Brandi Glanville became emotional after a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover her medical expenses as she continues to cope with ongoing facial disfigurement issues.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star tearfully admitted she felt “embarrassed” accepting financial help from others during Friday’s episode of her Brandi Glanville Unfiltered podcast.
Glanville, 53, said her medical costs have reached $7,000 a week, an expense she can no longer manage after her lengthy health struggles depleted her savings and kept her out of work for two years.
“Even with my insurance, it’s $7,000 a week and I have creditors calling me all day,” she told co-host James Maas.
Her friend Gina Rodriguez created the GoFundMe on Tuesday, and several figures from the Real Housewives franchise have already contributed, according to TMZ.
Kyle Richards donated $500, while Claudia Jordan, who appeared on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, contributed $100.
Brandi Glanville broke down in tears over a GoFundMe that was started to help her pay medical bills as she deals with ongoing facial disfigurement issues
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills tearfully described how ’embarrassed’ she was to take charity from others during her Brandi Glanville Unfiltered podcast with on Friday
Maas, who took on the role of Glanville’s full-time co-host when the podcast returned in March 2025, also donated $100.
‘I’m embarrassed, honestly, ‘cause I don’t like to ask for help,’ Glanville went on. ‘And I never thought I would do this and she’s, like, “You have no choice.”
‘If I stop paying, I won’t get my medication and then I won’t make any progress. And right now, I paid half. I still owe them. I’m just spent, like, in every way. And I don’t want anyone to see it. But I don’t know what to do.’
Her co-host tried to soothe her by saying: ‘It’s not embarrassing. What’s embarrassing is the whole medical system.’
Maas brought up the severe depression and dark thoughts that Glanville has expressed so publicly due to her grueling, multi-year medical crisis.
‘My kids are checking on me and you check on me,’ she acknowledged.
Maas told her: ‘You need a GoFundMe.’
Glanville started talking about her facial changes and swelling in July 2023, following an incident while filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
Glanville’s friend, Gina Rodriguez, started the GoFundMe for her on Tuesday, and already a number of her Real Housewives sidekicks have pitched in including Kyle Richards and Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Claudia Jordan
Speaking about a large fungal ball in her face, Glanville told followers earlier this week: ‘I just want to cut it out of my face’
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In February of this year, Glanville had her breast implants removed after they completely ruptured and, according to her, leaked silicone in her lymph nodes
She had new, smaller implants placed during the same surgery in which her old ones were removed
A year later, in July 2024, she addressed the severe facial disfigurement and depression it caused again, blaming it on stress and Bravo.
‘I’m not even going to share the picture of when it sinks in,’ Glanville vented at the time. ‘Stress will kill you. How is your wealth? Take care of yourself, people. Thank you, Bravo. I couldn’t even work if I wanted to at this point.’
The former model stated in late 2024 that she was dealing with a suspected parasite in her face, which was causing the pain, swelling and disfigurement.
In February of this year, Glanville had her breast implants removed after they completely ruptured and, according to her, leaked silicone in her lymph nodes.
She had new, smaller implants placed during the same surgery in which her old ones were removed.
In an Instagram video posted on Tuesday, she revealed her facial parasite had ‘spread’ down her arm.
‘It used to only be here, but over the years that not being diagnosed properly, it has spread. Now it goes down my right arm,’ Glanville said in the video.
Fighting back tears, she pointed out a large fungal ball in her face.
The former model shared on Tuesday: ‘I want my health back. I want my life back. I want to feel like me again.’ Above, Glanville appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in January 2023
‘It’s hard as a rock, and it curves like this. I’m so sick [of it] I just want to cut it out of my face,’ she said.
In the caption, Glanville explained: ‘I’m finally ready to tell you what I’ve actually been fighting and to start sharing some of my worst moments leading up to finally getting diagnosed.
‘I’ve been diagnosed with highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), Demodex dermatitis and Mononucleosis.’
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ESBL Klebsiella is a kind of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The Mayo Clinic says Valley Fever is a fungal infection, while the Cleveland Clinic describes Demodex as ‘a type of mite that lives in human hair follicles, usually on your face.’
Opening up about the emotional and financial toll, Glanville said: ‘I’m not able to work right now other than my podcast and I honestly don’t know how I’m going to do this mentally or financially.
‘I’m sharing some really bad moments and I know I don’t look good in these videos. Honestly, I don’t care. I feel terrible and this is what being sick looks like for me right now…’
‘I just want this s*** OUT of my body. I want my health back. I want my life back. I want to feel like me again.’