What do you think?
Rate this book
The Two Marys: The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus
America's leading psychic explores unanswered questions about the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene from her unique perspective--as someone familiar with this world and the next. No conversation about Jesus Christ is complete without a discussion of the two Marys--one his mother, and the other his wife. Sylvia Browne's readers are deeply committed to exploring the life of Jesus through her eyes. Continuing the journey she began a year ago with The Mystical Life of Jesus, the respected psychic reveals answers to questions that have been asked by countless people of faith. Drawing on her relationship with her spirit guide and her years studying the controversial Gnostic texts, Sylvia Browne speaks with the confidence and authority only someone who has visited the afterlife can have.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
26 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Browne
237 books595 followersSylvia Browne was an American author and self-proclaimed psychic who built a lucrative career through books, television appearances, and psychic readings. Known for her frequent guest spots on The Montel Williams Show and Larry King Live, she claimed to communicate with angels, spirit guides, and the deceased, and said she had psychic visions from the age of three. In 1986, she founded the Society of Novus Spiritus, a Gnostic Christian church, and ran a variety of businesses, reportedly earning millions annually.
Browne wrote over 40 books, many of which were bestsellers, and maintained a dedicated fanbase throughout her life. However, her career was marked by controversy. She made numerous high-profile predictions about missing persons and criminal cases that were later proven false—errors that drew widespread criticism and scrutiny from skeptics and media outlets. A 2010 study by the Skeptical Inquirer concluded she had not been accurate in any verifiable case. Her reputation suffered further after her 1992 conviction for securities fraud.
Despite criticism from figures like James Randi and John Oliver, Browne retained a devoted following. Her vague prediction about a “pneumonia-like illness” spreading around 2020 drew renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. She remained a polarizing figure—revered by some, discredited by others—until her death in 2013 at the age of 77.
Browne wrote over 40 books, many of which were bestsellers, and maintained a dedicated fanbase throughout her life. However, her career was marked by controversy. She made numerous high-profile predictions about missing persons and criminal cases that were later proven false—errors that drew widespread criticism and scrutiny from skeptics and media outlets. A 2010 study by the Skeptical Inquirer concluded she had not been accurate in any verifiable case. Her reputation suffered further after her 1992 conviction for securities fraud.
Despite criticism from figures like James Randi and John Oliver, Browne retained a devoted following. Her vague prediction about a “pneumonia-like illness” spreading around 2020 drew renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. She remained a polarizing figure—revered by some, discredited by others—until her death in 2013 at the age of 77.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 27, 2018
What an evil witch (in the laziest use of the term). Never forget: Browne acknowledges space aliens and crop circles (and possibly Bigfoot). Soooooo. Let the games begin.
Sylvia loves to comment on Love and Peace and relationships. Never forget:
"Browne married five times. Her first marriage, from 1959 to 1972, was to Gary Dufresne. The couple had two sons, one of whom (Christopher Dufresne) she says is a psychic. Her second marriage, to Joe Tschirhart in 1952, was annulled soon afterward. Her third marriage was to Kensil Dallzell Brown, after which she began using his last name and later changed it to Browne. From 1994 through 2002, she was married to Larry Beck. In 2009, she married Michael Ulery, a jewelry store owner."
Always keep her comments in perspective. Her spirit guide Francine (personal DEMON) insists that there are no actual demons. Ummmh? What else would a demon say? But never forget: Sylvia claims to be a Christian - and it's not hard to see how the Christian Bible (word of God) mentions demons from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus dealt with demons on a few occasions. If the Bible can't be trusted on a systematic recurring theme like that? Then why claim to be a Christian at all? Unless you do what Sylvia does - and twist every Bible verse you come near. Her gnostic Christianity is not even close to any historical Biblical claims of the last 2000 years. She's even a horrible excuse for a gnostic. It is fun that she even admits there's no general agreement amongst gnostics on much of anything. Even the gnostic writings she keeps boasting of mock her claims for feminism and enlightened women's values and meaning.
