The Roloff family rose to fame in 2006 when they starred in the TLC reality show Little People, Big World. The show followed Matt and Amy Roloff, both little people, and their four children – twin boys Zach and Jeremy, daughter Molly, and youngest son Jacob. While the twins Jeremy and Zach have remained in the spotlight, Molly and Jacob have taken big steps back from the fame and cameras. So what happened to Molly and Jacob Roloff after Little People, Big World?
Molly Roloff
Molly Roloff was born on September 17, 1993 to Matt and Amy Roloff. She is the couple’s only daughter and their third child after twin brothers Zach and Jeremy. She was 12 years old when Little People, Big World first aired on TLC in 2006.
As a child, Molly loved animals and horseback riding. She was often filmed spending time with her best friend Sarah on the show. However, it became clear early on that Molly was not as comfortable being in the spotlight as her brothers Jeremy and Zach.
While Jeremy and Zach embraced the cameras and the perks of reality TV fame, Molly was happier staying out of the drama. She began asking her parents if she could stop filming Little People, Big World during her high school years. Her requests were granted and Molly stepped back from filming when she was 16 years old.
After graduating high school in 2012, Molly began attending Whitman College in Washington. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration in 2016. The following year she married Joel Sylvain, her boyfriend of over 5 years.
In the years since, Molly has lived a quiet, private life away from the show. She currently works as an accountant. She and her husband live on a beautiful farm in Spokane, Washington with their many pets including dogs, cats, goats, and chickens.
Molly maintains a public Instagram account but rarely posts pictures of herself. She will sometimes share photos of her pets and scenic shots from the farm. Her account reveals that she still has a very close bond with her mom Amy and youngest brother Jacob.
Jacob Roloff
Jacob Roloff was born on January 17, 1997 to Matt and Amy Roloff. He is the couple’s fourth and youngest child. Jacob was only 9 years old when Little People, Big World premiered on TLC.
As a young child, Jacob loved spending time outdoors going hunting and fishing with his dad Matt. He was also close with his fraternal twin brothers Zach and Jeremy, often pulling pranks androughhousing with them.
However, as the family’s fame grew, Jacob began to resent filming Little People, Big World. During his teenage years, he started speaking out against the show and reality TV.
“For the sake of ‘the episode’ and ratings I’ve seen a lot of STORYLINES drawn up (loosely) about our lives,” Jacob posted on Instagram in 2015.
He had multiple heated fights with his parents and producers about filming. At age 18, Jacob finally made the decision to leave the show for good. His last episode aired in 2016.
After cutting ties with Little People, Big World, Jacob used his Instagram platform to candidly discuss his struggles with depression and alcohol. He revealed that being on a reality show had caused him significant trauma and issues that therapy was helping him work through.
Over the years, Jacob slowly rebuilt his life away from the show. He channeled his energy into his passions including photography, activism, and farming.
In 2019, Jacob married his long-time girlfriend Isabel Rock. The intimate wedding ceremony was attended by only close friends and family, including Jacob’s mom Amy. Jacob and Isabel currently live a private life together in Bend, Oregon running a small pumpkin patch farm.
Why Molly and Jacob Roloff Left Little People, Big World
Growing up with cameras constantly around took its toll on Molly and Jacob. Both grew frustrated with reality TV fame during their teenage years. However, their reasons for leaving went deeper than just wanting privacy.
Jacob has explained that the family was often pushed by producers to exaggerate drama for storylines. He felt the show gave a distorted view of his family and childhood for the sake of entertainment value.
Molly and Jacob’s Dad Matt also confirmed that they disliked feeling like their lives were scripted for ratings. “There comes a point where you say, ‘You know what? We’ve got to let this kid go out and live his life,'” Matt said after Jacob left the show.
The experience made Molly and Jacob realize they wanted to live quiet lives away from the cameras and be in control of their own stories. Though their paths diverged from the show, they seem to have both found happiness and peace.
Where Are They Now?
Molly Roloff
- Married her longtime boyfriend Joel Silvains in 2017
- Works as an accountant
- Lives on a farm in Washington with her husband and pets
- Rarely makes public appearances or social media posts
- Remains close with mom Amy and youngest brother Jacob
Jacob Roloff
- Married Isabel Rock in 2019
- Runs a small pumpkin farm in Oregon
- Candidly discusses mental health and overcoming childhood trauma on social media
- Pursues passions like photography, activism, and sustainability
- Also remains close to Amy and visits the farm occasionally
The Roloff Family Today
The Roloff family has changed a lot over the past 15+ years since Little People, Big World first aired. However, they have continued finding success and joy both on-camera and off.
Parents Matt and Amy divorced in 2016 after 30 years of marriage. They have both found love again with their significant others Caryn Chandler and Chris Marek who often appear on the show.
Twin brothers Zach and Jeremy branched into their own spinoff shows with their wives Tori and Audrey Roloff. Jacob’s brother Zach took over running the family farm.
Despite tensions in the past, Matt says Jacob and Molly both remain part of the family. “They’re our children and we have good relationships,” he said in 2021. Though times have changed, the Roloff bond still remains strong.
Conclusion
Growing up in the spotlight of Little People, Big World was not the right path for Molly and Jacob Roloff. Both made the decision to step back from reality TV fame to live quiet, private lives away from the cameras. Though this has meant seeing less of them on screen, it seems to have given Molly and Jacob the space they needed to find happiness and heal from the pressures of their unusual childhoods. Their journeys remind us that sometimes peace and privacy hold more value than fame.