NEED TO KNOW
Ruby Franke’s ex-husband, Kevin Franke, is engaged.
Kevin, 46, announced the news on Facebook, sharing photos of himself and fiancée Becca Bevan. “A lot has transpired since I’ve been on Facebook several months ago. I am thrilled to announce my engagement to a wonderful and amazing woman, Becca Bevan,” he wrote.
Kevin then revealed that the pair plan to tie the knot next month.
“We are planning a simple wedding November 14 here in Springville, [Utah], with family,” he continued. “I just wanted to share my happy news with all of you, my friends.”
Kevin also took a moment to reflect on finding love and happiness again following his family’s difficult chapter.
“Redemption is a real thing,” he wrote. “There were moments during the past three years when I didn’t think I would ever feel happiness or the warm embrace of a loving partner again. I’m so grateful for grace, resilience, a loving God who gives me hope, and family and friends that buoyed me when I couldn’t stand on my own.”
Added Kevin: “Here’s to new beginnings and fresh starts!”
Moms of Truth/ Instagram
Kevin’s ex-wife Ruby, 43, is currently in prison in Utah after pleading guilty to four counts of aggravated child abuse. In February 2024, she was sentenced to between four and 60 years in prison.
Ruby, with whom Kevin shares six kids, was a vlogger who once had a popular YouTube channel, 8 Passengers, which documented her family’s daily life. However, the channel and Ruby came under intense scrutiny over the years due to the strict parenting philosophy she used with her kids.
On Aug. 30, 2023, Utah’s Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety Department announced the arrest of Ruby and ex-business partner Jodi Hildebrandt after police were notified earlier that day that a juvenile — described as appearing “emaciated” with “open wounds and duct tape around the extremities” — went to a neighbor’s house asking for food and water.
Following a subsequent search of the Franke home, officers found “another juvenile in a similar physical condition of malnourishment.”
Moms of Truth/ Instagram
Kevin and Ruby, who married in 2000, began living separately in September 2022. He filed for divorce in November 2023, three months after Ruby’s arrest. The divorce was finalized in March 2025, and Kevin was awarded full custody of the pair’s four minor children.
Months before concluding the divorce process, Kevin spoke to PEOPLE about his hopes of dating again. “Well, of course, it’s something I think about,” he said in February. “But I’m a man of my honor, and I’m still technically married. And so I’m holding off until the divorce is finalized.”
“When the time’s right, that’s something I think that I’ll look forward to pursuing,” he added.
In addition to his own nuptials to Bevan, Kevin will also be celebrating the weddings of two of his children. Son Chad Franke announced his engagement to Kam Anderson on Instagram on June 15.
“Best day I’ve ever had🫶,” Chad, 20, wrote alongside a clip of himself getting down on one knee to pop the question to Anderson by a lake.
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Shari Franke/Instagram
Last December, Kevin’s daughter Shari Franke revealed her engagement in a post on Instagram, while announcing her intention to no longer share details about her private life.
Alongside a photo of her hand adorned with a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring, Shari, 22, wrote: “I’m excited to share that I’m engaged! However, for me, this is the end of me sharing my private life. I’ve had my voice and agency taken for so long, and now, I’m putting my foot down. I’m not going to talk about my wedding, future husband, or future kids.”
“Please respect my privacy and the privacy of my future family, and don’t speculate or pry,” she added. “This is my wish, and my gift to my family.”