Can we trust this lady about the truth of the universe and spirituality? Never forget:
"In 1992, Sylvia and Kensil Brown were accused of illegally selling securities that had not been registered with the State of California. Both were also charged with misrepresentations and grand theft, and Kensil was additionally charged with fraud. The complaint stated that (a) the Browns obtained a $20,000 investment in their gold-mining venture by misrepresenting the financial status of the company, (b) instead of using the money for operating expenses, the Browns used much of it to pay for personal and corporate indebtedness, (c) a few weeks later the Browns declared bankruptcy without telling the investor, and (d) the Browns falsely told the investor that his money would be recovered when the mining equipment was sold. In 1993, the Browns pleaded "no contest" to a felony violation of "sale of securities without permit."
This is essential and fun:
"In 2010, Skeptical Inquirer published a comprehensive analysis of Sylvia's predictions about missing persons. Using Internet and other database searches, the authors located 115 cases. In 90 of these, the outcome could not be determined because the cases had not been solved. In 25, however, where the outcome was known, she was wrong every time.
The authors concluded: These 115 cases prove devastating to Browne's claims of helping police and families. It is hard to understand how someone with such a dismal record continually tops bestseller lists and maintains a following."
And yet people keep trusting this lady and embracing her hilarious claims to being a scholar.
more to come... nah, that's more than enough.
Sylvia loves to comment on Love and Peace and relationships. Never forget:
"Browne married five times. Her first marriage, from 1959 to 1972, was to Gary Dufresne. The couple had two sons, one of whom (Christopher Dufresne) she says is a psychic. Her second marriage, to Joe Tschirhart in 1952, was annulled soon afterward. Her third marriage was to Kensil Dallzell Brown, after which she began using his last name and later changed it to Browne. From 1994 through 2002, she was married to Larry Beck. In 2009, she married Michael Ulery, a jewelry store owner."
Always keep her comments in perspective. Her spirit guide Francine (personal DEMON) insists that there are no actual demons. Ummmh? What else would a demon say? But never forget: Sylvia claims to be a Christian - and it's not hard to see how the Christian Bible (word of God) mentions demons from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus dealt with demons on a few occasions. If the Bible can't be trusted on a systematic recurring theme like that? Then why claim to be a Christian at all? Unless you do what Sylvia does - and twist every Bible verse you come near. Her gnostic Christianity is not even close to any historical Biblical claims of the last 2000 years. She's even a horrible excuse for a gnostic. It is fun that she even admits there's no general agreement amongst gnostics on much of anything. Even the gnostic writings she keeps boasting of mock her claims for feminism and enlightened women's values and meaning.
Can we trust this lady about the truth of the universe and spirituality? Never forget:
"In 1992, Sylvia and Kensil Brown were accused of illegally selling securities that had not been registered with the State of California. Both were also charged with misrepresentations and grand theft, and Kensil was additionally charged with fraud. The complaint stated that (a) the Browns obtained a $20,000 investment in their gold-mining venture by misrepresenting the financial status of the company, (b) instead of using the money for operating expenses, the Browns used much of it to pay for personal and corporate indebtedness, (c) a few weeks later the Browns declared bankruptcy without telling the investor, and (d) the Browns falsely told the investor that his money would be recovered when the mining equipment was sold. In 1993, the Browns pleaded "no contest" to a felony violation of "sale of securities without permit."
This is essential and fun:
"In 2010, Skeptical Inquirer published a comprehensive analysis of Sylvia's predictions about missing persons. Using Internet and other database searches, the authors located 115 cases. In 90 of these, the outcome could not be determined because the cases had not been solved. In 25, however, where the outcome was known, she was wrong every time.
The authors concluded: These 115 cases prove devastating to Browne's claims of helping police and families. It is hard to understand how someone with such a dismal record continually tops bestseller lists and maintains a following."
And yet people keep trusting this lady and embracing her hilarious claims to being a scholar.
more to come... nah, that's more than enough.
January 1, 2018
Anyone with a Christian background has been spoon fed the knowledge that Mary was the mother of Jesus, Jesus died for our sins on the cross and Mary Magdalene was a harlot. But what if those assumptions are incorrect?
Sylvia Browne provides us with an alternate possibility. Mary set Jesus’ feet upon the good road and helped to guide much of his early life, but many of his teachings may very well have been passed down to us through Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ first and best apostle. This was an unheard of concept in a male dominated society! Jesus may also have married Mary Magdalene and casting her as a woman of sin seemed to be an excellent way to disguise the truth.
