Real Housewives stars on Bravo pull in some pretty substantial paychecks putting their lives on display for the pleasure (and mocking) of the viewing audience. Reality shows have been the king of the airwaves, but recent headlines about “faking it” for ratings by producers and stars on various networks may mean the end of the non-scripted sideshow genre is near. The Real Housewives divas may need to capitalize on their fame now, because as the saying goes, such attention is fleeting.
According to a review of the salaries of the Bravo ladies, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice gets the fattest paycheck. Radar Online claims that Giudice makes $600,000 per season. Now, that much cash would last a person living in most non-metropolitan areas for a long, long time, but diva spending habits could curtail how long the money stays in hand.
Real Housewives of New York star Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Romona Singer each supposedly rake in $500,000 per Bravo season. The two cast members allegedly got a massive bonus after Jill Zarin and Alex McCord left the show last season.
Vicki Gunvalson, one of the original housewives in the flagship Real Housewives of Orange County series allegedly comes in next on the pay scale. If the salary tallies are accurate, the competitive Gunvalson might soon be giving Andy Cohen an earful after reading the highest paid cast member’s review. The Real Housewives of Orange County star supposedly earns $450,000 per episode. Unlike many of the reality show housewives, Gunvalson was a successful businesswoman before she began a life in front of the television camera. The Orange County housewife may have the most solid long-range fiscal health due to her insurance business, even if she isn’t the highest paid cast member of the series.
NeNe Leakes makes the most money on the Real Housewives of Atlanta show, Celebrity News and Styles notes. Leakes allegedly makes $350,000 per season and has amassed a net worth of $4.5 million due to her appearances in multiple venues and her popularity with viewers.