How Much Is RHOBH's Taylor Armstrong Really Worth?
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This article includes mentions of domestic violence and suicide.
Taylor Armstrong has made a name and a fortune for herself working in reality television. Her 88 appearances on the hit television series "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" certainly contribute to the mother of one's acquisition of an estimated $2.5 million net worth. Armstrong's penchant for turning "housewifing" into a bonafide artform translates to a lucrative career, but her path to millionaire status hasn't been without its fair share of ups and downs.
Armstrong's journey in life is one that would result in whiplash for most people, but not for her. Never one to settle into the dust and accept defeat, this housewife knows what it takes to dig in, transform herself when necessary, and rise from the ashes, all while the public looks on. Armstrong proves that if ever the award of "Comeback Kid" were given to a Bravo housewife, she would be a top runner for that coveted title, if not the obvious winner.
Taylor Armstrong has shown herself and the world that hard times don't last forever, fairytale endings really do happen, and it can all be achieved while looking absolutely fabulous.
Taylor Armstrong's early life
Bravo housewives come from all walks of life. Some, like Jackie Goldschneider and Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, grew up with family money and stayed in that pocket of wealth well into their adult years. Others, Taylor Armstrong included, grew up without a silver spoon in their mouths, working their way into the ranks and lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Armstrong was born Shana Lynette Hughes in Independence, Kansas. Her parents, once high school sweethearts, had a tumultuous marriage, ending when Armstrong was three years old. In the first chapter of her book, "Hiding From Reality," Armstrong shares that her first memory was of the abuse she witnessed her mother endure at the hands of her father. "I was sleeping in my parents' bed with my mom when my dad rushed in, yelling, and punching my mom in the face." Much of Armstrong's childhood was a single-parent experience full of hard times. She vividly recalls seeing her mother struggle to support the pair, working to put food on the table and a roof over their heads.
Armstrong admits her formative years were ones of shame and embarrassment. She recounts how she and her mother moved about to keep afloat: "I think this lack of predictability in my early years created much of the anxiety that has plagued me throughout my life," Armstrong wrote in her memoir.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Her marriage and divorce to Russell Armstrong
After a less than idyllic start to life, Taylor Armstrong moved to California and changed her name. She went by numerous aliases, supposedly passing herself off as a family member of the Ford Motor Company dynasty, a source told The Daily Beast. The future housewife met well-to-do venture capitalist executive Russell Armstrong. The couple wed in October 2005 and welcomed daughter Kennedy in 2006. During their years as a couple, viewers of "RHOBH" saw the Armstrongs living the good life. They resided in beautiful Beverly Hills, ran with wealthy co-star couples, and threw a $60,000 tea party birthday bash for their then four-year-old tot.
Within a few years of taking on reality television, cracks in the Armstrongs' life started to show, and the pair announced that despite their best efforts to make things work, they were divorcing in 2011 (per People). In the wake of the split, accusations of alleged abuse and financial woes emerged. Russell had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2005 and barely kept afloat, according to his lawyer Ronald Richards. "He worked hard to get [Taylor] where she was," Richards told TheWrap. "Who do you think paid for that lifestyle? He was disappointed. ... He basically spent all their savings, and didn't accumulate any savings, to support the show." Richards went on record stating that Russell struggled to maintain the pair's facade and was by no means "rich."
Russell died by suicide shortly after the divorce was announced, at age 47.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
She sold prized possessions
Distraught reality star Taylor Armstrong had to pick up the pieces of her life, including the financial loose ends and legal battles that her deceased husband, Russell Armstrong, left behind in his wake. Taylor shared on a Bravo blog that she was forced to turn over her $250,000 wedding ring as part of a legal settlement brought on by a medical company called MMRGlobal. The suit claimed the Armstrongs misled investors and misused funds for their personal needs, per People.
While Taylor was no longer wed to Russell at the time of the bling turnover, the process of letting go still hurt. "To learn that they wanted my wedding ring to settle was heart-wrenching. I wasn't wearing the ring and the material object wasn't important to me but, it felt like letting go all over again. More importantly, it was one of very few happy mementos that I expected Kennedy to have. I had hoped she would wear it when she got married," explained the former Mrs. Armstrong.
The ring was then put on eBay by debt collectors, adding salt to an already gaping wound. Per Jezebel, Taylor Armstrong also tried to settle lingering financial debts by handing over her beautiful Birkin bags. That exchange didn't pan out so well, however, as the purses were knockoffs and not nearly as valuable as initially thought.
