Reality TV star Mary Cosby married her step-grandfather as part of her grandmother’s dying wish and she’s had a hard time explaining the relationship both on and off screen

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City cast was rocked when the lineup was released as one star in particular had a rather unusual marriage story.

Mary Cosby caused confusion among co-stars and viewers alike when it was revealed that she was married to her step-grandfather.

Things got all the more confusing when it was discovered that the union was actually brought on from her grandmother’s dying wish, despite Mary’s anticipations against the marriage.

Find out more about why the reality TV star married her step-grandfather, with whom she shares a teenage son.

Co-star Confusion

During a meal with co-star Heather Gay, Mary explained the situation after Gay asked her if he was “her blood grandfather”. Cosby responded: “No, that’s incest. He is not my blood at all. I did marry him, I didn’t want to, Heather. I didn’t want to. That’s weird to me, but my [grandmother] really did want me to, so I obeyed her. I trusted every word.”

Mary married her step-grandfather Robert Cosby Sr due to a provision in her grandmother’s will. So that she could inherit her family’s Pentecostal megachurch and the fortune that came along with it, Mary married Robert.

Grandma’s Wish

Cosby continued on to say that her grandmother “wanted her to take her place” in running the church. At the time, Mary was in her 20s while Robert was in his 40s and had been married to Mary’s grandmother for 22 years before she died.

During the second night of the Real Housewives reunion, Mary explained further that her grandmother “felt like she’d robbed Robert of his youth” due to their age gap. Rosemary told Robert: “If something ever happens, I want you to marry one of my girls, because I know that they will be loyal to you and treat you good like you treated me.”

Finding Answers

Mary kept faith in her grandmother, despite her reluctance: “I trusted every word. If she managed to bring this church this far, then she had to be right, and look at my life. It took us two years to actually marry.”

She confessed that she “had to be certain” and “started to pray” and “seek high help”. According to the Real Housewife, she began to “feel at peace with it,” so she “married him and chose what the man upstairs told her to do”.

On-screen Feuds

She originally addressed the unusual arrangement in the first episode of the series, but of course the drama was yet to unfold. Her marriage quickly became a part of the storyline and Mary came under fire from fellow housewife Jen Shah.

An altercation between Mary and her co-star Jen caused a frosty atmosphere between the women and Jen even called Mary a “grandpa f***er” while at a party. Co-star Meredith also spoke about the incident: “When Jen said those words at the 1920s party I was cringing inside. I know what’s going through Mary’s head right now. She’s thinking: ‘That’s what they all think about me,’ and that’s 100% not true.”

Mary told her husband about the outburst and got upset at the comment Jen made about her marriage. She told Robert: “I don’t need to explain to nobody – everyone knows our situation. You’re not my blood grandfather.”

Robert told his wife that it was “a whole bunch of stinking jealousy” and that he “didn’t care what they think,” but Mary was clearly still bothered. A tearful Mary said: “I think that’s why they’re doing it, because she’s telling them all: ‘Oh, she married her [grandfather], trying to make me a mockery.”