sextuplet Hannah said she is also in the process of trying to "fix" her relationship with Kate and attempting to at least "talk to each other more."

E! News reached out to Kate and Jon's reps for comment on Collin's latest interview but hasn't heard back.

Although the siblings haven't spoken in recent years, they were all in attendance at Collin and Hannah's high school graduation in June.

"We saw each other, but there was a whole football field between us," Jon told People at the time. "I talked to Hannah and Collin before graduation to make sure that it was gonna be cordial."

And to take a trip down Gosselin memory lane, keep scrolling to see the kids throughout the years.

High School Graduates

Collin and Hannah graduate!

Hannah the Graduate

On to the next chapter!

Camera Ready

Back in October 2007, Jon and Kate Gosselin gathered their eight kids together for a trip to New York City. First stop? A visit to NBC's Today show. 

Happy Holidays

"A precious Christmas memory. My 6 were 6. Christmas Eve 2010 and they're SO excited for Christmas!" Kate Gosselin wrote on Instagram with a throwback photo. "Look at those adorable smiles! #TheyAreMyHeart #My8ReasonsToKeepOnKeepingOn #NoMatterWhat #TrueLoveX8." 

 

Growing Up Gosselin

"I can't believe they're 13!" Kate Gosselin wrote on Instagram when celebrating a major birthday for her sextuplets. 

Greetings From Alaska

Rewind to 2014 when Kate and her children found themselves visiting Alaska. 

Girls Trip

Kate also treated her twin daughters Cara Gosselin and Mady Gosselin to a trip to New York City in 2014, where they stopped by the Manhattan Hotel. 

Back to Class

"This was yesterday! Feels like school never ended...and they're already back! #SeniorYear #EighthGrade #ProudMom," Kate wrote on Instagram in 2018.

 

Girl Power

"My beautiful 'little girls' .... they keep reminding me how many days until they turn 14. Today it was '12 days til we turn 14, Mom.' HOW'S THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!" Kate shared with her followers in 2018. "I told Leah that she's too small to turn 14. She said 'Yeah, true. Are you sure I'm not turning 11 or 12?' I'm positive. I gave birth to you. They'll always be my babies....I love them so very much!" 

Birthday Bash

"Our big celebration of #15 is finally winding down here! We celebrated ALL DAY LONG, beginning with a present at 6:30 am before school! I'm so very thankful for my ‘babies'.... somehow they are 15 already?!" Kate wrote on the special milestone in 2019. "I'm amazed by them each day! I'm so proud of the positive qualities I've seen developing as they edge closer to adulthood." 

Birthday Greetings

"Happy 15th Birthday Hannah, Collin, Alexis, Aaden, Joel and Leah!!!! Wow I can't believe you are 15!!! Time is flying by!!!" Jon Gosselin shared on Instagram when posing with Hannah and Collin Gosselin. "I love you all very much. I wish you the best day ever and I hope you enjoy your birthday celebrations today and this weekend!!! Love always, Dad." 

All Grown-Up

"Happy 18th birthday!" Jon wrote on Instagram in 2022. "Today is your birthday we gonna say it loud. I love you. Love, Dad."