Meet the ‘real’ Real Housewives of Sydney
You won’t see their faces on the juggernaut Real Housewives franchises seen across the world. But they run in the same circles as those who star on the reality show, and likely turned offers to join it down.
Confidential
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The description of “housewife” is “a woman whose main occupation is caring for her family, managing household affairs, while her husband or partner goes out to work”. There’s no denying that definition has changed in modern times.
And while the “Real Housewives” reality TV franchise is one of the most successful in the world, Saturday Confidential thought we would take a look at the women who are likely to have been asked to feature on the show, but turned it down.
These group of wealthy women mostly run in the same social circles, live in multimillion-dollar homes, fly in private jets and seemingly have it all.
Introducing the ‘real’ real housewives of Sydney.
BLAINEY NORTH
Baliney needs little introduction: as a globally-renowned interior designer, she has completed everything from full builds to the dressing of housewives beds for the likes of Roxy Jacenko, Nicole Kidman and James Packer.
She was once married to Russell Crowe’s manager, but keeps a low profile of late, despite being surrounded by both luxe people and products.
GEORGIA CONTOS
This housewife earns big, spends big and isn’t afraid to flash the fruits of her labour.
The co-owner of clothing label White Fox, Georgia recently married Daniel Contos.
She has amassed $100 million in Vaucluse property, thanks to her fast fashion label.
While she is yet to make her foray into the ‘"society set”, it’s only a matter of time before they get their hands on her.
SHEEVA TAVAKOLI
Sheeva is the demure and sultry well-heeled wife of Dr Kourosh Tavakoli, the man who has done pretty much every set of fake breasts you’ll see in Sydney’s society circles.
Just like Hoda Waterhouse, Sheeva is also known as a “Persian Princess”.
She never has a hair out of place, is a committed friend, and wonderful mother.
Her age is unknown – she could be 40, could be 50 — no one will ever know.
Sheeva is known for hosting lavish soirees at their waterfront all marble home in Darling Point. And she loves to kick on.
DANA LEWIS
Drama seems to follow Dana, a well-regarded in the Jewish community for her eclectic and arty style and renovations, alongside architect Nick Tobias and Blainey North, who does her interiors.
JACQUI HASSON
Jacqui, the daughter of Primo Smallgoods founder Paul Lederer, is set to inherit billions from her father and mother Eva.
She’s considered “one of the lovely ones” — understated, a much-loved member of the Jewish community and known for her stances on current affairs.
KIRSTEN CARRIOL
The lip balm company Lanolips owner and the ex-wife of Jean Carc Carriol of the Clarins empire, Kirsten had everyone talking following the abrupt breakdown of her marriage, yet little press ensued (friends in right places perhaps?). As those close to her say, “this ex-PR chick has built a solid brand and has managed to stay pretty clean.”
ROXY JACENKO
We know for a fact that Roxy has been scouted by producers of the popular Housewives franchise.
While she doesn’t live in Sydney anymore, she’s arguably one of our best known ‘housewives’. She made her own money in the property game and in her successful PR company, Sweaty Betty. She’s now moved to Singapore, where her husband, Oliver Curtis is “killing it”, having founded successful start-up Sustainable Metal Cloud with his cousin, Tim Rosenfield. The mother-of-two was last seen holidaying on a million-dollar-a-week superyacht for three weeks, sailing from the South of France to Italy.
EVA LEDERER
Is undoubtably the queen of all the housewives and probably reigns over the most money too.
She is known for her eye-watering 15-carat diamond ring, her epic collection of crocodile-skin Birkins handbags, her Rolls Royce, having style like no other and a presence nobody can doubt.
STEPHANIE CONLEY
Known as “The Hostess”, Stephanie channels Steford wife. She only dresses “la dolce vita”, and lives “la dolce vita”. Before opening a fashion label under her own name, Conley began a course at Le Cordon Bleu in 2002 in an attempt to try her hand at food, before returning to fashion. Her garments have been worn by big names including Naomi Watts, Kim Cattrall and Lauren Bush. These days, the glamorous, happily-married mum of two spends half the year in Europe.
ALINA BARLOW
The daughter of David Traktovenko — a former bureaucrat and bank manager from St Petersburg and owner of Sydney FC who has a fortune estimated in 2011 at $550 million — Alina is known as one of the nicest women on the Sydney social scene.
She studied Economics in St Petersburg before applying to the University of Sydney to complete her studies at the age of 19.
After university, she trained as a chartered accountant before pivoting into the jewellery industry where she created her own hugely-successful brand, Alinka. She is besties with Real Housewives of Sydney cast member, Terry Biviano.
KATIE ADAMO
Loved for her wicked sense of humour and known for spending money like water, Katie Adamo is the wife of prominent Double Bay dentist, Daniel Adamo.
The former recruitment boss and her wealthy hubby sold their family home in 2020 for $22 million, and a Clifton Gardens home for more than $18.5 million in 2022.
Katie founded the global property recruitment firm Judd Farris, and sold it in 2007.
Dr Daniel Adamo is a director of medical financial services company MiFund and a co-founder of Mobile Dental Services.
REBEKAH GILES
A star legal eagle — glamorous and feared — Rebekah is married to property guru Tim Price, and is the go-to lawyer for the rich, powerful and famous who are involved in scandals.
Former federal Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, federal Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, and businessman Mitchell Hooke and his daughter Phoebe are among those she has represented.
