Given its mainstay status in the cultural zeitgeist, it's hard to believe The Real Housewives franchise started on Bravo in 2006 with the premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County. The series was such a success the network rolled out ten more installments in the U.S., but that number has changed over the years. The franchise chronicles the lives of affluent women with an emphasis on the relationships between the cast .
The series is the subject of countless parodies, has been the catalyst for numerous spinoffs, and features a revolving door of cast . The Real Housewives rely on the chemistry of its stars, meaning one casting decision can make or break a season. While a Housewife's stance in the series can shift from a dark side to a redemption arc within a season, it's fun to pick the best and worst Housewives of all time.
Most Hated Housewives
Diana Jenkins (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
There was excitement when Diana Jenkins ed The Real Housewives of Beverly because of her vast wealth and connections around Hollywood. However, an unsavory side of Diana was shown once the season began. Due to Diana’s rude comments to Sutton Stracke and her unwavering of Erika Jayne, she ostracized herself, and Diana did not return to RHOBH for another season.
Jen Shah (The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City)
Jen Shah was another Housewife who hit the ground running since the start of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. As a newer franchise, no one knew what to expect of the women of Salt Lake City, but they fell for Jen fast. Episode by episode, Jen's true self came out and shocked everyone. Jen was sentenced to six years in prison for wire fraud and was recently spotted in her prison uniform for the first time at the facility where she's serving time.
Siggy Flicker (The Real Housewives of New Jersey)
Siggy Flicker only lasted two seasons on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but she's still talked about today. She started the series with so much promise and was a champion for women and a friend loyal to a fault. However, Siggy was also hyper-dramatic and made the smallest of issues into monstrosities. RHONJ's vacation to her "hometown" of Boca Raton was one of the best vacations because of how dramatic it was. It wound up being one of the more drawn-out storylines in the show. By RHONJ season 8, Siggy was detested by most of the cast for her obnoxious behavior and was fired shortly after.
Erika Jayne (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
Erika was a favorite on RHOBH. Her blunt personality and alter-ego made her a standout during her first season. She quickly became close with Lisa Rinna and Kyle Richards, solidifying her role in the series. Things took a turn, however, in RHOBH season 11, when it was announced that she was divorcing her husband, Tom Girardi, of 20 years. Not only did her once successful lawyer husband steal millions from victims, but it's been alleged that she may have known about the scheme. Erika has sadly taken a fall from grace.
Kelly Dodd (The Real Housewives of Orange County)
When Kelly Dodd ed the cast of RHOC season 14, she was ready to mix it up. Kelly fights often, and when it comes to going below the belt, she hits her mark every time. Kelly threw Shannon Beador's marital problems in her face, referred to Vicki Gunvalson as a pig, and told a pregnant Meghan King (née Edmonds) her husband was having an affair. Kelly believes there are no rules when it comes to fighting, which is why she's one of the most hated Housewives.
Brandi Glanville (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
Not well-liked when she ed the show during RHOBH season 2, Brandi Glanville found an unlikely kindred spirit in Lisa Vanderpump despite Brandi's provocative behavior. Brandi's relationships with the women deteriorated as her antics escalated. She threw wine in Eileen Davidson's face, accused Kim Richards of doing drugs, and revealed Adrienne Maloof used a surrogate to give birth to her twins. Brandi's bad behavior turned her from must-see TV into a liability and didn't return for RHOBH season 6. However, she returned for more fights on The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip.
Danielle Staub (The Real Housewives of New Jersey)
Danielle Staub tried to fit into the Manzo-Laurita family on RHONJ, but her attempts were rebuffed. After they dug up Danielle's shady past, things got ugly in RHONJ season 1, culminating in the legendary table-flipping incident. By RHONJ season 2, Danielle became even more obsessed with her outsider status, causing chaos, instigating a physical altercation, and filing charges against Jacqueline Laurita's daughter. Danielle tried to spin a narrative where she's the victim, but her actions spoke for themselves.
Aviva Dresser (The Real Housewives of New York City)
Aviva Dresser, a hypochondriac with a litany of phobias, initially got along well with her fellow cast during The Real Housewives of New York City season 5. Between Aviva's constant need for validation, her co-dependent relationship with her husband, and her disapproval of the other women's lifestyle choices, she soon found herself at odds with Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan, calling them "white trash." During her second season, she accused author Carole Radziwill of using a ghostwriter, leading to multiple shouting matches and lingering bad blood. Aside from being tightly wound, Aviva's best known for removing her prosthetic leg and throwing it on a table during a confrontation.
Vicki Gunvalson (The Real Housewives of Orange County)
Throughout 14 seasons, the only thing Vicki loved more than whooping it up was spreading vicious lies about other cast . Since Vicki is an original Housewife with one of the longest runs before leaving the series, she had an air about her that made her seem better than her costars. Due to of her poor attitude and involvement with Brooks Ayers' cancer scam, Vicki will never live down some dramatic moments and is one of the most hated Housewives.
