I Ranked The 50 Best Real Housewives Of All Time, And Yes I Went There
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Picking the best housewives is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. It's no small ask, especially when 158 unforgettable women have been involved across 11 different cities.
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As a self-proclaimed Bravoholic, I can usually see the bright side in a lot of the ladies across the franchises. But some have that extra something special that makes them rise above and beyond.
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From franchise greats to surprise showstoppers, here are the 50 best housewives that have graced Bravo's airwaves (and can now blessedly be streamed on Peacock).
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50.Brandi Redmond, Real Housewives of Dallas
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Brandi Redmond endeared us with her wine-mom mentality and family full of poop jokes and felt a little more down-to-earth than most housewives. Things took a turn toward the end of RHOD when comments started going from uncomfortable to unacceptable, but she was a major part of the short-lived series nonetheless.
49.Caroline Stanbury, Real Housewives of Dubai
Caroline Stanbury hasn't been afraid to get vulnerable on RHODubai, sharing some raw moments in her relationship — like trying to add to her family with new husband Sergio after raising three kids with her ex, all at 47 — that earns her a mention. Plus, she was great in Ladies of London long before her Housewives days!
48.Alex McCord, Real Housewives of New York
Alex was pretty great by early housewives standards, if for no other reason than her insistence on Brooklyn over Manhattan and the company of her husband over the company of her friends. Simon really added to Alex's presence on the show and was one of the first househusbands to garner interest in his own right. Can't wait to see her back on Ultimate Girls Trip soon!
47.Meredith Marks, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
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Meredith Marks is a little bit of a mess and a little bit of a pot stirrer, but she also has some humorous moments to make up for it. Like, who doesn't want to quote her famous "I'm disengaging" line?
46.Wendy Osefo, Real Housewives of Potomac
Wendy isn't particularly remarkable as far as scandals or shade, but she makes up for it in being that grounded woman we all need to hear from every now and then. From one woman with degrees plural, I see you, Wendy.
45.Larsa Pippen, Real Housewives of Miami
Larsa could give more as a housewife (she likes to be shrouded in some mystery), but between her estranged Kardashian ties and her spicy dating life, she's garnered some interest for sure. Plus, she knows how to earn her paycheck by making moments on camera that we tune in for week after week.
44.Gina Kirschenheiter, Real Housewives of Orange County
Gina is the lovable hot mess you just want to root for! She's come a long way from where she started and doesn't mind admitting she still has a long way to go, which is a bit of self-awareness not all housewives have.
43.Stephanie Hollman, Real Housewives of Dallas
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Stephanie Hollman developed a reputation for being a sharp-mouthed but big-hearted housewife, but the company she kept left many questioning what parts of herself Stephanie wasn't sharing on the short five seasons of RHOD.
42.Heather Gay, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Heather Gay has held a lot of promise with her exploration of life after leaving the Mormon Church and all the fun she's had figuring herself out. That said, the black eye storyline aggravated the hell out of people and made them question what Heather has to offer moving forward.
41.Yolanda Hadid, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
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Yolanda Hadid came into RHOBH in a really interesting time, both in her own life and in the franchise. Watching her as a mom to Gigi, Bella, and Anwar garnered her some backlash but gave some pretty unprecedented looks into the home lives of these it-kids. Yolanda was in a wildly different place when her time on the show came to an end, but she played a big part in a lot of big controversies that reverberated even after she left.
40.Aviva Drescher, Real Housewives of New York
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Aviva likely wouldn't have made this list were it not for the iconic wielding of her prosthetic leg, both literally and metaphorically, that she exhibited in her time on RHONY.
39.Taylor Armstrong, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
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Taylor Armstrong's time on RHOBH was filled with memorable moments, like this Season 1 dinner showdown for the ages. Sadly, it was also filled with a lot of trauma that kept us from always being able to see her lighter side. She's also the first housewife to jump between franchises, going from Beverly Hills to the OC.
38.Ashley Darby, Real Housewives of Potomac
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Ashley Darby is so funny, even when she doesn't mean to be. She started out a wide-eyed doe in the early days of Potomac, but has come into her own as a divorcee and mom of two... even if she's a little messy about it from time to time.
37.Jill Zarin, Real Housewives of New York
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Everyone knows a woman like Jill Zarin, and you either can't get enough of her or can't stand her. Her early frenemy relationships with Bethenny and Ramona really cemented her in housewives history, as did the sweet bond between her and late husband Bobby, whose emotional funeral episode brought Zarin back into the fold after having left the show seasons prior.
36.Alexia Nepola, Real Housewives of Miami
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From the tough beginnings of RHOM, Alexia was a major draw and was funny and fierce. She took time away from the show after her son was in a serious accident and came back to face more heartache after losing her mom on what was supposed to be her wedding day. Through it all, she's very sincere and charming and fun to watch.
35.Candiace Dillard Bassett, Real Housewives of Potomac
Candiace is so fun-loving and spunky, but she is also ready to drag you to hell if the situation calls for it. My love for Candiace has been personally cemented by her A+++++ Twitter presence, where she brings the laughs and shows off the fun side of her personality.
