It’s a big month for Shannon Storms Beador.
Just days before turning 61, The Real Housewives of Orange County mom hit the town to celebrate her father Gene Storms’ 96th birthday. Shannon shared the festivities in a March 20 Instagram post, which included a short but sweet message for her dad, aka “Gene the Machine.”
“Happy 96th Birthday to my father!” she captioned the carousel. “96 never looked better!!!”
Shannon Beador celebrates her dad Gene's 96th birthday
The Instagram began with a photo of Shannon and Gene posing side-by-side against a stone wall. Shannon stepped out in a chic all-black look with a sequin top while Gene wore a dapper navy sports coat over a light blue polo.
The following slides showed the father and daughter sitting at a dining table surrounded by their closest friends. The birthday man also switched up his look during the celebration, as he was later photographed in a snapback embroidered with his “Gene the Machine” nickname.
Housewives send birthday wishes to "Gene the Machine"
Shannon’s post has since received more than 20,000 “likes” and hundreds of comments, some of which were sent from Shannon’s RHOC castmates.
“So handsome! Xo,” RHOC’s Emily Simpson wrote.
“Happy birthday gene the machine!!” Gina Kirschenheiter added.
Gene also received birthday wishes from RHOC’s Jennifer Pedranti, RHOC alum Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Dolores Catania, and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’s Angie Katsanevas.
“Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad,” Angie wrote. “Many more years of health and happiness to him.”
Shannon describes her dad as "a handful" and "a lucky man"
Fans got a glimpse at Shannon and Gene’s relationship in RHOC Season 15, Episode 3 (October 28, 2020), when the OC mom hosted a “Let’s Get Real” housewarming party. Gene showed up with his then-girlfriend, Diane, who was apparently young enough to be his daughter.
“My parents got divorced when I was in college and my dad is a handful,” Shannon said in a confessional. “He’s shutting down bars later than I am — with 25-year-olds! Diane and I are one digit of numbers apart from each other. He’s a lucky man.”
Shannon shared the life update as she films RHOC Season 19. She, Gina, Emily, and Jennifer will be joined by returning cast members Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, and Katie Ginella. Gretchen Rossi, who held an orange from seasons 4-8, will also appear in Season 19 as a friend of the Housewives.
Find out what Shannon thinks of Gretchen’s much-anticipated RHOC return.