In addition, Ms. Browne wraps us up in the intrigue surrounding the crucifixion. Joseph of Arimatea was a rich and powerful man in Christ’s day, rich enough to insist that Jesus receive the minimal flogging, that his legs not be broken so Jesus could continue to breathe on the cross, and that the condemned man be removed from the cross quickly to increase the chances that Jesus might survive. If Jesus had been cared for in an above ground tomb, he might have survived his ordeal and, indeed, lived on in what was then a much more remote corner of the world.
Although the Christian in me places some doubt on these suppositions, the intellectual in me is fascinated by these possibilities. I intend to read on and discover the truth. Thank you, Ms. Browne, for lighting a new candle of knowledge in my brain. May it become a roaring flame.
Sylvia Browne provides us with an alternate possibility. Mary set Jesus’ feet upon the good road and helped to guide much of his early life, but many of his teachings may very well have been passed down to us through Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ first and best apostle. This was an unheard of concept in a male dominated society! Jesus may also have married Mary Magdalene and casting her as a woman of sin seemed to be an excellent way to disguise the truth.
In addition, Ms. Browne wraps us up in the intrigue surrounding the crucifixion. Joseph of Arimatea was a rich and powerful man in Christ’s day, rich enough to insist that Jesus receive the minimal flogging, that his legs not be broken so Jesus could continue to breathe on the cross, and that the condemned man be removed from the cross quickly to increase the chances that Jesus might survive. If Jesus had been cared for in an above ground tomb, he might have survived his ordeal and, indeed, lived on in what was then a much more remote corner of the world.
Although the Christian in me places some doubt on these suppositions, the intellectual in me is fascinated by these possibilities. I intend to read on and discover the truth. Thank you, Ms. Browne, for lighting a new candle of knowledge in my brain. May it become a roaring flame.
May 29, 2014
I can't remember the last time I abandoned a book. I am compulsive about finishing books I start no matter how stupid or
uninteresting I find them. But I just could not go on with this one.
I was really quite interested in the theory that Jesus married,
traveled to Europe and even had children. I do agree that the early
Christian church minimized the role of women in the church and
fiddled around with the scriptures to suit their ideas.
If Ms Browne had written a fictionalized version of Jesus's life this book might have been excusable. However, she blithely states
things as fact when she has no backup research. Sorry, your
visions and Francine, the spirit guide just don't hack it.
June 20, 2012
This was a very interesting book on a controversial subject. Sylvia did her research and explains it in a very easy to understand way. You have to wade through the parts about the church she formed and the things her spirit guide have told her, and deal with that as you see fit, but the info about the Gnostic resurgence was very interesting. I am a big fan of the Marys!
March 6, 2013
This seems like a joke, no historical references and attesting content coming from "Francine", who's Francine? Humorous but not historical at all!
April 24, 2015
Sylvia Browne gives a new meaning to the term "psychic", specifically, "someone who just can not write a convincing 1st century story to save her life."
December 2, 2018
Ok so, you're not going to get an overwhelming amount of academia with Sylvia Browne but...you'll get an entertaining read which gives you plenty to think about!
Having read The DaVinci Code and Holy Blood, Holy Grail AGES ago, I was excited to find this book on a friends bookshelf. The truth Jesus, Gnosticism and Mary Magdalene are topics that fascinate me. The book creates a realistic picture of how life most likely was for the Ascended Master known as Jesus Christ. It's a pity that the Catholic Cult has tarnished factual information with lies, overwhelming misogyny and women-hating drivel.
Jesus was a powerful mystic, a healer who studied ancient Indian/Middle eastern philosophy as a way of connecting to the Divine. This book explains who Jesus was and how his mother and WIFE helped shape into the extraordinary man he was.
Like I said, this is not a scholarly read and many of the finer details raised would need fact-checking but...it was an enjoyable book all the same :-)
One thing I love about Sylvia Browne's books is that you often feel like you're having a conversation with a knowledgeable friend - very readable, relatable and relevant. I highly recommend this book!
Having read The DaVinci Code and Holy Blood, Holy Grail AGES ago, I was excited to find this book on a friends bookshelf. The truth Jesus, Gnosticism and Mary Magdalene are topics that fascinate me. The book creates a realistic picture of how life most likely was for the Ascended Master known as Jesus Christ. It's a pity that the Catholic Cult has tarnished factual information with lies, overwhelming misogyny and women-hating drivel.