34.Carole Radziwill, Real Housewives of New York
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Carole Radziwill was a housewife who didn't realize she was too cool to be a housewife. A little too political, a little too aware, and a little more verbose than most of her peers, she never let her differences keep her from being herself and having a good time. Her confessional smack talk was amazing, even if she didn't always bring that heat to confrontations.
33.Jen Shah, Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
What can you say about Jen Shah that hasn't already been said? We were hooked from the first Shah-mazing moment, but her legion of loyal fans didn't all stick by her side as the details of the federal charges against her came to light and her subsequent prison sentence began. She faces a long road before getting another chance at freedom, but something tells me we haven't seen the last of Jen Shah.
32.Danielle Staub, Real Housewives of New Jersey
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Danielle Staub really crafted what it is to be a housewives villain. Though she was only on through the third season of the show, without her we wouldn't have cemented some other heavyweights of RHONJ, like Caroline and Teresa.
31.Erika Girardi, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
What other housewife came locked and loaded with a sexually-charged alter ego to shake things up? There's something fascinating about Erika Jayne, especially in watching her figure out what's next for her after her divorce from Tom Girardi and his messy legal situations coming to light. Something about her keeps you rooting for her, even though she's far from perfect.
30.Shannon Storms Beador, Real Housewives of Orange County
Shannon Storms Beador seemed a little wonky when she first entered the housewives universe, but shifting from a full-time mom to a divorced reality star with an almost empty nest brought a lot of changes that made Shannon one to love.
29.Porsha Williams, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Porsha has undergone such a transformation in her decade on RHOA, navigating marriage, divorce, motherhood, her career, exploring her sexuality, getting involved in social justice (after embarrassing herself about the Underground Railroad), and serving serious one-liners and endless shade.
28.Denise Richards, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Denise Richards only stands to bring the heat in her return to RHOBH after a brief two seasons where she really shook things up, from a rumored hookup with Brandi Glanville to perfecting the art of pissing off Lisa Rinna.
27.Lisa Hochstein, Real Housewives of Miami
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Lisa Hochstein has always been a good mix of dramatic and adventurous, but her stock is only rising as she enters her phoenix from the ashes era post-divorce from ex Lenny.
26.Cynthia Bailey, Real Housewives of Atlanta
Cynthia Bailey was always down to be the voice of reason and bring some romantic drama. But while her relationships were a big part of her storyline, she was also a girl's girl. Her bachelorette party in the dungeon will go down as one of the spiciest, most scandalous moments in housewives history for sure.
25.Gizelle Bryant, Real Housewives of Potomac
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Gizelle Bryant is always mixed up in the drama and has some commentary on it. She'll stir it up with the best of them, even if she doesn't always take the heat well when it comes back at her. With bestie Robyn Dixon, the two are truly reasonably shady.
24.Dorit Kemsley, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Dorit Kemsley isn't always serving in the drama department, but she gets endless appreciation for making the girls in Beverly Hills showcase some fashion to keep up with her. Everyone loves poking fun at Dorit's evolving accent and her international background, but she's her best when she's paling it up with the girls, loving on PK, and embracing the good times with her kids.
23.Melissa Gorga, Real Housewives of New Jersey
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Missy G changed the game when she joined the cast of RHONJ and made it clear that the family drama plot lines would be plentiful. Her feuding with sister-in-law and sometimes friend Teresa Giudice has made for some legendary moments.
22.Dorinda Medley, Real Housewives of New York
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Dorinda Medley can be best described as a scattered but delightful hot mess. From being "not well, bitch!" to making it nice, Dorinda can bring the levity, but she can also bring the drama, like heckling Luann over Jovani.
21.Heather Dubrow, Real Housewives of Orange County
Bravo / Via Denise Richards arrives at the Race To Erase MS 30th Anniversary Gala at Fairmont Century Plaza on June 02, 2023
Heather Dubrow is passionate about what she loves: her husband, her kids, and her champs. She left for a while and came back and proved her lifestyle was just as fabulous as ever, while having only grown her propensity for stirring things up.
20.Caroline Manzo, Real Housewives of New Jersey
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Caroline Manzo is every mom or older person in a friend group who is fed up with everyone's bullshit, and bless her for it. You can tell that those first five seasons she was on RHONJ really tested her, but sometimes, she doled out what everyone needed to hear, even when they weren't happy about it. Since her departure, Dolores Catania has been the only one to maintain that kind of level-headedness as she weaves in and out of the Gorga-Giudice drama.
19.Kim Zolciak, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Kim Zolciak was born for reality TV, from her blissfully unaware and extravagant lifestyle to her short-lived pop career. "Don't Be Tardy for the Party" easily bumped her up several spots on this list.
18.Kandi Burruss, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Kandi might not be the most confrontational housewife, but she knows how to turn up the heat — whether through her many meme-able moments or with her Kandi Koated Nights bringing something steamy to the ATL.
