Mary Cosby opened up like never before during her season 5 return as a full-time Housewife on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. The reality star and her son, Robert Cosby Jr., had a heart wrenching conversation about his struggle with substance abuse. Mary’s husband, Robert Cosby Sr., wasn’t included in the breakthrough moment, leading fans to wonder why he was absent from the season.
Life & Style rounds up everything you need to know about Robert Sr. and his marriage with Mary.
What IS RHOSLC’s Robert Cosby Sr.’s Job?
Robert Sr. is the bishop of Faith Temple Pentecostal Church, founded by his late wife and Mary’s grandmother Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby.
Robert Cosby Sr. Was Married to Mary Cosby’s Late Grandmother
Mary’s season 1 introduction during the RHOSLC debut had a major shock factor when she revealed that she was married to her late grandmother’s widowed husband.
“We were kind of, I would say, arranged. It was kind of in my grandma’s will for us to marry,” the Bravo star explained during a confessional at the time.
Robert Sr., who is 20 years Mary’s senior, further explained the scenario during a joint oncamera interview his wife.
“She said, ‘If anything ever happens to me, Bobby, I want you to marry one of my girls because they’ll look out for you,’” Robert Sr. shared. “We’re blessed to this day because of it.”
When Did Mary Cosby and Robert Cosby Sr. Get Married?
Mary and Robert Sr. tied the knot on September 28, 1998, in Chicago.
‘RHOSLC’ Star Mary Cosby and Husband Robert Cosby Sr. Share 1 Kid
The couple expanded their family when they welcomed their son, Robert Jr., in 2005.
During RHOSLC season 4, Mary revealed to viewers that her son secretly tied the knot with his wife, Alexiana, in August 2022. Although the couple hid the news from Mary, she saw them just moments before they said “I do.”
“They both live in my house, but I don’t see them much. And one day like, they were getting dressed. He was rushing to go do something and he was dressed up nice and she was dressed up nice,” Mary explained during a season 4 episode. “But they were running full-blown — running like with all their might, but I didn’t know they were going to go get married.”
The following season, Mary became weary of Robert Jr.’s behavior. While confronting him oncamera with open arms, Robert Jr. revealed he struggled with substance abuse.
“No, I just took half [a Xanax] to just chill me out, and then I took an Adderall to balance out the Xanax,” he told his mom, later admitting, “Sometimes, I feel like, I don’t know, just life is like this chicken without seasoning. But when I get high, it’s like seasoning.”
Mary gave an update on her son after he entered rehab during part 2 of the RHOSLC season 5 reunion in January 2025. While admitting Robet Jr. was doing “good,” Mary also shared that she still “worries” about his well-being.
Robert Cosby Sr. Doesn’t Like Appearing on ‘RHOSLC’
Robert Sr. supported Mary during the RHOSLC season 1 reunion by appearing alongside fellow Housewives husbands.
“[I don’t] like people messing with my wife at all,” he said during the episode.
Mary was happy to return to the show as a “friend of” during season 4 after taking a break the season prior. However, her husband did not join her oncamera.
“He’s good. He’s a man, and they hold grudges,” Mary told Andy Cohen during an October 2024 Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen appearance, sharing that Robert Sr. doesn’t “trust” production. “But once he gets over his grudge-holding, he’ll be better.”
The following January, Andy asked Mary about Robert Sr.’s M.I.A. status during the RHOSLC season 5 reunion.
“Well, obvious reasons. He does not want to be a part of this,” Mary replied. “He’s happy, and he’s good with his life, and he wants nothing interrupted.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
