Heartbreaking Losses: The Most Devastating Deaths Among 'Real Housewives' Cast

Real Housewives Tragedies The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Courtesy of Lauri Peterson/Instagram; Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Fans of the Real Housewives series have grown attached to not just the cast members, but also their family members and loved ones. This connection makes it even more heartbreaking when a death occurs.

In April 2024, Lauri Peterson, a former main cast member of Real Housewives of Orange County, shared the tragic news of her son Josh Waring's passing. Josh had appeared on the show alongside his mother during her time on seasons 1 through 4, and continued to make guest appearances throughout the series.

The former reality personality shared on Instagram about the overwhelming feeling of loss. Every part of their being aches as they mourn the passing of Josh, who fought bravely against challenges for most of his adult life. Unfortunately, this past Sunday, the battle became too difficult.

While the cause of death is still unknown, Waring's sister, Ashley Zarlin, mentioned that his lifelong battle with addiction may have contributed to his passing. Viewers of the reality show witnessed Waring's struggles with substance abuse unfold on screen.

On Easter Sunday, my brother succumbed to the overpowering hold of addiction. It’s a cruel disease that twists and ruins, causing shattered dreams and heartbreak.

He was a remarkable person with endless possibilities, but addiction derailed his path. I grieve for the missed chances for us to mature together, to enjoy moments of joy and shared goals, the talks that will never happen, and the aspirations that will remain unrealized.

Keep scrolling to read about the heartbreaking losses of those in the Housewives franchises.

Gregg Leakes, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’

Gregg, who was known for his relationship with wife NeNe on RHOA from seasons 1 through 7 and seasons 10 through 12, passed away in September 2021 after battling cancer. He was 66 years old.

A publicist for the Bravo alum shared, "Today the Leakes family is experiencing deep pain and a broken heart. After a long struggle with cancer, Gregg Leakes peacefully passed away in his home, surrounded by all of his children, close loved ones, and wife Nene Leakes. We kindly ask for your prayers for peace and strength for their family, and to respect their privacy as they grieve during this incredibly difficult time."

Dennis Shields, ‘The Real Housewives of New York’

Gregg and NeNe got married in 1997. However, after 14 years of marriage, they got divorced in 2011. Luckily, the couple reunited and got married again in 2013.

Real Housewives Tragedies The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Dennis Shields and Bethenny Frankel Alessio Botticelli/GC Images

Shields, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with longtime cast member Bethenny Frankel from 2016 to 2018, was found dead at the age of 51 in his Trump Tower apartment in August 2018. The cause of his death was suspected to be an overdose, but no official confirmation was made as an autopsy was not performed for religious reasons, according to Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, MD, PhD.

Frankel opened up about Shields' passing during a therapy session in an episode of RHONY.

Remembering Russell Armstrong from 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'

"It's just so tough," she expressed. "He was my go-to person for everything. His absence has left a huge void in my life. It's still hard to believe that he's no longer with us."

Russell was married to RHOBH cast member Taylor Armstrong from 2005 to 2011. Sadly, he passed away by suicide at the age of 47 just one month after Taylor filed for divorce in July 2011. In her divorce filing, Taylor claimed that she had suffered physical and verbal abuse from Russell.

Real Housewives Tragedies The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Russell Armstrong and Taylor Armstrong David Livingston/Getty Images

While speaking to We in 2022, Taylor reflected on dealing with the aftermath of her ex-husband’s death.

Ashley “A.J.” Jewell, ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’

During a challenging time in my life, my main focus was on surviving for the sake of my 18-year-old daughter, Kennedy. Each day was a struggle, and I could only take things one day at a time. The disappointments kept coming as I dealt with unfolding events, receiving negative calls from attorneys that added to the stress.

Kandi Burruss‘ ex-fiancé passed away in 2009 after getting into a fight at an Atlanta strip club which resulted in a fatal head injury. He was 34 years old.

Burruss took to Twitter to express her shock and grief, stating, “I could never in a million years imagine this happening. 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.”

Josh Waring, ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’

Waring died in April 2024. He was 35 years old.

Mom Peterson shared on Instagram that her beloved Josh passed away on Easter Sunday, leaving her heartbroken. She expressed the deep pain and loss she feels, as Josh fought hard for his life every day but the battle became too difficult on that fateful Sunday.

During her time on the show, fans saw Waring dealing with substance abuse issues. Peterson was a main cast member in seasons 1 to 4 and later made appearances as a guest and friend in seasons 5 and 8.

Tribute to Late Son

Peterson continued her tribute to her late son, expressing her heartfelt condolences. "My heart is with you and I pray you have found the peace that you so deserve," she wrote. "Heaven has gained the coolest angel and you have gained your freedom at last sweet boy. Love always and forever, Mom."

Remembering Bobby Zarin from ‘The Real Housewives of New York’

Real Housewives Tragedies The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Bobby Zarin and Jill Zarin Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

RHONY alum Jill Zarin‘s husband Bobby passed away in 2018 at the age of 71 after fighting cancer.

The family released a statement saying, "With heavy hearts, we are saddened to announce that our dear Bobby Zarin peacefully passed away today, surrounded by loved ones, after bravely battling cancer. We are devastated beyond words. Thank you all for your love and support during this tough time."

Lou Knickerbocker, a cast member of ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’, Bobby got married to Jill in the year 2000. He was initially diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009, which led to the removal of his thyroid. Unfortunately, the cancer came back in 2013 and spread to his lungs. In 2016, he received the devastating news of being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Lou, the ex-husband of RHOC alum Tammy Knickerbocker, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 67 in 2007, during the break between season 2 and 3 of the Bravo series. The former couple has two daughters, Lindsey and Megan, who were also part of the show.

After Lou's death, Tammy shared in a blog post via Bravo that her main focus was supporting her daughters through the loss of their father. She expressed gratitude for being able to dedicate the time and energy needed to help them cope with the situation, as she had previously been preoccupied with the challenges of her own life.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the tragic loss of loved ones by cast members of the popular reality television series, "The Real Housewives." It highlights the emotional turmoil and profound grief experienced by Lauri Peterson after the untimely passing of her son, Josh Waring. The article also sheds light on the struggles with addiction that contributed to Waring's death, a topic that the show had previously documented.

Furthermore, the article brings to attention the heart-wrenching losses of other individuals associated with the Housewives franchises. It recounts the passing of Gregg Leakes, Dennis Shields, Russell Armstrong, Ashley "A.J." Jewell, Bobby Zarin, and Lou Knickerbocker. Each loss represents a unique story of love, heartbreak, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The article serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact that loss can have on those left behind.