It still boggles my mind that some of the Real Housewives stars enter into a contract with Bravo, knowing full well they have lied on their taxes or are just struggling with money. Sadly, it is a pretty typical standard in the United States to live above your means and always want the shinier diamonds or bigger mini-mansions. However, the bank always catches up, proving only two things are guaranteed in life—death and taxes. These are the Real Housewives with financial issues that were a major struggle.
NeNe Leakes
The OG star of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, NeNe Leakes, recently had debt collectors pounding at her door. NeNe always claimed she was a “rich bit*h,” but she seemingly overspent on luxury items instead of balancing her checkbook. Currently, NeNe is facing claims of unpaid rent for her fashion boutique, which has since closed. Court documents showed NeNe signed a lease in 2017 and by 2021 had extended the contract for another year.
Her shop closed in January 2022 but she seemed to forget to leave a rent check behind for the unpaid amount of $22,900. The story gets worse—she was reminded of her past-due rent but just chose to ignore the problem, hoping it would go away. The legal troubles keep piling up for Ms. Linnethia.
Teresa Giudice
Teresa Giudice is all about the hustle, and she recently teamed up with the sweatshop company that is Shein. The Jersey girl has found herself in trouble multiple times when it comes to her finances, especially when she once admitted that she never even looked at the books, leaving it all up to her ex-husband, Joe Giudice.
In June, Teresa was slapped with a Federal Tax Lien for $17,061, according to The Sun, for the 2020 and 2021 tax years. Teresa and Joe have over one million dollars in outstanding tax debt, as they have $64,157.64 for 2016 and 2017, $243,425.50 for 2014, and $219,804.38 for 2015. Yikes—a lot of cookbooks need to be sold to cover that bill.
Thankfully, Teresa has started to pay off her debt and has officially wiped away $480,291. In June, Teresa’s lawyer released a statement that read, “Ms. Giudice has been aware of her tax obligations for years and makes significant, timely monthly payments towards her outstanding tax liabilities and will continue to do so until those liabilities do not exist.” So it would seem Teresa will keep agreeing to brand ambassador jobs if it keeps the Feds off her tail.
Lynne Curtin
Lynne Curtin wasn’t the brightest crayon in the box as she, too, let her husband control the purse strings. After her family was served with eviction on the Real Housewives of Orange County, TMZ revealed that the mother of two only had $100 to her name.
Fans will recall Lynne had her own jewelry line, which she claimed only made her $3,000 a year—a mere $8,000 below the poverty line in 2013. Lynne was also in the hole for 30,000 in back taxes from 2009.
Alexis Bellino
It seems Jesus Jugs was far from perfect, as she defaulted on a mortgage payment. For years, Alexis Bellino was a kept woman, wanting for nothing. However, after her divorce, the OC gal had some major money issues.
The problems started when she was still married to Jim Bellino. In 2010 it was reported, via Radar Online, that the couple had defaulted on their $4.5 million home. Alexis tried to sell the home for $3.6 million, but after interest and penalties, they still owed $4.67 million. Eventually, the couple modified their loan, but it forced Alexis to be put on a budget.
Sonja Morgan
Who knew that John Travolta was to blame for all of Sonja Morgan’s money problems? In 2010, Sonja filed for Chapter 11 after sharing with E! that she was $20 million in debt. The outlet revealed that the mother of one had $13.5 million in assets, but her debt exceeded that.
At the time, Sonja alleged that her company, Sonja Productions, and Hannibal Pictures Inc. had agreed to make a film called Fash Flash to Bang Time starring the Grease actor. Evidently, John was a diva, and the movie never happened.
TELL US – WHICH REAL HOUSEWIVES HAVE HAD THE WORST MONEY ISSUES?
