Vicki Gunvalson

Vicki Gunvalson is a reality TV star best known as an original cast member of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County. Gunvalson was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She briefly attended Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, and later earned her insurance license while raising her family in the suburbs.

Gunvalson began her professional career in the insurance industry, eventually founding her own company, Coto Insurance and Financial Services. She rose to fame in 2006 as part of the original cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County, where she remained a central figure for 14 seasons. Her famous nickname, “OG of the OC,” was a result of being the longest-running original Housewife across the franchise.

In addition to RHOC, Gunvalson has appeared on shows like Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Entertainment Tonight and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in 2022. She also launched her own podcast, “Reality with Vicki,” and has made appearances at fan conventions and reality TV events.

Gunvalson was married to Michael Wolfsmith from 1982 to 1991. The two share children Briana Culberson (born in 1987) and Michael Wolfsmith Jr. (born in 1986). She later wed Donn Gunvalson in 1994, and the couple divorced in 2014 due to infidelity. She was in a relationship with Brooks Ayers until 2015 and later got engaged to Steve Lodge, though the engagement ended in 2021. Gunvalson confirmed a new relationship with Michael Smith in 2023.