How Do the Duggars Know the Bates? Breaking Down Family Connection From Reality TV to Romance Rumors
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Gil and Kelly Jo BatesDuggar Fam IG, Bates Fam IG
Friends and family members of the famous Bates family are hoping Erin Bates pulls through after experiencing septic shock following childbirth — and that includes the Duggars.
The Duggar and Bates families go back nearly 30 years, after Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar met Gil and Kelly Bates in 1997. The families are both members of the conservative evangelical Independent Baptists faith, which emphasizes the founding principals of Christian Fundamentalism.
The world met the Duggars in 2008 after the debut of their hit reality show 19 Kids and Counting (originally titled 17 Kids and Counting), while fans were introduced to the Bates family in 2015 thanks to their own show, Bringing Up Bates.
The two families are now seemingly coming together after Erin’s husband, Chad Paine, announced the birth of their seventh child while simultaneously revealing Erin had suffered a serious childbirth complication.
“After a long and emotional labor, our miracle arrived. Henry Blythe was born August 25th,” he wrote via Instagram on August 27, 2025. “Henry is doing wonderful, but we would so appreciate your prayers for Erin as she continues to recover from some complications. We thank the Lord for carrying us through and for the gift of this precious boy.”
Shortly after, Jinger Duggar, who has three children of her own, sent her well-wishes.
“Chad, we are upholding you all in prayer daily 🙏🏻,” she wrote. Jessa and Jill Duggar also shared that they were holding the family up in prayer, writing “Praying for you all,” and, “Praying for y’all!!” respectively.
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
Keep scrolling to learn more about the relationship between the Duggar and Bates families.
