All the time tragedy struck ‘Real Housewives’ alums including deaths of loved ones

Shocking tragedies of ‘Real Housewives’ including the deaths of Josh Waring and Gregg Leakes

The 'Real Housewives' stars have often shown glimpses of their lives on national media. While their fans cheered on their successes and supported them during their achievements, they also lent a shoulder when the ultimate tragedy happened. In the various installments of 'Real Housewives', fans have sympathized with the stars as they mourned the deaths of their loved ones. 

1.  Josh Waring, ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’

Laurie Peterson of the 'Real Housewives of Orange County' suffered a devastating loss when her 34-year-old son Josh Waring died on Easter Sunday of 2024. The 'RHOOC' alum shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram on April 6, where she wrote, "It is with a shattered heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth Easter Sunday. No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss. Every fiber in my body hurts. Josh fought every single day for most of his adult life, for his life, but this past Sunday, the challenge was too great. Josh’s childhood was filled with deep intellect, humor, pranks, athletics, snow boarding, body boarding mountain hikes, reading, friends and his love for music. Even during adult hardship, Josh continued to maintain his sense of humor, continued to be optimistic, continued to be kind to others, defended those that were unable to defend themselves and continued to love his family so so much!" Fans of the show have previously seen Josh struggling with substance asuse disorder when Laurie was appearing at the show. She continued in her tribute, "Not everyone understands those suffering from substance abuse disorder, but I am forever grateful for your understanding and the impact you made on his life." before adding, "Heaven has gained the coolest angel and you have gained your freedom at last sweet boy. Love always and forever, Mom ❤️❤️🤍🤍 Joshua-Michael Phillip Waring 12/20/88-3/31/24."

2. Gregg Leakes, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’

The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star NeNe Leakes was left bereaved when her husband Gregg Leakes died aged 66, in September 2021 after battling cancer. The fans of the show witnessed their romance from seasons one through seven and then again from 10 through 12. After his death, a publicist told the Us Weekly in a statement, “Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart. After a long battle with cancer, Gregg Leakes has passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all of his children, very close loved ones and wife Nene Leakes,” and added, “We ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family & allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time.”

3. Dennis Shields, ‘The Real Housewives of New York’

The 'Real Housewives of New York' alum Bethenny Frankel's boyfriend Dennis Shields was found dead in his Trump Tower apartment in August 2018 after a suspected overdose. Shields, who dated Frankel on and off from 2016 to 2018, was only 51 during the time of his death. Addressing his death during an episode of 'RHONY", the Skinnygirl founder said, “I mean, it’s really brutal. He was really someone that I went to for everything. So him being gone is a massive void. I really can’t believe he’s gone.”

4. Bobby Zarin, ‘The Real Housewives of New York’

Another 'Real Housewives of New York' alum who had to face the tragedy of losing a partner is Jill Zarin when her husband Bobby Zarin died in 2018. Bobby was 71 when he died in 2018 after battling cancer. Bobby had a tumultuous battle with cancer - first in 2009 when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After his thyroid was removed, her cancer came back in 2013 and spread to his lungs. He was also diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016. 

5. Russell Armstrong, ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’

The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Taylor Armstrong's estranged husband Russell Armstrong died by suicide just a month after Taylor filed for divorce in July 2011. He was 47 when he died. Taylor reflected on his death a decade later and told Us Weekly, “I knew that I had to survive and make it through so that I could take care of [my now-18-year-old daughter Kennedy]. Kennedy was my first and foremost concern and I just day by day is all I can tell you,” before adding, “It was one disappointment after the other, as things were unfolding. I would just get calls from the attorneys and it was never anything positive.”

6. Ashley 'AJ' Jewell, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’

The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' alum Kandi Burruss suffered a major loss when her ex-fiance Ashley 'AJ' Jewell died in 2009. He was 34-year-old when he suffered a fatal injury during a fight at an Atlanta strip club. Burrus tweeted during that time, “I could never in a million years imagine this happening,” before adding, “Please pray for A.J.’s children…that’s who I’m the most concerned for. I’m about to give my swollen eyes some rest now.”