The Real Businesses Behind the Real Housewives: Why These Women Are Worth More Than Their TV Taglines

While they're famous for being on reality television, they also run successful business behind the scenes

By Samantha Schnurr Jul 01, 2016 11:00 AMTags
Bethenny Frankel, Skinnygirl, Real Housewives BusinessesGilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

While their drama unfolds for all to see on television, behind-the-scenes these women are calling the shots. 

The famous housewives of the Real Housewives franchise may have found fame for their quarrels with co-stars and marital woes, but when the cameras shut off, they are busy making decisions that impact lucrative personal businesses.

Take the Real Housewives of New York's Bethenny Frankel. Perhaps the most famous of the female reality entrepreneurs, the chef launched Skinnygirl cocktails all while she was simultaneously juggling her castmates' bickering. 

The 45-year-old mother ultimately sold the diet-friendly alcohol company to Beam Global for reportedly millions and millions of dollars, though an exact amount has never been disclosed. 

read
The Art of the Side Gig: How Jessica Simpson, Bethenny Frankel and More Turned Passions Into Paychecks
Instagram

Frankel is not the only one to try—and succeed—in entrepreneurship. Whether it's a training gym, a jewelry line or an insurance firm, the ladies have taken business into their manicured hands in pursuit of their passions. 

Visit E!'s gallery of the Real Housewives' real businesses to learn more about the women's special enterprises.

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Watch: Bethenny Frankel Debuts Red Hair for Skinnygirl Candy