WhenReal Housewives of Orange Countyfirst aired in 2006 on Bravo TV the viewing audience was unclear what to expect.
However, it didnt take long for the American audience to be hooked.
The wealth, the lifestyle, the houses, and the drama brought something new to unscripted programming.
Image by Jeff Chacon, Bravo
The very name of the show seemed to challenge what people assumed real housewives should be like.
Over the years, the franchise has gained further widespread popularity.The Real Housewiveshave become a cultural phenomenon.
The leading ladies you soon got to love, and sometimes hate.
Image via Peacock
They would come into the show, then go to be replaced, only to later return once again.
But the fabulous lifestyles will always remain constant.
Learning the backstories of these wealthy and unabated housewives is a big draw to the franchise.
Image via Bravo
Were they born with a silver spoon in their mouth?
Did they have to go out and earn it?
Or, did they marry into it?
Image via BravoTV.
For those housewives who have officially made it, was theirs a rags-to-riches story?
Or, did they invent a rags-to-riches story for themselves?
Who has the biggest house, the richest husband, and the biggest online following?
Image via Bravo
The savvy lady from the Upper East Side started a wholesale clothing business in 1986.
As one of the originalRHONYladies,Ramona spent more than a decade entertaining viewers with her outlandish antics.
She featured a photo shoot for her site, and promoted her nail polish line.
Image via Bravo
23Aviva Drescher
Aviva Drescherwas onThe Real Housewives of New York Cityfor the fifth and sixth seasons.
Despite this iconic gesture, Aviva was not asked to return to RHONY Season 7.
Since then, Aviva and her familyrelocated to Miami in 2022.
Image via Bravo
After her divorce, Shannon began her health food business, Real for Real Cuisine.
She eventually built the company, and it became a featured product on the QVC shopping channel.
After the success of the prepared meals line, Shannon also developed supplements under the Real for Real brand.
Image via Getty Images.
Together, Shannon and Dr.
Moon are developing an at-home colonic product called a Sitolonic.
In 2017, Dina married Dave Cantin, founder of the Dave Cantin Group, a financial advisory company.
Image via Bravo
Caroline is married to Albert Manzo, the brother of Dina’s ex-husband,Thomas Manzo.
Dina’s wedding to Manzo was featured on the VH1 seriesMy Fabulous Wedding.
Dina is an interior designer, and she also owns a skincare line, Glow by Dina.
Image via Peacock
Season 2 has also shown the couple moving into their swanky Dubai mansion with its $50,000 sofa.
This season, Caroline has made peace with co-starChanel Ayan, though the two sparred frequently in Season 1.
Caroline has also turned to the influencer space in recent years.
She has over 700K followers on Instagram and her income is supplemented by endorsement deals.
In 2022,Crystal was also paid an undisclosed amountby the Chinese government to promote the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Tinsley then went on to appear inRHONYfrom Season 9 to Season 12.
Tinsley also authored the bookSouthern Charm, and contributed to the best-selling bookThe Park Avenue Diet.
