RHOP Star Mia Thornton's Ex Gordon Shares Bipolar Diagnosis
Originally appeared on E! Online
Mia Thornton's estranged husband Gordon Thornton is getting the help he needs after being diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder.
The Real Housewives of Potomac star, who separated from Mia last year after 11 years of marriage, emotionally opened up about living with the disorder—which causes manic and depressive episodes often requiring medical treatment—during part three of the Bravo series' season eight reunion.
"Bipolar, in and of itself, causes your mind to really work opposite," the 71-year-old shared on the April 14 episode. "Your mind tricks you into saying, ‘You are normal, everyone else is slow.'"
While noting how his struggles with bipolar 1 included episodes in which his behavior became unbalanced. However, he explained that only "people around me"—including Mia—noticed the mood swings while he was unaware of his symptoms.
"Things got so bad and so low for me," he added, "that I went to the hospital and checked myself in."
Gordon—who shares son Jeremiah, 8, and daughter Juliana, 6 with Mia—was officially diagnosed over two years ago, though he now recognizes struggling with bipolar symptoms as far back as his 20s.
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"I can remember episodes over the course of my life," he recounted. "My manic got worse over the years as I gained more control, more power, more money."
Now, Gordon is on medication, but that's not the only treatment he's sought out.
"The key to controlling this is not the medication exclusively," he continued. "You have to go the rest of the way yourself. So the first thing you got to do is understand the behaviors that are the beginning of going into a manic episode."
And while Mia—who has since moved on and is now dating radio personality Incognito—expressed that she is "forever gonna take care of Gordon" despite their divorce, he assured his ex he's in a better place today.
"I appreciate you saying that," he told her, "but I'm telling you I'm good now. I understand my mental illness. I understand how to control it now."
Stream The Real Housewives of Potomac any time on Peacock. And keep reading for E!'s official ranking of every Real Housewife ever.
152-155. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
151. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
150. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but...
149. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
148. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
147. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
146. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was "cougar."
145. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
144: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
143. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
142. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
141. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
140. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
139. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka's first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy's mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.
138. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
137. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
136. Eva Marcille, RHOA
The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
135. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
134. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
133. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City
As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
131-132. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ
So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.
130. Amber Marchese, RHONJ
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
129. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities.
128. Sara Al Madani, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Sara's positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn't provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her.
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