On July 2, 2025, Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth paid a heartfelt tribute to her stillborn daughter, Annabell Elise Forsyth, marking what would have been her sixth birthday. The reality TV star shared an emotional post on Instagram that reflected both love and remembrance for her daughter, who was lost at 20 weeks gestation in July 2019. In the poignant post, Joy-Anna affectionately wished Annabell a “happy heavenly 6th birthday,” including a series of intimate photographs. These images ranged from moments captured during her pregnancy to tender photos in the hospital, including a black-and-white image of Annabell’s tiny feet and a touching picture of Joy-Anna and her husband Austin Forsyth holding their daughter. Joy-Anna also shared a mirror selfie taken during her pregnancy, offering a glimpse into the profound experience of carrying Annabell.
Joy-Anna revealed that Annabell was 7 inches long and weighed just 4.8 ounces at 20 weeks. The actress and mother explained that she and Austin first discovered Annabell’s passing during their 20-week ultrasound and gender reveal appointment—a devastating moment that she described in previous posts as a heartbreaking confirmation when doctors could not detect a heartbeat.
In a comment on the memorial post, Joy-Anna’s sister, Jill Duggar Dillard, expressed the family’s ongoing love and sorrow, writing, “Annabell is so loved and missed.” The post also included the meaning behind Annabell’s name: “Annabell means ‘God has favored me,’ and Elise means ‘God satisfies,’” Joy-Anna shared, poignantly adding that “when our daughter opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the face of Jesus.”
Since Annabell’s passing, Joy-Anna and Austin have continued to build their family. They are parents to three other children: son Gideon, born in February 2018; daughter Evelyn, born in August 2020; and son Gunner, who recently celebrated his second birthday in May 2025. Through her Instagram updates, Joy-Anna has openly discussed the emotional journey of grief and healing, revealing how difficult the loss was but also expressing gratitude for the support from friends, family, and followers. She especially appreciated the presence of close friend Carlin Bates, who supported her during those challenging early days.
Joy-Anna Duggar’s tribute to Annabell serves as a touching reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring love of a family. By sharing her story publicly, she has offered comfort to others who have experienced similar losses and underscored the importance of remembrance and hope amid grief.
