The Real Housewives of Orange County was the first show in The Real Housewives franchise, debuting in 2006. Across 18 seasons, the RHOC has had numerous cast mates, friends, and guests come and go. The RHOC has also introduced audiences to various romantic partners, children, and other relatives.

None of the original members of the RHOC‘s cast have lasted all 18 seasons and, during its long run, notable housewives like Tamra Judge and Heather Dubrow have come and gone — only to return. For the RHOC stars who haven’t reemerged, it’s natural to be curious about what happened to them after they left the show.

Here are all the former cast mates and what they’re up to now.

20 Vicki Gunvalson

Vicki Gunderson was married to Don Gunvalson when she joined The Real Housewives of Orange County and had a close relationship with her son, Michael, and her daughter, Briana. Vicki and Don later divorced. She entered a relationship with Brooks Ayers, which proved highly controversial, and later became engaged to Steve Lodge in 2019, the same year she left the RHOC.

Vicki returned to the RHOC in 2022,one year after revealing she had been treated for cancer. As of 2024, Vicki is dating Michael Smith, a real estate developer. Vicki is CEO of Coto Insurance and Financial Services in Irvine, CA, and hosts the My Friend, My Soulmate, My Podcast with Christian Gray Snow.

19 Jeana Keough

Original Orange County housewife Jeana Keough was married to Matt Keough, a former professional baseball player, when the show started, although they later divorced. Jeana has three children — Shane, Kara, and Colton.

The former model and actress is a real estate agent and has remained a familiar face on the RHOC. She was a main cast member for five seasons, a friend for one, a guest for six more, and a narrator for one season.

18 Lauri Peterson

Lauri Peterson was on the RHOC for two seasons before making a few appearances later in the show. Her time on the show included regular appearances by her son, Josh, who passed away from “the use of fentanyl, methamphetamine and olanzapine” and was ruled an accident in 2024.

Lauri adopted her granddaughter, Kennady, and is married to George Peterson, a real estate developer in Orange County.

17 Jo De La Rosa

Jo De La Rosa reemerged during Season 18 of the RHOC after having been a main cast member and a guest during the first four seasons of the show. During the intervening years, Jo worked as a bartender, something she discussed on her podcast Popcandy in 2020:

“I had a publicist at the time, and he was like, ‘Jo, you cannot be seen bartending.’ People were like, ‘What the hell are you doing bartending here? You just got off a hit show!'”

Her relationship with Slade Smiley was front and center when Jo was on RHOC, but in 2022, she wed musician Taran Gray.

16 Kimberly Bryant

Kimberly Bryant was on the RHOC for one season but later appeared as a guest on others. Married to executive Scot Bryant, the couple and their two children later relocated to Chicago, Illinois. In 2023, it was reported that they foreclosed on their home in the WIndy City in 2014, but no new information has become available since.

15 Tammy Knickerbocker

Tammy Knickerbocker, a main cast member during Seasons 2 and 3, left the show after her former husband, Lou, was killed in 2007. She exited to focus on her children, Megan and Lindsey. She later explained,

“I am mainly focused on helping my girls through the loss of their father. Before I had been so busy with my life hanging on by a thread at times, but I am now able to give them the time and energy they need and I am glad I have this chance with them.”

In 2024, Tammy’s boyfriend, Rick Brannon, passed away from complications from pneumonia.

14 Quinn Fry

Quinn Fry was on the RHOC for less than a full season but did continue to make guest appearances. After leaving the show, Quinn moved to North Carolina where she spends time with her daughter, Shannon, and her grandchildren.

In 2024, Quinn became a great-grandmother to the family’s latest addition, Calloway.

13 Lynne Curtin

Lynne Curtin, a regular on the RHOC during Seasons 4 and 5, filed for divorce from her husband, Frank, after leaving the show. Because Frank never appeared in court, Lynn had to refile five years later in 2017.

Lynn is a thriving entrepreneur, promoting a line of jewelry while spending time with her daughters, Alexa and Raquel.

12 Gretchen Rossi

When Gretchen Rossi joined the RHOC, her connection to Slade Smiley — formerly engaged to the RHOC’s Jo De La Rosa — was front and center. Gretchen and Slade stayed together after Gretchen left the show and, in the years that followed, were open about their fertility struggles. Alongside efforts to grow a family, Gretchen and Slade lost their son, Grayson Arroyo-Smiley, to brain cancer in 2023.

In July 2024, Gretchen shared more details about her efforts to get pregnant and photos of her life before becoming a housewife. Currently engaged to Slade, Gretchen has made it clear that even through they’re not married,

“We are committed and loyal to one another whether or not we have a marriage license! And sometimes I think that speaks more volumes.”

