'Real Housewives' Salaries Revealed: Who Is The Highest-Paid Star?

The stars of the "Real Housewives" franchise undoubtedly live luxurious lives, and viewers know they are more than their husbands’ wives.

Some of the Bravo franchise's stars who started off earning thousands of dollars are now getting paid millions per season following the success of the first show that premiered in March 2006, "Real Housewives of Orange County." The first show's popularity resulted in spin-off series located in New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, D.C., Beverly Hills, Miami, Potomac, Dallas and Salt Lake City.

Here are the highest-earning "Real Housewives" stars as of 2021, according to ScreenRant and Celebrity Net Worth.

5. Phaedra Parks

Fifth on this list is Phaedra Parks, who reportedly received $1.3 million for her last season of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Parks, who has a net worth of $6 million, joined "RHOA" in Season 3 but left in 2017 after an explosive Season 9, in which Porsha Williams accused her of knowingly spreading lies about castmate Kandi Burruss.

She earned her fortune mainly through her work as an attorney and as a managing partner of Atlanta-based law firm Parks Group. ?The former reality star is also a successful businesswoman, media personality, motivational speaker and author.

Parks filed for divorce from ex-husband Apollo Nida in October 2014 after nearly five years of marriage and four seasons on "RHOA." The exes, who share two sons, finalized their divorce in 2017 after battling over spousal support and properties

4. Porsha Williams

Porsha Williams, who joined the franchise during Season 5, reportedly made $1.3 million for "RHOA" Season 12. She was still married to ex-NFL player Kordell Stewart when she first appeared on the show, but the two divorced in 2013 after two years of marriage.

After appearing in nine seasons, the 40-year-old announced in September that she is leaving the show, People reported.

Williams’ net worth is estimated to be around $400,000, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She was on the Fox show "Dish Nation" for eight years, joining during its second season in 2013 and announcing her departure this August. She also appeared in "The New Celebrity Apprentice" and "Sharknado 5: Global Swarming."

3. Cynthia Bailey

Fashion model, actress and businesswoman Cynthia Bailey, who has been a full-time cast member of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" since 2010, is the third highest-earning star of the franchise.

The 54-year-old reality TV star, who has a net worth of $2.5 million, reportedly earned $1.8 million per season of the Bravo series.

In October, however, she announced her decision to exit "RHOA" after 11 years on the show.

Bailey was previously married to Peter Thomas from 2010 to 2017. She moved on with Mike Hill, with whom she got engaged in July 2019. They tied the knot during a lavish wedding ceremony at the Governors Towne Club in Acworth, Georgia, in October last year.

2. Kandi Burruss

Singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss, who first joined "Real Housewives of Atlanta" in its second season in 2009, is reportedly earning $2.3 million per season, according to Reality Blurb.

Bravo has been able to keep Burruss on the main roster for almost 13 years. She has been confirmed to be a part of the "RHOA" Season 14 cast.

The Grammy-winning artist, who first became famous as a member of the group Xscape, founded her own record label, Kandi Koated Entertainment. She is now worth an estimated $30 million.

1. NeNe Leakes

Actress and entrepreneur NeNe Leakes is the highest-paid Housewife. For "RHOA" Season 12, Leakes' last appearance, she earned an estimated $2.85 million.

Leakes debuted on the show in 2008 and appeared for seven seasons. She left the series after Season 7 to focus on other business ventures. She returned for Seasons 10, 11 and 12 and quit before Season 13.

The 54-year-old reality star has a net worth of $14 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.