Who Is Carmela Mendez? All About Jeremiah Raber’s Ex-Wife Amid ‘Breaking Amish’ Star’s Hospitalisation

Breaking Amish star Jeremiah Raber is recovering after a serious medical emergency that required hospitalization. The reality star shared a selfie from his hospital bed on TikTok, revealing that his blood sugar had dangerously spiked to 993 and that doctors were monitoring him for possible liver failure. On January 2, he updated fans on his condition, confirming his recovery and expected discharge. Following the news, many fans were curious about his ex-wife, Carmela Mendez, and the story behind their split.

Who is Carmela Mendez?

Carmela Mendez married Jeremiah Raber in 2016, with their wedding featured on TLC’s Return to Amish. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, she grew up in a strict religious family and often compared her upbringing to the Amish lifestyle Jeremiah had embraced. Carmela has three children from a previous relationship. While little is publicly known about her professional life, her tumultuous relationship with Jeremiah became a major storyline on the show, marked by repeated conflicts both on and off camera.

Why did they divorce?

Their marriage made headlines in April 2017 when Carmela filed domestic violence charges against Jeremiah, alleging years of abuse. Jeremiah denied the allegations, and the charges were later dropped in July 2018 after he completed a pretrial diversion program. Carmela also accused him of manipulation on social media. The couple reconciled briefly but tensions resurfaced, and in March 2022, Carmela filed for a restraining order, alleging threats from Jeremiah. The order expired in March 2023, with Jeremiah insisting that the claims referred to past incidents and that he had changed.

Are they still together?

No, Jeremiah confirmed in May 2022 that their relationship was “officially done.” Footage from Return to Amish suggested a previous attempt at reconciliation and discussions of having a child, but the couple ultimately parted ways. Jeremiah, who was previously married to Naomi Stutzman from 2005 to 2011, currently lives alone and travels in a camper van.

Jeremiah’s latest hospitalization appears linked to his ongoing diabetes complications, following previous health scares, including a 2024 hospitalization for diabetic ketoacidosis and heart issues. Fans have been reassured that he is improving and expected to return home soon.