{"id":91075,"date":"2024-04-18T22:13:30","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T22:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/18\/real-housewives-deaths-most-shocking-tragedies-in-the-franchise\/"},"modified":"2024-04-18T22:13:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T22:13:30","slug":"real-housewives-deaths-most-shocking-tragedies-in-the-franchise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/18\/real-housewives-deaths-most-shocking-tragedies-in-the-franchise\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Housewives Deaths: Most Shocking Tragedies in the Franchise"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Courtesy of Lauri Peterson\/Instagram; Tasos Katopodis\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fans of the Real Housewives<\/em><\/a> series have come to know and love not only the cast members of the Bravo franchises, but their spouses, kids and other loved ones \u2013 which makes their deaths hit harder.<\/p>\n

Real Housewives of Orange County<\/em> alum Lauri Peterson<\/strong> shared in April 2024 that she was mourning the death of her son<\/a>, Josh Waring<\/strong>, who appeared on the show alongside her. (Peterson was a main cast member during seasons 1 through 4 and appeared as a guest and friend throughout the series.)<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss,\u201d the former reality personality wrote via Instagram. \u201cEvery 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though no cause of death has been confirmed, Waring\u2019s sister, Ashley Zarlin<\/strong>, alleged that<\/a> her brother\u2019s lifelong struggle with addiction played a role in his death. Fans of the reality series saw Waring\u2019s substance abuse issues play out on screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Easter Sunday, I lost my brother to the relentless grip of addiction,\u201d she wrote. \u201cIt\u2019s a disease that distorts and destroys, leaving behind shattered dreams and broken hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued, \u201cHe was brilliant and had limitless potential, but addiction veered him off course. My heart aches for the lost opportunities for us to grow together as adults, to share laughter and dreams, the conversations that we will never get to have, and the dreams that will be left unfulfilled.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep scrolling to read about the heartbreaking losses of those in the Housewives<\/em> franchises.<\/p>\n

Gregg Leakes, \u2018The Real Housewives of Atlanta\u2019<\/h3>\n

Gregg, whose relationship with wife NeNe was documented on RHOA<\/em> from seasons 1 through 7 and seasons 10 through 12, died in September 2021<\/a> after battling cancer. He was 66 years old.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Former \u2018Real Housewives of Atlanta\u2019 Stars: Where Are They Now?<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Real Housewives of Atlanta has said goodbye to many cast members since its Bravo debut in 2008 \u2014 but there\u2019s always a chance they could return. For instance, original RHOA star NeNe Leakes left the show in season 7 before rejoining the cast in 2018. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long process but we\u2019ve finally reached [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cToday 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,\u201d a publicist for the Bravo alum told Us Weekly<\/em> in a statement at the time. \u201cWe ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family & allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gregg and NeNe originally wed in 1997, but after 14 years of marriage, the Glee<\/em> alum filed for divorce from Gregg and the proceedings were made final in 2011. The pair eventually reconciled, tying the knot for a second time in 2013.<\/p>\n

Dennis Shields, \u2018The Real Housewives of New York\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\n Dennis Shields and Bethenny Frankel<\/span> Alessio Botticelli\/GC Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Shields, who dated longtime cast member Bethenny Frankel<\/strong> on and off from 2016 to 2018, was found dead at age 51 in his Trump Tower apartment in August 2018 after a suspected overdose, though no cause of death has been confirmed. (An autopsy was not performed<\/a> for religious reasons, Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, MD, PhD, said in a statement at the time.)<\/p>\n

Frankel addressed Shields\u2019 death while sitting down with a therapist in an episode of RHONY<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, it\u2019s really brutal,\u201d she said. \u201cHe was really someone that I went to for everything. So him being gone is a massive void. I really can\u2019t believe he\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Russell Armstrong, \u2018The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills\u2019<\/h3>\n

Russell, who was married to RHOBH<\/em> cast member Taylor Armstrong<\/strong> from 2005 to 2011, died by suicide at age 47 one month after Taylor filed for divorce in July 2011. In her filing, she alleged she was physically and verbally abused by Russell.<\/p>\n

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\n Russell Armstrong and Taylor Armstrong<\/span> David Livingston\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While speaking to Us Weekly<\/em><\/a> in 2022, Taylor reflected on dealing with the aftermath of her ex-husband\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew that I had to survive and make it through so that I could take care of [my now-18-year-old daughter Kennedy<\/strong>]. Kennedy was my first and foremost concern and I just day by day is all I can tell you,\u201d she shared. \u201cIt was one disappointment after the other, as things were unfolding. I would just get calls from the attorneys and it was never anything positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashley \u201cA.J.\u201d Jewell, \u2018The Real Housewives of Atlanta\u2019<\/h3>\n

Kandi Burruss<\/strong>\u2018 ex-fianc\u00e9 died after suffering a head injury during a fight at an Atlanta strip club in 2009. He was 34 years old.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>These Celebs Love \u2018The Real Housewives\u2019<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tNicki Minaj and Rihanna are self-proclaimed Real Housewives superfans \u2014 and they\u2019re not alone. In July 2021, Minaj revealed via social media that she would love to host the Real Housewives of Potomac reunion, which host Andy Cohen supported. \u201cI want to see this!\u201d he wrote in the comments section of Minaj\u2019s post. Several cast [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI could never in a million years imagine this happening,\u201d Burruss tweeted at the time. \u201cPlease pray for A.J.\u2019s children\u2026that\u2019s who I\u2019m the most concerned for. I\u2019m about to give my swollen eyes some rest now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Josh Waring, \u2018The Real Housewives of Orange County\u2019<\/h3>\n

Waring died in April 2024. He was 35 years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with a shattered heart that I write this post to let you know that my sweet Josh left this earth Easter Sunday,\u201d mom Peterson wrote via Instagram. \u201cNo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans of the longest-running Housewives<\/em> franchise watched Waring struggle with substance abuse during Peterson\u2019s run on the show. She appeared as a main cast member in seasons 1 through 4 and was featured as a guest and friend during seasons 5 and 8, respectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart is with you and I pray you have found the peace that you so deserve,\u201d Peterson continued in her tribute to her late son. \u201cHeaven has gained the coolest angel and you have gained your freedom at last sweet boy. Love always and forever, Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bobby Zarin, \u2018The Real Housewives of New York\u2019<\/h3>\n
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\n Bobby Zarin and Jill Zarin<\/span> Eugene Gologursky\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RHONY<\/em> alum Jill Zarin<\/strong>\u2018s husband Bobby died in 2018<\/a> after battling cancer. He was 71 years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the heaviest of hearts, we are devastated to share the news that our beloved Bobby Zarin passed away peacefully today surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer,\u201d the family said in a statement. \u201cThere are no words to describe how heartbroken we are. Thank you, everyone for all your love, and support during this difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n

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