Most Loved Housewives
Tiffany Moon (The Real Housewives of Dallas)
Tiffany Moon was a guest before becoming a Housewife for The Real Housewives of Dallas season 5. Tiffany was the first Asian-American cast member and broke the mold as an exceptional anesthesiologist. She graduated from college at 19 and from medical school at 23. Her smarts and beauty were exactly what RHOD needed. While Tiffany had a great season, she constantly defended herself and corrected the women regarding race and gender. By the end of the season, it was rumored that the drama was too much for Tiffany. Regardless of the dramatic storylines, Bravo decided to cancel RHOD.
Kandi Burruss (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Kandi Burruss ed The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 2 and quickly became one of the likable Atlanta Housewives. Her level-headed points of view and one-liners make her a standout in the series. Kandi's a self-made singer, songwriter, and businesswoman who never needed the show to be successful. Additionally, Kandi's home life with her husband and mother grows for the better throughout the show.
Eboni K. Williams (The Real Housewives of New York City)
Eboni K. Williams was the newest Housewife on RHONY season 13. While Ebony was loved for her diversity and points of view, she wasn't enough to save the franchise. The season was one of RHONY's worst-rated, so the network paused it. At BravoCon, it was revealed that RHONY had a brand new 2023 cast. While Eboni isn't a part of the new cast, she earned a new fanbase during her time on the show.
Lisa Vanderpump (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
Not only is Lisa happily married, but she's also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. Lisa, an original cast member of RHOBH, left when she had a fallout with her former best friend Kyle during RHOBH season 9. Lisa had her villainous moments and was often accused by other cast of being a master manipulator who managed to create drama while never getting her hands dirty. Lisa tried to rise above the nonsense, but it didn't always work. Despite her reserved demeanor, Lisa had a wicked sense of humor, loved to have a good time, and did her best always to keep it classy.
Bethenny Frankel (The Real Housewives of New York)
Brash, sarcastic, and brutally honest, Bethenny Frankel became The Real Housewives' rags-to-riches story. The personal chef turned Skinnygirl mogul appeared on RHONY seasons 1-3, exiting the show to focus on her successful lifestyle brand and to star in her spinoff that chronicled her rocky relationship with her former husband, Jason Hoppy. Bethenny returned to the RHONY in season 7 (before leaving again in season 11), where she struggled with a nasty public divorce, raising her daughter, running her business, and finding time to bond and bicker with her castmates. Her most memorable moments are big fights with Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Kelly Bensimon, and bestie-turned-frenemy Carole Radziwill.
NeNe Leakes (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Another OG Housewife, NeNe Leakes from RHOA, was essential to the first eight seasons. She took a break in RHOA season 9 before returning for three more seasons. However, NeNe bumped heads with Bravo and has not been on the series since. Regarding her former castmates, NeNe's attitude was "Love 'em or leave 'em," as every season brought a new conflict with NeNe at the epicenter. Due to her Queen Bee status, NeNe was a beloved Housewife for years.
Ramona Singer (The Real Housewives of New York)
Ramona's volatile behavior has earned her the nicknames the "Singer Stinger, the "Ramonacoaster," and the "Apologizer." When it comes to taking down her castmates, nothing is off-limits. Ramona can be awful at times, but she endured a humiliating public split from her husband. She's also capable of great empathy towards other women during times of crisis.
Teresa Giudice (The Real Housewives of New Jersey)
Teresa Giudice almost single-handedly put RHONJ on the map. Whether flipping tables or flipping out on her sister-in-law or former pals Jacqueline and Caroline Manzo, Teresa never backs down from a good fight. At the same time, many Housewives make headlines; Teresa and her ex-husband Joe Giudice's legal woes pale compared to her onscreen drama.
Cynthia Bailey (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Cynthia Bailey ed for RHOA season 3 and was a part of important moments until she left the series in RHOA season 13. Fans saw her ups and downs with her ex-husband Peter Thomas, life as a single mother, and her ongoing scuffles between NeNe and Kenya Moore. While Cynthia’s storylines became lackluster in the end, she's still among the most-liked Housewives.
Karen Huger (The Real Housewives of Potomac)
For good reason, Karen Huger refers to herself as the Grande Dame on The Real Housewives of Potomac. She's the Lisa Vanderpump of Potomac and lives a luxurious life with her husband and children. Karen didn’t have the best first season, but she's now one of the most loved Housewives. Between her one-liners and hilarious reactions to different storylines, Karen is entertaining to watch. Like Ramona, however, Karen has a villainous streak that can peak out sometimes, but that’s what makes a great The Real Housewife.