She penned a bestseller
With a life as colorful as Taylor Armstrong's, it only made sense to put her experiences to paper in the form of a memoir. The reality star struck a deal with Simon & Schuster recounting Armstrong's alleged abusive former marriage. As a budding author, she is in good company, as Bravo's housewives often create page-turners to supplement income.
"Hiding from Reality: My Story of Love, Loss and Finding the Courage Within" landed on both The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. "'Hiding from Reality' is doing its job: to take domestic abuse out of the shadows and shine the light of awareness on this national tragedy," Armstrong told ET. "I wrote the book to show victims a way forward and the courage to take the first steps out of their own nightmares." So how much moolah did Armstrong rake in for her written efforts? It's hard to say. She probably didn't get a $15 million check like Britney Spears or Bill Clinton, but she also likely didn't make pennies on the dollar.
Most of her co-stars supported Armstrong and her book, with Kyle Richards and Dana Wilkey attending her Los Angeles book signing, per ET. Former housewife Brandi Glanville famously threw shade at Armstrong's authorship endeavor on the show's Season 2 reunion, hinting that Armstrong hopped on the opportunity before her former husband was cold in his grave (via Today).
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Appearances on hit reality television shows
Taylor Armstrong is best known for her reality television appearances, and professionally speaking, her small screen moments are what bring home the bacon. Armstrong had a small cameo in MTV's reality giant, "The Hills," before landing her role in Bravo's "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." She rubbed elbows with the rich and famous for three seasons, starting with the franchise's premiere. Per unconfirmed reports from Celebrity Net Worth, Armstrong earned an estimated $175,000 at least for her third season. After that, she made guest appearances on the hit show, popping up in storylines from time to time. While she wasn't the most wealthy Beverly Hills housewife, those initial years as a center-stage reality star compensated her handsomely.
Several years later, Armstrong and her now-husband, John Bluher, starred on another reality show, VH1's "Couple's Therapy." Armstrong explained to television host (and former New York housewife) Bethenny Frankel that she participated in the show to become the best partner to her future hubby while working to reduce lingering anxiety and negativity from her past (via the Daily Mail).
Armstrong then met up with a few other former housewives in the beautiful Berkshire mountains for Season 2 of "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club." The gang got to know one another, fight over who was the fairest ex of all, and make new alliances at Dorinda Medley's Blue Stone Manor estate.
A new gig in a new county
According to People, Taylor Armstrong made history by being the first housewife to hop counties! That's right. While the blonde beauty was once a diamond-holding Beverly Hills housewife, she is now toting around an orange in the O.C.
Armstrong was asked to join the cast of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" for Season 17. She agreed to appear as a friend of main cast members including Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, Shannon Beador, and Emily Simpson. Some castmates are new faces for Armstrong, while others already starred on camera with her. Armstrong's pal Tamra Judge confirmed on "Watch What Happens Live" that she would be rejoining the "RHOC" cast. Judge was also with Armstrong on "The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip."
Armstrong's return to the franchise will likely pad her pockets quite nicely, as the O.C. housewives all earn paychecks that are enough to make anyone envious. The numbers certainly vary. Per Radar, original 'wife Vicki Gunvalson was once earning $60,000 per episode – but Us Weekly claimed that Gina Kirschenheiter made about $68,000 for her first season altogether. Since Armstrong isn't technically a newbie, her salary could be adjusted. Her "friend of the housewife" status would also likely affect her earnings, too.
Taylor Armstrong wed a second millionaire
Taylor Armstrong said yes to her prince charming when she wed attorney John Bluher. The pair met when Bluher stepped in to aid and legally consult Armstrong following the passing of her former husband. Armstrong's lawyer hubby is reportedly worth $5 million, giving the pair a combined net worth of over $7 million.
The couple wed in 2014 and celebrated their union with a lavish cliffside ceremony at the Bel-Air Bay Club. "Today, John, Kennedy, and I became a family. I married my best friend, and Kennedy's family circle became complete," the happy wife gushed to People. Their televised 120-guest wedding was brought to life by none other than wedding dreamweaver David Tutera. Of working with Tutera, Armstrong told Radar, "I love [David]. He's amazing. He's part therapist, part event planner!" The evening included some notable names and many of Armstrong's former "RHOBH" costars.
Nearly ten years later, the pair are still going strong. Per Us Weekly, Bluher said during the wedding reception that he would be adopting Taylor Armstrong's daughter, Kennedy. The family lives in sunny Orange County, California. Armstrong summed their love up perfectly when she told People, "John loves me for exactly who I am. I just know there will never be enough days with him."