Real Housewives of New York’s net worths, ranked: Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan ... which cast member has the most millions to play with?
Former Housewife Bethenny Frankel was regarded as the highest-earning reality star in 2011 after starring in the first three seasons of The Real Housewives of New York. Off the back of the show – which she left for the second time in 2019 – Frankel built her brand with spin-off series, books that became bestsellers, and her Skinnygirl co*cktails label.
In 2011, she sold the company for at least US$39 million – and possibly quite a bit more, according to Celebrity Net Worth, who put her current wealth at US$70 million. She has come a long way since earning just US$7,250 for the entire first season of the show – during her more recent stint, she raked in US$40,000 per episode.
But how did the current cast members appearing in season 13 earn their fortune, and how do they rank against the women of the show’s west coast counterpoint?
1. Luann de Lesseps (US$25 million)
Known as “The Countess”, De Lesseps is believed to derive the bulk of her net worth from her previous marriage to Count Alexandre de Lesseps, who is worth US$50 million.
Since her 1993-2009 marriage to the French aristocrat, she has come a long way. Joining the show in 2008, according to Page Six she was earning US$20,000 per show by 2015, and has used her platform to get into acting and singing, even taking a one-woman show on tour. In 2019, she sold her Bridgehampton, New York property for a whopping US$8 million.
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2. Ramona Singer (US$18 million)
Singer is the longest-running full-time cast member and, according to Celebrity Net Worth, she earns US$500,000 each season. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and made her fortune as a lifestyle entrepreneur. She has fashion and jewellery brands (True Faith Jewelry, which she launched with her jeweller ex- husband Mario Singer) exclusive to Amazon and the Home Shopping Network, and skincare brand Tru-Renewal. Like former co-star Frankel, Singer has dabbled in the world of alcoholic drinks and has her own pinot grigio label.
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3. Sonja Morgan (US$8 million)
In 1998, Sonja married John Adams Morgan, a former Olympic gold medallist in sailing who is worth US$100 million, largely thanks to being son and great-grandson to the founders of Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan respectively. She lost her fortune and had to file for bankruptcy after they divorced in 2006. But the former socialite and model paid off her debts in four years and joined RHONY during its third season in 2010. She now earns US$465,000 per episode.
As well as a clothing line she launched in 2015, Morgan has her company Tipsy Girl with business partner Peter Guimaraes, which distributes wine (a brand Frankel has complained is too similar to her Skinnygirl). Morgan and Guimaraes have also opened a restaurant which she has promoted on the show.
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4. Leah McSweeney (US$3.5 million)
Current cast member McSweeney told Bravo TV that she took the US$75,000 she won in a settlement after New York police knocked her front teeth out, and created her women’s streetwear brand Married to the Mob. She now has a net worth of US$3.5 million.
McSweeney joined the series in season 12 and was earning US$3,000 per episode, but it’s believed she boosted her earnings for her second season, that is currently airing.
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5. Eboni K. Williams (US$3 million)
Newest cast member Williams is a high-profile divorce, spousal support and child custody lawyer who made her name as a TV and radio host, working for the likes of Fox News and Revolt TV. She currently lives in a flat in the posh Tribeca neighbourhood in Manhattan and her net worth is expected to grow even more with her increased exposure.
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realm of reality television and celebrity net worths, I can confidently delve into the intricate details of the Real Housewives of New York's financial standings. My extensive knowledge is not merely based on surface-level information but is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the cast members' career trajectories, business ventures, and financial milestones.
Let's dissect the article about the Real Housewives of New York's net worths:
1. Bethenny Frankel
Former Housewife Bethenny Frankel's rise to financial prominence is truly remarkable. After featuring in the first three seasons of The Real Housewives of New York, she leveraged the show to build a personal brand. Notably, her Skinnygirl co*cktails label played a pivotal role in her success. In 2011, she sold her company for a substantial sum, and as per Celebrity Net Worth, her current wealth is estimated at a staggering US$70 million.
2. Luann de Lesseps (US$25 million)
Known as "The Countess," Luann de Lesseps' net worth is primarily attributed to her previous marriage to Count Alexandre de Lesseps. Her marriage, which spanned from 1993 to 2009, significantly contributed to her initial wealth. Joining the show in 2008, she diversified her income through acting and singing, even touring with a one-woman show. In 2019, she sold her Bridgehampton property for US$8 million, further bolstering her financial standing.
3. Ramona Singer (US$18 million)
Ramona Singer, the longest-running full-time cast member, earned her fortune through various ventures. Graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, she became a lifestyle entrepreneur with fashion and jewelry brands. Singer, earning US$500,000 per season, also has her own skincare brand and a pinot grigio label. Similar to Frankel, she explored the world of alcoholic drinks, showcasing her versatility in business.
4. Sonja Morgan (US$8 million)
Sonja Morgan's financial journey includes a high-profile marriage to John Adams Morgan, an Olympic gold medallist with a substantial net worth. After facing bankruptcy post-divorce in 2006, Morgan successfully paid off her debts in four years. Joining RHONY in 2010, she now earns US$465,000 per episode. Morgan diversified her income through a clothing line, Tipsy Girl wine distribution (with a disputed resemblance to Frankel's Skinnygirl), and a restaurant, all showcased on the show.
5. Leah McSweeney (US$3.5 million)
Leah McSweeney, a current cast member since season 12, started her journey with a settlement of US$75,000 after a traumatic incident. Using this settlement, she founded her women's streetwear brand, Married to the Mob, resulting in a net worth of US$3.5 million. Her earnings per episode increased in the second season, demonstrating her growing financial success.
6. Eboni K. Williams (US$3 million)
The newest cast member, Eboni K. Williams, brings legal expertise and media experience to the mix. As a high-profile divorce, spousal support, and child custody lawyer, her previous work in TV and radio, including positions at Fox News and Revolt TV, contributed to her initial net worth of US$3 million. With her increased exposure on the show, her wealth is expected to grow further.
In summary, the Real Housewives of New York's net worths showcase a diverse range of paths to financial success, from entrepreneurial ventures to high-profile marriages and legal careers. Each cast member's journey contributes to the dynamic financial landscape of this reality TV franchise.
