Danielle Staub

Danielle Staub, born Beverly Ann Merrill, was born on July 29, 1962 in Wayne, N.J., and is best known as a former star of the Bravo reality series the Real Housewives of New Jersey.

The former model, divorcee and single mother to daughters Christine and Jillian, Staub is known for her upfront and honest comments. In May 2010, she released a book, The Naked Truth, where she comes clean about her muddy past.

Staub claimed “domestic violence” at the hands of her ex-husband, Kevin Maher, whom she wed in 1988. Maher sued his ex-wife in October 2009 for $5 million over the accusations she made against him.

In 2010, a sex tape of Staub was leaked. Staub’s costar, Jacqueline Laurita, accused her of releasing the sex tape on her own, but Staub had no comment on the scandal.

Staub released her first single, “Real Close,” in June 2010.