Discovery Channel's "Alaskan Bush People" Billy Brown wrote in his memoir that he married Ami Brown after a brief meeting, saying it was love at first sight. He failed to mention in his book that Ami was only 15 years old at that time. Now married for more than 36 years, Ami, 53, is speaking up about being a child bride and says she has no regrets marrying so young.
"Not one," Ami told Radar Online. "I was so blessed to be able to marry Billy at a young age, and we have been together for 36 years - 36 and a half now - and I would not change one instance at all."
"I do want to say that Billy is the most wonderful, caring, compassionate, considerate husband that any woman could be given," she added.
According to their marriage certificate obtained by the entertainment news site, Billy and Ami tied the knot on June 16, 1979 in Texas. Billy was 26 at that time.
Hearing about Billy's family puts so much into perspective-- no wonder his loving family is his pride and joy pic.twitter.com/jX24eKoBLF
— Alaskan Bush People (@AlaskanBushPPL) December 3, 2015
"She was the beautiful young woman I had ever met," Billy, 63, wrote in his book entitled "One Wave At a Time, Alaskan Bush People."
Although their family is currently facing several legal troubles due to falsification of their identities in government records, Billy and Ami's marriage was a valid and legal one. In 1970s Texas, a woman can wed as young as 14 years old, as long as she has parental consent.
Shortly after their marriage, Ami gave birth to their son Matthew, making her the original teen mom. The couple went on to have seven children together.
"First off, we're friends and we like the same things. Our desires are the same. We get along. It's just you have to trust, you have to honor each other, you have to build a strong relationship," she said, adding that she and Billy never quarrel.
"The world can be hard and pressing sometimes, but instead of it pushing you away from each other, you kind of need to lean on each other," she explained. "That's what you are there for: to hold each other up."
RT if you're watching the premiere of #AlaskanBushPeople staring NOW on @Discovery pic.twitter.com/uPIJISrmHE — Alaskan Bush People (@AlaskanBushPPL) November 12, 2015
It seems that their relationship will be tested now more than ever, because aside from their legal battles, Ami and Billy are reported to be battling serious injuries due to their rugged lifestyle.
"American Bush People" airs every Wednesday, 9 p.m. on Discovery.
