#Breakingnews The Real Housewives star who divorced her husband after debuting their marriage on the show — and she’s far from the only one - suong

   

If the Kardashian curse is a real thing, then it looks like something scarily similar might apply to The Real Housewives. Since 2006, we’ve been given a glimpse into what life behind a gated community looks like. And while there’s a ton of glitz and glam, over the years, there have been a fair few marriages to fall apart. So, let’s take a look at every Real Housewives star who divorced their husband after debuting their relationship on the show.

Shannon Beador

 

When Shannon Beador joined the Real Housewives of Orange County, she and David Beador were married. After a load of highs and lows, the couple’s split came after almost two decades of being together. They finalised their divorce in 2019.

Shannon later went public with a new relationship. She moved on with John Janssen after her divorce from David Beador. The couple appeared happy on the show, but things fell apart in late 2022. John ended the relationship just one week after filming wrapped for the season, blindsiding Shannon and leading to an emotional fallout on-screen and off.

Vicki Gunvalson

 

As if RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson‘s Brooks drama wasn’t enough, she was another Real Housewives star to get divorced after debuting her marriage on the show.

 

Vicki and Donn Gunvalson’s emotional split played out on screen after 20 years of marriage, despite their vow renewal on the show.

Vicki later proudly introduced Steve Lodge to the world via Real Housewives of Orange County, and everyone watched on as their relationship blossomed. The two even got engaged in 2019, but by 2021, it was over. Their split turned messy, with Vicki accusing Steve of betrayal. He quickly moved on and remarried, leaving her heartbroken and very vocal about the pain of their public breakup.

Kenya Moore

 

Kenya Moore’s relationship with Marc Daly was mostly off-camera at first, but she eventually brought him into the Real Housewives of Atlanta spotlight. Their marriage seemed promising, especially after welcoming daughter Brooklyn. But tensions quickly surfaced.

Kenya announced their separation in 2021 after repeated attempts to reconcile, citing Marc’s resistance to compromise and the challenges of maintaining their relationship under scrutiny.

Drew Sidora

Drew Sidora and husband Ralph Pittman shared both romantic highs and explosive lows on RHOA.

Viewers were quick to notice red flags, from gaslighting to emotional distance. In 2023, both filed for divorce within an hour of each other. Drew later revealed she felt “manipulated and controlled,” confirming the end of a relationship that had struggled from the start.

Erika Jayne

 

Erika Jayne’s glitzy marriage to lawyer Tom Girardi seemed like a Real Housewives fairytale, until it wasn’t. After debuting their lavish lifestyle on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, cracks emerged.

Erika filed for divorce in 2020, just before Tom was hit with massive legal scandals. The timing raised eyebrows, and the fallout became one of the franchise’s most shocking legal dramas.

Ashley Darby

 

Ashley Darby’s unconventional marriage to Michael Darby was front and centre throughout her time on the Real Housewives of Potomac.

Despite cheating allegations and frequent tension, the couple welcomed two children and seemed to be rebuilding. But in 2022, Ashley announced their separation. She later revealed that Michael didn’t want more children, and their differing priorities ultimately led to their split.

Kim Zolciak

 

Kim Zolciak famously fell for NFL player Kroy Biermann during her time on RHOA, even debuting their whirlwind romance in her spin-off, Don’t Be Tardy. They married quickly and had four kids, but after more than a decade together, things crumbled.

In 2023, the couple filed for divorce twice, as financial issues and fights spilt into the headlines – and still do.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke

 

RHOC star Braunwyn Windham-Burke made headlines when she came out as a lesbian while still married to her husband, Sean Burke.

Their unconventional arrangement played out on RHOC, but after Braunwyn debuted her first girlfriend, the marriage soon ended. She and Sean eventually split for good, with Braunwyn later saying she never truly felt romantic love for him during their relationship.

Tamra Judge

 

Tamra Judge may be happily loved-up with husband Eddie Judge nowadays, but when people first met her on RHOC, her life looked totally different.

Back in RHOC season three, Tamra was ‘Tamra Barney’ and married to Simon Barney. The two’s tumultuous 13-year-long marriage came to an end, and their divorce was finalised in 2011. They share three children together: Sidney, Spencer, and Sophia.

Teddi Mellencamp

 

Teddi and Edwin appeared as a solid couple during her time on RHOBH, with their growing family front and centre. But in July 2024, Teddi confirmed their divorce after 13 years of marriage.

While she didn’t go into full detail, she said the split was amicable and rooted in “growing apart,” and that they remain committed co-parents to their three children.

Teresa Giudice

 

Teresa and Joe Giudice’s turbulent relationship was a RHONJ staple, culminating in both serving time in prison for fraud. After years of legal trouble and long-distance struggles while Joe was deported to Italy, Teresa confirmed their split in 2019.

Despite their painful past, the two maintain a civil co-parenting relationship for the sake of their four daughters.

Meghan King

 

Meghan King’s marriage to former MLB player Jim Edmonds was rocky even during her time on RHOC.

After welcoming their children and navigating allegations of infidelity, the pair split in 2019. Their divorce was long and bitter, with public custody disputes and accusations flying.

Porsha Williams

 

Porsha’s marriage to ex-NFL star Kordell Stewart unravelled quickly after her RHOA debut. Kordell filed for divorce in 2013, reportedly without warning.

Years later, Porsha shocked fans by announcing her engagement to Simon Guobadia, the ex-husband of her RHOA co-star, Falynn Pina. They wed in 2022, but by 2024, Porsha filed for divorce.

Phaedra Parks

 

Phaedra’s relationship with Apollo Nida began to crumble as his legal troubles escalated.

After he was sentenced to prison for fraud, Phaedra filed for divorce in 2014. The split became bitter, with Apollo disputing the divorce’s finalisation for years. Phaedra later said she had to choose stability for her children and couldn’t continue in the marriage.

Bethenny Frankel

 

Bethenny and Jason’s relationship, from whirlwind romance to parenthood, was documented on RHONY and their spin-off.

They married in 2010, but separated in 2012, and their divorce became one of the messiest in Housewives history. It dragged on until 2021 amid legal battles, custody disputes, and harassment claims. During the split, Bethenny said she was going through a “brutal time,” in a Nightline interview via ABC.

Cynthia Bailey

 

Cynthia and Peter’s relationship was full of ups and downs during her time on RHOA.

Their 2010 wedding aired on the show, but financial strains and trust issues took a toll. After years of tension, Cynthia filed for divorce in 2016. The two later reconnected years later and appear to be on friendly terms these days.

Garcelle Beauvais

 

Garcelle’s marriage to talent agent Mike Nilon ended in betrayal. Though her divorce happened before her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills debut, she openly discussed discovering his five-year affair. The revelation devastated her, and she famously sent a scathing email to his colleagues.

On RHOBH, Garcelle has been candid about rebuilding her confidence, co-parenting their twin sons, and reclaiming her independence.