“Breaking Amish” star Jeremiah Raber is recovering after a major health crisis. In late December, he was hospitalized with dangerously high blood sugar. He also faced possible liver failure. Raber shared updates from his hospital bed on TikTok. On January 2, he said he was improving and hoped to go home soon.
This serious news has fans concerned. Many are also searching for details about his personal life. This includes questions about his ex-wife, Carmela Mendez.
Who is Carmela Mendez?
Carmela Mendez is Jeremiah Raber’s ex-wife. She is originally from Vancouver, Washington. The couple married in 2016. Their wedding was shown on the TLC show Return to Amish.
On the show, Carmela shared about her own background. She said she grew up in a very strict religious family. She often compared her childhood to the Amish lifestyle.
Before marrying Jeremiah, Carmela was a mother. She has three children from a previous relationship. Not much is known publicly about her job or career.
Her relationship with Jeremiah was a main storyline on the show. It was known for being very turbulent and full of conflict.
Why did they get divorced?
Jeremiah and Carmela’s marriage faced public trouble quickly. In April 2017, Jeremiah was arrested. The charge was domestic violence, filed by Carmela.
She claimed in court papers that this violence had happened for years. The charges were dropped in July 2018. This happened after Jeremiah finished a pretrial diversion program.
Jeremiah denied the abuse claims. He said Carmela was seeking attention. Carmela later accused him of manipulation and abuse on social media.
The couple tried to reconcile after the arrest. But problems continued. In March 2022, Carmela got a restraining order against Jeremiah. She said he threatened her life. That order ended in March 2023.
Jeremiah denied these threats. He said the claims were about old incidents from 2017. He insisted he was a changed person.
Are they still together?
No. Jeremiah Raber confirmed in May 2022 that their relationship was “officially done.”
Later seasons of Return to Amish showed them trying to reconcile. They even talked about having a baby together. But those scenes were filmed before their final split.
As of early 2026, Jeremiah lives alone. He has been traveling in a camper van. He was also married before, to Naomi Stutzman from 2005 to 2011. They share three children.
Jeremiah’s current health battle
Jeremiah’s recent hospitalization was very serious. His blood sugar level reached 993, which is extremely dangerous. Doctors were also concerned about his liver.
This is not his first major health scare. In April 2024, he was in the hospital for heart problems and a diabetic complication. His latest health issue is also related to his ongoing diabetes.
He has told fans he is getting better. We wish Jeremiah Raber a full and speedy recovery.
