20 of the Highest-Paid Real Housewives, Ranked
lisavanderpump/InstagramAdmittedly, we’re big fans of reality TV. There's just something about watching other people’s drama play out on screen that makes us feel a teeny, tiny bit better about all that's happening in our own lives. We know we're not alone as shows like Jersey Shore and The Bachelor have massive fan bases. So what, pray tell, is another one of the most popular must-watch series out there? Why, the Real Housewives, of course! It doesn't matter where they're from -- Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Dallas, New Jersey, New York City, Potomac, Orange County -- or how they got their fortune. These ladies are a treat to watch that have us tuning in, curious to find out the details on the next group trip ... or group feud.
Of course, the topic of payment has come up quite a few times. These ladies might live lavish lifestyles prior to getting their TV gig, but a healthy, seasonal paycheck from Bravo definitely doesn't hurt, either. TBH, that could be the reason why most of them continue to sign on in the first place.
So how much are these housewives getting for their silly antics and screaming matches?
Well, the truth is, it varies from city to city, and woman to woman. Not every report that's floating around on the Internet is 100 percent accurate -- with many simply being estimates based off each person's supposed net worth. Still, it's quite intriguing to count up home many coins the housewives we love (and love to hate) allegedly rake in.
As it turns out, the ladies of Atlanta are really raking in the big bucks, but the other cities aren’t too far behind.
So here's a look at some of the highest-paid housewives -- including those who were once "friends" of the show before becoming regular cast members.
20. Dolores Catania (New Jersey)
When Teresa's pal Dolores joined the show in 2016, the rumor was that she was making $30,000 per episode, which had the potential to come to $600,000 per season -- so who knows where she's at.
19. Marlo Hampton (Atlanta)
Marlo may be a new cast member on RHOA, but her starting salary is pretty darn good. The once "friend" to the series is said to be making $270,000 this season.
18. Kyle Richards (Beverly Hills)
Past reports have alleged that Kyle earns $270,000 per season.
But TBH, who knows?
It's likely that's increased over the years, considering what the rest of the cast makes.
17. Shannon Beador (Orange County)
Divorce documents revealed that Shannon brought in $400,000 from her job. So it's safe to say she's doing well.
16. LuAnn de Lesseps (New York)
After Bethenny came back to the show, some of the other ladies (LuAnn included) were holding out for bigger paychecks. The star is said to have inked a deal that gets her $20,000 per scene, which has the potential to be a lot of money. Even if she gets one scene each show, it would equal $440,000.
15. Sonja Morgan (New York)
Sonja likely made the same deal as LuAnn, as it's reported the Real Housewives of New York City makes $20,000 per scene as well.
14. Lisa Rinna (Beverly Hills)
Lisa was once paid $2 million for a Depends commercial, but her reality TV paycheck is more like $450,000 for a season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
13. Lisa Vanderpump (Beverly Hills)
Lisa might be the richest of all the housewives (her net worth is $75 million), but how much she makes per season is still unclear. It's been reported that it's about $500,000 per season, but thanks to Vanderpump Rules, her total Bravo paycheck, may be closer to $2 million.
12. Erika Jayne Girardi (Beverly Hills)
Erika is said to earn approximately $500,000 per season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. But it's important to remember she also has her own musical endeavors and a new book that add to her purse.
11. Ramona Singer (New York)
Back in 2015, it was said that OG New York housewife Ramona was making $500,000 for a season of the show, but that might've been updated after Bethenny returned to The Real Housewives of New York City.
... or maybe it didn't as outlets are still reporting Ramona rakes in half a mill each season.
10. Tamra Judge (Orange County)
After joining the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County back in 2007, Tamra now is said to make $600,000 per season.
9. Melissa Gorga (New Jersey)
Melissa reportedly makes $750,000 for a season of RHONJ, which isn't too shabby!
8. Vicki Gunvalson (Orange County)
Vicki is the highest paid housewife in Orange County, reportedly making $750,000 each season.
7. Bethenny Frankel (New York)
A feud erupted back in 2016 after it was revealed Bethenny wanted $1.5 million to appear on The Real Housewives of New York City. (Whether or not she got what she wanted hasn't been confirmed.) It's estimated Bethenny Frankel makes closer to $40,000 per episode ($880,000 for 22 episodes), which is still a lot more than what she originally got during season one: $7,250.
6. Teresa Giudice (New Jersey)
Teresa has had her fair share of legal troubles, which (unsurprisingly) makes for good TV. She's said to get $1 million per season, which has the potential to be increased now that her husband, Joe, is getting deported.
5. Denise Richards (Beverly Hills)
In case ya didn't know actress Denise Richards is joining the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, slated to make $4 million to star on the reality show. While that bit of dough is certainly nothing to turn a nose up at, it turns out Denise's salary is for a four-year contract. Breaking it down, she really makes $1 million per season -- which is still a ton of money.
4. Porsha Williams (Atlanta)
After Kenya Moore and Sheree Whitfield were fired from the show, Porsha's salary reportedly jumped from $800,000 per season to $1.25 million.
3. Cynthia Bailey (Atlanta)
It pays to be a housewife -- $1.75 million, to be exact! That's what Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey reported rakes in.
2. Kandi Burruss (Atlanta)
Kandi also benefited from the firing of a few cast members. Her salary went up from a cool $2 million a season to $2.2 million.
1. Nene Leakes (Atlanta)
It turns out that Nene is the highest paid housewife (at least for now), bringing in a whopping $2.7 million per season.
Whoa.