Jesus was a powerful mystic, a healer who studied ancient Indian/Middle eastern philosophy as a way of connecting to the Divine. This book explains who Jesus was and how his mother and WIFE helped shape into the extraordinary man he was.
Like I said, this is not a scholarly read and many of the finer details raised would need fact-checking but...it was an enjoyable book all the same :-)
One thing I love about Sylvia Browne's books is that you often feel like you're having a conversation with a knowledgeable friend - very readable, relatable and relevant. I highly recommend this book!
May 2, 2019
Well-known psychic and best-selling author, Sylvia Brown, uses the help of her spirit guides and her years of experience studying gnostic texts to present her information describing Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, who she claims was actually the wife of Jesus. This book continues the journey she started with her earlier book The Mystical Life of Jesus. She presents some controversial information that challenges some of the core principles of traditional Christianity. She refers to the origins of and the texts from the Bible and offers explanations for things that she claims may be generally misunderstood. I don't know that I agree 100% with what she presents but I did find it an interesting and fascinating discussion about the central figure in the religion of Christianity. At least it gives me some things to ponder over to explain or better understand some of the more questionable writings in the Bible. Unlike some religions where you are not allowed to question anything, we still have open minds to explore and learn new things. If you are open to studying some alternative explanations for the stories of the Bible, this book may be for you.
February 22, 2024
I'd picked this book up completely unbeknownst to the author's background. It was a cheap buy at one of those book by weight fares. Religious studies do attract my attention, after all.
Although, I was aghast at the completely anecdotal and personal book it turned out to be, while contemplating on world defining events that require academic industry. It almost seemed farcical for me because there were no references, citations, or name-drops. It was purely about what Sylvia Browne thought personally about an issue, or a historical fact.
The deficiencies are too many to number, although I'd give 2 stars because Sylvia's heart is in the right place, after all - as it seeks to challenge the orthodox church that (according to Sylvia) has eliminated feminine influences in the Bible by minimizing the role of Jesus' mother and alleged wife, both named Mary, in the formation and shaping of the Christ. The most intelligent thing Sylvia could do in the book was to make an attempt at de-hyphenating 'Christianity' from 'Jesus', which can be a good thesis to begin with for more serious scholars of religion.
Although, I was aghast at the completely anecdotal and personal book it turned out to be, while contemplating on world defining events that require academic industry. It almost seemed farcical for me because there were no references, citations, or name-drops. It was purely about what Sylvia Browne thought personally about an issue, or a historical fact.
The deficiencies are too many to number, although I'd give 2 stars because Sylvia's heart is in the right place, after all - as it seeks to challenge the orthodox church that (according to Sylvia) has eliminated feminine influences in the Bible by minimizing the role of Jesus' mother and alleged wife, both named Mary, in the formation and shaping of the Christ. The most intelligent thing Sylvia could do in the book was to make an attempt at de-hyphenating 'Christianity' from 'Jesus', which can be a good thesis to begin with for more serious scholars of religion.
December 16, 2021
Both Mary's in Jesus' life were of great influence to him as any man does his mother and friend. However, when we look at the perspective of those times which differ dramatically then they do now we could begin to understand why these women weren't seen as importantly as the disciples. Both women walked and talked with Jesus and his disciples, they heard the exact same teachings the disciples heard. They were at the cross when he was nailed and stood at the bottom of the cross as they watched him die. Why wouldn't these womens' accounts matter to be written about or if they had written something that they not be part of the Bible as well? Sylvia Browne does a wonderful job in reminding us of the difference and to understand why something so simple in our time as hiding a marriage be a grand scheme in those times. Women were not seen as equals and that is sometimes true today so I could only imagine what women were treated like bck then.
September 18, 2019
The first part of the book was believable. I really do think that Jesus was married and could have had children. Then the author went way left. Jesus' death and resurrection were faked. He went on numerous voyages and changed his name. Mary Madgalene became a preacher also. It was farfetched to say the least.