11 Alexis Bellino

As a member of the RHOC cast for three seasons, Alexis Belino’s relationship with her husband, Jim, was front and center. After leaving the show, Alexis and Jim divorced. Alexis has kept her fans updated about her children — James, Miles, and Mackenna — and has provided several updates about ther relationship status.

Alexis became engaged to John Janssen, the ex-boyfriend of the RHOC’s Shannon Storms Beador, in 2024, a major point of contention when Alexis returned as a friend to the show for Season 18.

10 Peggy Tanous

Peggy Tanous was only on the RHOC for one season, but did appear in later episode of the show. Peggy often clashed with Alexis Bellino when she was on the show, part of why she exited the RHOC.

Peggy is a self-proclaimed expert on beauty and lifestyle topics and now lives in Florida.

9 Lydia McLaughlin

Lydia McLaughlin was on the RHOC during Season 8 and again during Season 12. At the end of her last stint, Lydia said she was leaving because,

“I feel like I can only handle this show one season at a time. I need a break! There is a lot of good that comes from the show, but also a lot of negativity.”

Married to Doug McLaughlin since 2006, Lydia currently works as a magazine editor, author, and designer. She has a fashion and lifestyle blog where she shares additional thoughts about how bible study has changed her life.

8 Lizzie Rovsek

A main cast member during Season 9 and a guest during later seasons, Lizzie Rovsek still lives in Orange County with her sons, Preston and Kingston. No longer married to Christian Rovsek, Lizzie still spends time with former and current housewives alike, including Gretchen Rossi and Shannon Storms Beador.

Lizzie is a self-described “health and wellness” professional as well as a podcast host, “boy mom” and “integrative health” expert.

7 Meghan King

Meghan King, formerly married to Jim Edmonds, left the RHOC in 2017 after three seasons on the show. Meghan and Jim had three children: Aspen, Hart, and Hayes.

Meghan later hosted a podcast called Intimate Knowledge with Meghan King (it ended in 2023) and currently works as a concierge real estate advisor in Missouri. Meghan wed Cuffe Biden Owens, nephew of President Joe Biden, in 2021 but the couple split the following year.

6 Kelly Dodd

After five seasons on the RHOC, Kelly Dodd was let go from the franchise because, as she put it in 2021:

“I got fired because of myself. I’m the one who got myself fired… had the executives calling me…. But I was causing them a lot of grief. I was causing them a lot of trouble.”

Kelly was referring to various comments she made that were considered insensitive. These included social media posts. After the show, Kelly married former Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal. They now host a podcast on YouTube calledThe Rick & Kelly Show.

5 Peggy Sulahian

After one season on the RHOC, Peggy Sulahian exited and has focused on her home, her business, and her family ever since. Peggy — the first Armenian-American housewife and the 100th housewife in the franchise — has three children with her husband, Diko: Giovanna, Gianelle, and Koko. She became a grandmother in 2024 when her daughter, Giovanna, had her first baby, Alesanna.

When it comes to entrepreneurship, Peggy launched a line of haircare products called The Runway Hair.

4 Braunwyn Windham-Burke

Braunwyn Windham-Burke was on the RHOC for two seasons and, after she left in 2022, filed for divorce from her husband, Sean Burke. Windham-Burke then began dating Jennifer Spiner and confirmed that she was gay.

Braunwyn and Jennifer later became engaged and relocated to Franklin, Tennessee. In February 2024, Braunwyn said she is sober and that life in Franklin is “the life I want.”

3 Elizabeth Lyn Vargas

After only one season on the RHOC, Elizabeth Lyn Vargas didn’t return. Her time on the show was filmed during COVID and, as a result, she said she didn’t get “to know all the ladies fully.” Elizabeth, Kelly Dodd, and Braunwyn Windham-Burk were all let go from the RHOC after Season 15.

Elizabeth has dismissed rumors that she’s dating Alexis Bellino’s former husband, Jim, and currently hosts a podcast called Girl Talk Logic.

2 Noella Bergener

Noella Bergener appeared on the RHOC during Season 16 but only stayed for one season. After leaving the show, Noella became engaged to boyfriend Bobby Schubenski.

Noella remains a dedicated mother to her children, James Jr. and Coco. James Jr.’s father, attorney James Berenger, and Noella had a contentious divorce that was part of her time on the show. Their relationship was officially dissolved in late 2021.

1 Jen Armstrong

Dr. Jen Armstrong and her estranged husband, Ryne Holliday, appeared to be headed for divorce but later announced they had reconciled. The dermatologist was on the RHOC for one season, and continues to “combine Western and Eastern medicine” in her California-based practice while functioning as the CEO of ArmstrongMD.

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