Since The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered in 2006, Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has become the stuff of reality TV legend, and a veritable cultural institution. New cities have debuted, the women have cycled in and out of their series, and audiences have stayed hooked along the way. For a look at how far these ladies have come, we're showing you what 30 Real Housewives looked like in their first episodes as full-time or featured cast members, and what they look like now. And for more reality icons, check out our list of The 30 Most Successful Reality TV Personalities of the Last 30 Years.
Real Housewives of New York City Season 1, Episode 1, "Meet the Wives" (March 4, 2008)
At the Walt Disney Television Emmy Party in 2019.
And for some contentious reality stars, these are The 18 Most Hated People in Reality TV History.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 1, Episode 1, "Welcome One, Welcome ATL" (Oct. 7, 2008)
Arriving at Strahan, Sara and Keke in 2019.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 1, Episode 1, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" (Oct. 14, 2010)
At the American Rescue Dog Show at the Fairplex in 2019.
And for surprising reality TV origin stories, discover 20 Super Successful Musicians Who Got Their Start on Reality Shows.
Real Housewives of New Jersey, Season 1, Episode 1, "Thicker Than Water" (May 12, 2009)
At Z100's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in 2019.
Real Housewives of Orange County Season 1, Episode 1, "Meet the Wives" (March 21, 2006)
Arriving at Bravo Con in 2019.
And for more shows that some people can't stand, these are The 15 Most Hated Popular TV Shows.
Real Housewives of Potomac Season 1, Episode 1, "Mind Your Manners" (Jan. 17, 2016)
At the 15th Annual African American Literary Awards in 2019.
Real Housewives of New York City Season 3, Episode 7, "New Girl, Old Money" (April 15, 2010)
At a screening of Impractical Jokers: The Movie in 2020.
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Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 5, Episode 1, "Got Sexy Back" (Nov. 4, 2012)
Arriving at BuzzFeed in 2019.
Real Housewives of New York City Season 1, Episode 1, "Meet the Wives" (March 4, 2008)
At the Food Bank for New York City Can-Do Awards in 2019.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 1, Episode 1, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" (Oct. 14, 2010)
At KIIS FM's iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in 2019.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 1, Episode 1, "Welcome One, Welcome ATL" (Oct. 7, 2008)
Arriving at Watch What Happens Live in 2018.
Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 3, Episode 1, "In the Name of the Father" (May 16, 2011)
At a screening of Hellboy in 2019.
Real Housewives of New York City Season 1, Episode 1, "Meet the Wives" (March 4, 2008)
At the premiere of Crown Vic in 2019.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 2, Episode 1, "New Attitude, Same ATL" (July 30, 2009)
At the 23rd Annual Hollywood Film Awards in 2019.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 1, Episode 1, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" (Oct. 14, 2010)
At the Brent Shapiro Foundation Summer Spectacular in 2019.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 5, Episode 3, "Call Me Miss U.S.A." (Nov. 18, 2012)
Arriving at Good Day New York in 2019.
Real Housewives of Orange County Season 3, Episode 1, "Behind the Orange Curtain" (Nov. 6, 2007)
Arriving at Jerry O' in 2019.
Real Housewives of New Jersey, Season 1, Episode 1, "Thicker Than Water" (May 12, 2009)
At WEtv Launches Bridezillas Museum Of Natural Hysteria in 2018.
Real Housewives of Potomac Season 1, Episode 1, "Mind Your Manners" (Jan. 17, 2016)
At the launch of Urban Skin Rx at Target in 2018.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 2, Episode 4, "Gossip Girls" (Sept. 26, 2011)
At WEtv's "Real Love: Relationship Reality" in 2018.
Real Housewives of Potomac Season 1, Episode 2, "Divas, Queens, and Bubalas" (Jan. 24, 2016)
Arriving at Bravo Con in 2019.
Real Housewives of Orange County Season 9, Episode 1, "Hawaii 5 Uh-Oh" (April 14, 2014)
Arriving at Good Day New York in 2019.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 3, Episode 2, "Model Behavior" (Oct. 11, 2010)
At WEtv's fashion event celebrating Bridezillas in 2019.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 1, Episode 1, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" (Oct. 14, 2010)
At the 26th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala in 2019.
Real Housewives of New York City Season 7, Episode 1, "The B Is Back" (April 7, 2015)
At the Woman's Day Celebrates 17th Annual Red Dress Awards in 2020.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 3, Episode 1, "Down and Left Out in Beverly Hills" (Nov. 5, 2012)
At the Burberry LFW AW20 show in 2020.
Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 1, "Are They for Real?" (Nov. 25, 2008)
At Victoria Siegel Foundation and Greenspoon Marder Present Victoria's Voice: An Evening To Save Lives in 2019.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Season 1, Episode 1, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Wealthiness" (Oct. 14, 2010)
At Star Magazine's Hollywood Rocks in 2017.
Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 1, Episode 1, "Welcome One, Welcome ATL" (Oct. 7, 2008)
At the Maxim Big Game Experience in 2019.
Real Housewives of Orange County Season 1, Episode 1, "Meet the Wives" (March 21, 2006)
At the Real Housewives of Orange County premiere in 2016.