November 4, 2025
This was a really good perspective on Jesus, Mary and Mary Magdalene. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and enjoyed knowing the truth is out there. This book was written in 2006 and as of 2025 they are revealing all the hundreds of hidden books that were removed from the Bible to fit a certain narrative. I highly recommend reading this book.
October 13, 2023
Very enlightening, it makes more sense than what I’ve heard in church all my life.
October 22, 2023
DNF. Repetition and ridiculous.
May 2, 2024
She seems to think she knows everything about everything. Went into this book interested, left feeling like I wasted my time on a big piece of nonsense.
February 26, 2017
While the thoughts on nostic Christianity are interesting her reliance on her mystic rather than any sort of serious sited research bothers. Honestly the book isn't bad I just feel it is billed wrong. Not what I expected.
November 2, 2012
I consider myself an open minded Christian. I believe that we have a GOD, a son of GOD who did at one time walk the earth I believe that Mary was Jesus' mother NOT GODS wife and I do believe that Jesus was a human like the rest of us. Because the bible was written hundreds of years after Jesus' death, I do not believe the stories as they were written but as a guide for humans to follow to help distinguish the difference between right and wrong. Was Jesus' married? Who knows, and if so why not? Why couldn't the man that we all love have love himself? I did enjoy the stories told of the Mary's in this book, I wish that there were more stories and less religion comparisons, quite a lot of that written in the book.
March 1, 2016
Sylvia Browne, The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus, HB-B @ 2007, 11/08. Among her theories, Jesus was crucified but did not die or rise from the dead. He was helped to escape, appeared to Mary Magdalene and disciples alive and journeyed to Egypt, Turkey, England and eventually died in France. She also says he had four children, Sarah and Esther and 2 boys. Interesting food for thought. okay.
January 15, 2008
I just read this book in about a 24 hour period, like all of Sylvia's book, I just couldn't put it down. Whats great about this book is that I started it the same day I finished this book "Secrets of Mary Magdalene", and it was interesting to find her truths coinciding with the theories produced in the "Secrets" book.
January 24, 2010
Honestly loved this fresh take on the two Marys. It seems that the life that Browne paints for them is more plausible than the bits and pieces I've learned from being a Catholic. I love that we can see these important historical figures as the people, and not just cogs in the wheel of Christianity.
August 8, 2012
Quick read. Her style for the most part flows easily and gives the reader a sense of her speaking directly to him/her. I didn't find the material to be new ground, and instead saw it to reveal little, but confirm much. But that's me. The historical accuracy of who said and did what seems to me to be only the tip of the iceberg of truth, most of which is below the surface of see-level.
April 15, 2008
Very interesting. Information from her spirit guide, Francine. Sylvia is a puzzle to me but I believe she is benign. Whether this came from her imagination or from an actual spiritual guide, it is a story I'd like to believe.
April 30, 2010
Focuses on the lives of the two most important women in the lives of Jesus. Contrary to the beliefs of Christian religions, Jesus married Mary Magdalene. This book uncovers the history of Mary Magdalene, as well as Mary, the mother of Jesus, along with facts about Jesus and the Bible.
August 16, 2011
This was a very interesting book. Brings more insight into the two ladies who were central to Jesus's life and shows that they really played key roles in his teachings instead of being minor influences.
June 26, 2012
Easy to read, much redundant material from other books, interesting subject, but Sylvia contradicts her story about the resurrection of Jesus, as she wrote about this differently in one of her other books.
February 18, 2014
I think if had had read this 10 years ago I would have appreciated it more because most of the info I already knew. It was an easy, good read and I really like Sylvia. It just wasn't anything new for me.
August 13, 2014
I was really looking forward to a book that finally comments on the women in Jesus' life. But could not read further than 100 pages as Sylvia Browne's back up to anything interesting is that her 'spirit guide Francine told her' how rediculous. A disappointing read.
October 25, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. If I had to pick a favorite of Browne's books this would be it. I'm not sure I believe everything, but it is a beautiful story and I believe it would really help Christianity to follow it. Love like this would only help.
November 20, 2016
I felt this was the most sales-y, self promotional of the Sylvia Browne books I've read. She does present some interesting concepts, but the book is also rife with advocacy for her other works and church.
June 4, 2008
great information- strange reading- she repeats herself way too much- maybe this should have been her last....I do love her books
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews