She throws money around as if shes a multi-millionaire, and shes not.
(She disputes that the money was a loan.)
Next, the side-eye of judgment was directed at Jen Pedranti, who has been experiencing financial difficulties herself.
Katie Ginella, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti.Sami Drasin/Bravo
Fans were immediately drawn into the idea of watching the rich be rich.
Not only between co-stars, but between the different shows in the Housewives Universe, too.
It takes something more.
But the franchise also dealt with money problems almost from the start.
), and Tamra Judge had to fire her maid.
In the modern-day Bravo world, the title Housewife has invoked a sense of irony for a while now.
If anything, the notion of being just a housewife is frowned upon.
Its not just about being wealthy but constructing the image of a #GirlBoss.
This can be roughly traced back to Bethenny Frankel.
Bravos biggest star-turned-antagoniststarted out on the show as a (gasp!)
renter who didnt have the old-money status of her co-stars.
In 2011, Frankel sold the cocktail division alone for a reported $100m.
and razor-sharp wit that made her an icon she just happened to get rich while doing it.
Looking at Pedranti now, she is a reminder of how much theHousewivesfranchise has changed.
Shes always been a kept woman or in other words, ahousewife.
She may not be rich, but on the show, shes proving to be a success regardless.
(The couple currently resides in three properties: Orange County, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills.)
Bravo seems to be aware of these demands.
But this season ofRHONYaired to strikingly poor ratings.
Thats a tough task.
At the center ofthe Real HousewivesWealth Divide lies the question: What makes an iconic Real Housewife?
Money is just one of many things that puts someone like Dubrow orRHOBHsLisa Vanderpump among the all-time greats.
Monica Garcia briefly became a fan favorite onRHOSLCdespite having her card declined multiple times on a cast trip.
Its not all about what you have, but how much of your life youre willing to share.
