Alex McCord

Criticized for her desire to be amongst the rich and famous during season 1 of The Real Housewives of New York City, Alex McCord quickly became a fan favorite when she took charge and stood up for herself in season 3.

McCord and her eccentric hubby Simon van Kempen became infamous for loving their Brooklyn lifestyle, but remained largely in the background throughout the show’s first two seasons. They have two sons, Francois and Johan.

By season 3, Alex had become more outspoken, most notably during the beginning of a feud with fellow castmate Jill Zarin. McCord shocked her castmates when she delivered a personal message to Zarin from Zarin’s ex-BFF Bethenny Frankel, in a crowded room. Fed up with Zarin’s antics, McCord delivered one of the series’ best zingers: “You are a mean girl and you are in high school.”

A graphic designer for over nine years, McCord was laid off from her job in visual merchandising in March 2009. She and van Kempen also wrote a book called Little Kids, Big City, released in spring 2010.