The Real Housewives franchise is full of luxury real estate, designer duds, and incredibly over-the-top events. But the dark side of the glamorous lifestyle is even more common, with countless Housewives facing foreclosures, lawsuits, and even jail sentences. Across every city in the franchise, you’ll find that at least a few of the stars neglected to pay their taxes and/or rent.
Having debt in and of itself isn’t surprising in this economy, but the amounts these ladies owe are truly staggering. We’re looking at the Housewives who are the most in the red financially.
Teresa Giudice
Perhaps the poster child of Real Housewives with the most debt, Teresa Giudice has a long history of tax issues. Since 2000, Tre racked up $1 million in tax debt. She claimed that was mostly due to ex-husband Joe Giudice.
It seems old habits die hard, because earlier this year, the Real Housewives of New Jersey OG once again made headlines for owing back taxes. However, Teresa’s attorney issued a statement insisting his client is making a solid effort to pay off her debts. But she still has a long way to go. She even admitted to hoping Joe can come back to the United States to give her a hand financially.
Kim Zolciak
Kim Zolciak and her on-again/off-again husband Kroy Biermann owe so many different debts at this point, it’s hard to keep up. There seems to be a new lawsuit against the former Real Housewives of Atlanta stars every day.
Most recently, Kim and Kroy were sued for over $230K by their bank. They owe at least a million to the IRS. Kim’s gambling addiction surely isn’t helping. Neither is that $30K she just spent on vaginal rejuvenation surgery.
It seems financial trouble runs in the family, because Kim’s eldest daughter, Brielle Biermann, was recently sued by American Express over an unpaid credit card bill.
Nene Leakes
Kim’s frenemy and former co-star NeNe Leakes also has a history of getting into steep financial trouble. The RHOA alum owed $820k to the IRS in 2016. Recently, it was reported that she owes unpaid rent for her fashion boutique.
Erika Jayne
Erika Jayne seems to be the Real Housewife who currently has the most debt. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star’s financial woes keep making the news, with estranged husband Tom Girardi owing $101 million.
Erika’s debts include a $25 million lawsuit, in which she was accused of knowingly using Tom’s law firm to fund her lifestyle. Considering she literally has a song called “XXXPENSIVE” and once bragged about spending $40K a month on glam, that seems to check out. And last year, it was reported that Erika owes $2.2 million in taxes. Despite all of her debts, and all of the victims Tom owes money to, Erika’s biggest concern remains her beloved diamond earrings.
Erika’s debt has earned tons of headlines, but she’s not the only RHOBH star with tax trouble. Dorit Kemsley and husband PK, the couple Erika memorably predicted would be the next to split, once owed the IRS $1.3 million.
Jen Shah
Jen Shah‘s legal and financial woes didn’t go away once she started her prison sentence. Over the summer, it was reported that Jen owes her lawyer over $124K in unpaid legal fees and expenses. Jen and husband Sharrieff Shah were reportedly contacted about the fees at least six times before the lawsuit was filed. Neither of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alums responded.
Karen Huger
Karen Huger and husband Ray “The Black Bill Gates” Huger’s tax issues were a major storyline in Real Housewives of Potomac Season 3. But the RHOP star refused to let that diminish her self-appointed Grand Dame status. As Karen memorably told co-star Robyn Dixon, “you gotta MAKE millions to OWE millions!” Karen and Ray did, indeed, owe millions. According to a 2017 Washington Post article, their debt was at least $1.5 million. A year later, Karen claimed everything was paid off and settled.
Brynn Whitfield
The newest Bravolebrity on our list, Real Housewives of New York reboot star Brynn Whitfield reportedly owes $30,000 in taxes. She was also evicted from a former apartment in 2014 after failing to pay $7,000 in rent. Thankfully, she got to stay in her current pad that RHONY viewers salivated over.
Brynn’s history of falling into debt should further dispute the fan theories about her having sugar daddies. We’ll see if these bad financial habits change now that she’s in the spotlight. But judging from the other Real Housewives with the most debt on this list, fame could only make those problems worse.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED BY ANY OF THE REAL HOUSEWIVES WHO HAVE THE MOST DEBT? WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY REAL HOUSEWIVES FAIL TO PAY THEIR TAXES AND RENT?