17.Karen Huger, Real Housewives of Potomac
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The Grand Dame does not come to play! Though Karen has dodged some of her tougher story lines and has been reluctant to have her messiness on display, she has served up some of the wisdom the other ladies need to hear. And she also knows how to put together an event to remember.
16.Brandi Glanville, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
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Brandi Glanville is easily one of the most memorable villains in housewife history, offering her "honesty" with a side of venom, every time. She's definitely taken it too far too many times to count, but for a short golden era, she really hit her stride.
15.Lisa Rinna, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
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If you expected an actress who got her start in soaps to come and not bring the drama, you simply weren't ready for Lisa Rinna. Opinions about her divvied over her seasons on RHOBH, which saw her go from zany and chaotic to a complete nightmare on social media.
14.Tamra Judge, Real Housewives of Orange County
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Tamra Judge is made of all things spunky and sassy and has had some really tough and heartbreaking parenting moments on camera. That said, there have also been plenty of times when she shows off her ability to stir up some trouble. She's never been afraid to go in at a reunion, earning her a reputation as one of the more fiery housewives.
13.Phaedra Parks, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Phaedra Parks is every woman — a mother, a mortician, a lawyer, and a verbal assassin. If you questioned her at the beginning, she quickly put you in your place with the perfect shady comments that remind you who she is and how everyone else around her should act accordingly.
12.Kim Richards, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
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Kim Richards is a true housewives icon who has managed to shake things up whether or not she was a cast mate on any given season of RHOBH. Kim is a firecracker on her own, with some of her most intense moments coming in fights with Kyle or about Kyle.
11.Shereé Whitfield, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Spring, summer, or September, you can't deny Shereé has been both vulnerable and fierce in Atlanta. From her relationship ups and downs to trying to get She by Shereé out there to the public, Shereé keeps busy on her own but also stays on top of the girls and their business, for better or worse.
10.Kyle Richards, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Kyle Richards is the centerpiece of RHOBH even if she hasn't always been your favorite housewife. She's a love-her-or-hate-her type, but it's hard not to lean toward love when you see her softer side at home with her own family.
9.Luann de Lesseps, Real Housewives of New York
You didn't think we'd count the countess out, did you? Luann is endless entertainment, from her upper-echelon love interests to her cabaret performances. And once again, she's brought us many a bop with "Money Can't Buy You Class" and "Feelin' Jovani."
8.Vicki Gunvalson, Real Housewives of Orange County
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She's the O.G. of the O.C., so don't mess with her! Vicki has laid it all out there on camera — from heartbreak at the hands of sketchy men to bugging the hell out of her grown kids to some questionable political stances. All that said, it began with Vicki, and for that, she gets some serious credit.
7.Ramona Singer, Real Housewives of New York
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Ramona Singer has thrown some truly Karen-esque tantrums in her time as a housewife, but (especially in the beginning) isn't that what you'd expect? She definitely gets her servings of humble pie now and then, but Ramona is truly at her best when she's lost in turtle time.
6.Bethenny Frankel, Real Housewives of New York
Bethenny Frankel was the anti-housewife in her time as a housewife — focusing on her business goals, reveling in her friendships, and battling with her adversaries before eventually changing her tune as she evolved into motherhood. She made the most of her time and emerged not only an intrinsic part of the housewives legacy, but a mogul in her own right as well.
5.Kenya Moore, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Kenya Moore's sureness of self and pageant background pleasantries made her a spitfire from the beginning. She's the moment, and she's produced thousands of iconic ones in her time on RHOA, not to mention coining the Beyoncé-approved phrase "Gone with the Wind fabulous."
4.Sonja Morgan, Real Housewives of New York
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Never has a housewife entertained in quite the way Sonja Morgan does. It's genuinely whimsical to listen for what comes out of her mouth next. Even though she can push the limits of a good time, it's fun to step into Sonja's world from time to time.
3.Lisa Vanderpump, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
There is no one quite like Lisa Vanderpump, with a small fleet of restaurants and a small zoo in her backyard. Getting her own spin-off universe is a testament to what an impact Lisa Vanderpump had as a housewife. Her puppeteering on RHOBH was parts masterful and manipulative and all absolutely captivating.
2.NeNe Leakes, Real Housewives of Atlanta
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Every moment NeNe Leakes gave Bravo was pure gold. Watching NeNe's star rise was fascinating, especially because of the pure amount of hateration thrown her way as a result, which she navigated like a seasoned pro. NeNe left and returned, and although things between her and Bravo have gotten very sour since her last departure, everyone's hoping there will be more NeNe in the future somehow.
1.Teresa Giudice, Real Housewives of New Jersey
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Teresa Giudice has really perfected the art of housewifing. Sometimes, she's wrong, and sometimes, she's the wronged one. She knows how to amplify a moment, and even when she stumbles, she's hilarious. Tre really helped bring the Bravo world into the mainstream lexicon and has never wavered in her commitment, even when she was "away at camp."
I need to know what you think of this ranking. Who is too high? Who didn't make the list and should have? Share your thoughts in the comments, but also...
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