Southern Charm is known for its epic drama among friends in Charleston, South Carolina. Because of the depth of the friend group, many Bravoreality TV fans have compared it to the Southern version of Vanderpump Rules. Instead of having Vanderpump’s Lisa Vanderpump ruling the group, Southern Charm has Patricia Altschul.

Patricia Altschul is the voice of reason as the matriarch in the group. As cast member Whitney Sudler-Smith’s mother, she has the young cast over her incredible estate for themed dinners, events, and cocktails. She also acts as the mother of sorts in the group — giving advice and judgmental glares whenever needed.

Seeing how lavishly wealthy Patricia lives (with live-in butlers and a full staff), many have wondered what her net worth is, how she gained it, and what her money goes towards.

Patricia Altschul’s net worth is estimated, as her assets, properties, and investments are private.

Patricia Altschul’s Net Worth Is Allegedly $100 Million

It’s been alleged that Southern Charm’s Patricia Altschul has an estimated net worth of $100 million. She has amassed this wealth through her background as an art collector and dealer, marriages, and now, reality TV.

Young Life and Marriages

Patricia grew up in a prominent family, her father a medical doctor. Growing up, she went to boarding school before attending the prestigious George Washington University where she studied her love of history and archeology​​​​​​.

In her book, The Art of Southern Charm, Patricia explained that during her time at George Washington University, she met and married Lon Hayes Smith. The two went on to have her only son (and Southern Charm star), Whitney Sudler-Smith.

Patricia became fabulously wealthy during this time because Lon became the Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley and was previously an investment banker, as reported by Starcasm.

Entertainment Now shared excerpts from Patricia’s book where she shared that she and Lon broke up after 14 years of marriage. “There was no acrimony between us — just a sense that we were moving in different directions. Our separation and divorce were completely civilized and our main concern was always our son,” she shared.

Ten years after divorcing Lon, Patricia remarried psychiatrist and businessman Edward Stitt Fleming. Bravo reported that Edward founded the Psychiatric Institute of Washington and the Psychiatric Institutes of America. In the early ’60s, he created and ran the Metropolitan Psychiatric Group and eventually was on the board of the Washington Psychiatric Society, the American Psychiatric Association, and the D.C. Medical Society, as mentioned in his obituary by The Washington Post.

Edward Stitt Fleming was related to Ian Fleming, the creator of the
James Bond
franchise.

• Patricia and Edward divorced because he “isolate[d] me from everyone — and everything — I loved,” she wrote in her book (via Bravo).

After her second divorce to a successfully wealthy man, Patricia ran into her old friend — and soon-to-be third husband — Arthur Altschul.

Ahhh… Arthur. He was the last of his breed: brilliant, charismatic, a great businessman, and a true gentleman with infallible taste and the best sense of humor.

Like Edward and Lon, Arthur was successful in his own right. Bravo shared that he was a New York investment banker​​​​​, partner of Goldman Sachs, businessman, and art collector. His voice in the art world demanded to be heard, as he was on the chair of New York’s incredible Metropolitan Museum of Art, a member of the trustees’ council of the National Gallery of Art, and a trustee of the Whitney Museum of American Art, as reported by The New York Times.

Unfortunately, after five years of marriage, Arthur became ill and passed away in 2002. His death left her “inconsolable” despite having lavish properties in Connecticut, Fifth Avenue, and Oyster Bay.

After three marriages to wealthy and prominent men, along with having her own voice in the art world, Patricia gained millions.

A Move From New York City To Charleston

In the early 2000s, Patricia left New York City behind and moved to Charleston. In her book, The Art of Southern Charm (as shared by Bravo), Patricia dreamed of moving to the South after Arthur’s death and landed in Charleston because of its history and architecture.

One of the more incredible aspects of her addition to the series is her 9,480-square-foot estate. According to the South Carolina Historic Properties Record, Patricia bought the Isaac Jenkins Mikell house. The home was designed in the 1800s and is well-known for its incredible architecture and features. In the 1960s, the home was a public library, known for its prominent columns and gardens before it was transformed into a private estate.

ScreenRant shared that the home was praised by the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Carolopolis Awards in 2012 for its preservation.

How Does Patricia Altschul Spend Her Massive Net Worth?

After three marriages to incredible people, a prestigious standing in higher society, and a successful image on reality TV, money is, theoretically, not something Patricia Altschul has to worry about. The same can be said for son, Whitney Sudler-Smith.

Aside from spending $4.8 million on her dreamy Charleston estate, Patricia makes sure her home is run professionally with a full staff. Patricia told Bravo she has professional chefs, butlers, housekeepers, and laundresses because it “takes a lot to maintain a house like that.” Her dear friend and butler, Michael Kelcourse, was a delightful addition to Southern Charm, assisting Patricia on different local adventures.

Stair Galleries shared that Patricia used to use her eye for art and beauty and design homes. She also collects “Delft and Chinese porcelain, and dog paintings.” Fashion, like vintage Chanel and couture, are other times Patricia spends her money on, as seen in The New York Times.

The grand dame has also been seen traveling in style. She drives a pristine Bentley around while on Southern Charm. And, according to Town and Country, travels by private jet with butlers, expensive luggage, and on incredibly expensive yachts.

See Patricia Altschul living in luxury on
Southern Charm
, streaming now on Peacock.