Jessa Duggar, the fifth child of Jim Bob and Michelle, was born on Nov. 4, 1992.

Jessa met Ben through church, and he began courting her in 2013—this traditional approach to romance was a novel concept for many viewers. The couple refrained from discussing their relationships prior to engagement, prompting Jim Bob to explain to People, “Courting involves getting to know each other in a group setting, where both families spend time together and the couple sets goals to determine if they are meant to marry. In dating, couples often pair off alone, which can lead to a more physical relationship.”

Ben proposed to Jessa in August 2014—marking the occasion by holding her hand for the first time. They married on Nov. 1, 2014. At the time of the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting, Jessa was pregnant with their first child, and TLC later aired a special focusing on sexual abuse, featuring Jill and Jessa to educate viewers on the topic. The sisters eventually became stars of their own show, Jill and Jessa: Counting On, which later transitioned into Counting On, showcasing other Duggar siblings as well.

Jessa and Ben welcomed their son Spurgeon on Nov. 5, 2015, followed by son Henry on Feb. 6, 2017, daughter Ivy Jane on May 28, 2019, and daughter Fern in July 2021. In February 2023, Jessa revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage during the 2022 holiday season. She gave birth to son George in December 2023.

In August 2025, Jessa announced the birth of son Edward.