Giles threw a lavish 40th birthday bash in 2021, attended by 150 guests including Merivale restaurant and pub baron Justin Hemmes, Sarah Hanson-Young, Sydney Dance Company artistic director Rafael Bonachela, a handful of GWS Giants players and lobbyist Michael Photios.
HODA WATERHOUSE
Hoda Waterhouse is living proof you can be cashed up, but remain kind and humble. The wife of famous bookie Tom Waterhouse has both beauty and brains.
The mother of three has a Masters in Architecture, and is part of racing royalty in Australia thanks to her long term relationship with Tom.
Fondly nicknamed by those who know and love her as the “Persian Princess”, thanks to her beauty and Iranian heritage, Hoda is the big sister of Sydney “It” girl Rey Vakili, who last year married Ingham chickens empire heir Johnny Ingham.
BENITA KAM
Benita not only organises the best parties in Sydney, the “full on, dynamic Jewish, South African Queen” has the bank balance to strike out all other competition.
The owner of hugely-successful events company BNT management, she/s the party planner behind the annual Gold Dinner, and the choice of any Eastern Suburbs couple who have millions to spend on their big day.
Her motto is that “creativity, imagination and care are ingredients that can turn a run-of-the-mill social gathering to the most talked about event of the year”.
Her husband owns successful fashion brand Canali in Australia, making them the ultimate power couple.
LEE FURLONG
She keeps a low profile these days, but Lee Furlong is proof you can have it all, without the need to flaunt it. The wife of former cricketer Shane Watson lives with her young family, however is rarely seen out and about.
She also doesn’t have a social media account. The one time sports presenter was once known for being Ian Thorpe’s bestie.
With her beaming smile and commitment to her family and people’s wellbeing, she’s considered one of the nicest chicks in the East.
TALI JATALI
She might not have the money these other women have, but self-made, former model-turned -fashion designer Tali Jatali makes up for it in looks, ambition and charisma.
The 54-year-old’s ageless beauty appeals to almost every generation and she is a much-loved fixture of Sydney’s social set.
MAREE ANDREWS
Maree Andrews is part of one of Sydney’s most powerful dynasties, and according to those who know her, is the queen of parties.
Andrews is part of the Tzaneros family, which owns Australia’s largest privately owned container logistics operator, ACFS Port Logistics, which boasts an annual revenue of more than $300mn, and brings in around $85mn in earnings before taxes and depreciation.
Andrews, who married Peter Andrews, CEO of Haverick Meats, is a respected luxury public relations and marketing consultant. She has been the Chair of the Silver Committee for the past 17 years, overseeing some of Sydney’s biggest charity events.
LINDA ROGAN
There’s not a hot young man who doesn’t know the name Linda Rogan.
Linda oozes ‘Sydney housewife’ vibes, so much so that we hear the franchise desperately wanted her to be involved in filming.
Known for having a penchant for younger men, party girl Rogan is a glamorous Double Bay beauty shop owner and boasts nearly 17,000 followers on Instagram.
KATE WATERHOUSE
She lives in a $20 million waterfront Balmoral home with husband, former NRL player Luke Ricketson and their two young daughters. But Kate still hustles and is considered one of Sydney’s top fashionistas. Waterhouse is a regular commentator on Channel 7, and is front row and centre at all of Sydney’s top parties and events.
VANESSA FENNELL
Oozing charisma, the eternal glamour girl is a must on every guest list, always up for fun, and never short of a laugh unless you’re on her naughty list — and will leave you in no doubt if you are.
Fennell is the social triple threat: funny, smart and attractive. She isn’t afraid to call people on line-crossing — and we know there’s a lot of that in the East. She’s reportedly happily not single — more to come on that one.
REBECCA VALLANCE
Know as “RV” by those close to her, Rebecca is one of Australia’s top fashion designers, and a mother of two. Married to financier David Gasan, Vallance dresses high profile stars including Nicky and Paris Hilton, Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes; Zara Tindall; Dakotah Johnson; Noami Campbell, and Rita Ora.
MONIKA TU
The founder and director of the Black Diamondz Group, TV personality Monika Tu is a multiple award-winning businesswoman and entrepreneur.
And she’s self made. Once a broke student selling floppy discs at Paddy’s markets to make ends meet, she’s now considered one of Australia’s top real estate agents, selling more than $200 million worth of real estate to China’s rich and famous. And we love how obsessed she is with her husband Jad Khatter, who is a good 20 years younger.
ANGELIQUE ANDREWS
Angelique Andrews is the daughter of the Coombes property empire and is best known for her luxurious Birkin collection, big hair, permanent tan and opulent and old worldly decorating of her Vaucluse Home.
Known as “the fairy princess of the east:, she can wave her wand and make shit happen.
She is Michael Coombes’s sister and is set to inherit billions. She is often seen hosting lunches for society set.
ELLIE AITKEN
Glamorous blonde Ellie Aitken has always been known in Eastern Suburbs circles. But wider Sydney learned her name in 2021, when her husband Charlie Aitken, a high-profile investment banker, ran off with her best friend Hollie Nasser, ending two marriages in the process.
Ellie and her husband confirmed their split several months later, in May 2022, before rekindling their romance earlier this year. Aitken dated wealthy Bahamas-based fund manager Mark Holowesko in between.
MAUDE TZANEROS
Maude is the wife of Arthur Tzaneros – part of the shipping giant family which owns ACFS Port Logistics.
The country girl and former make-up artist is friends with all the right people, but never gets caught up caught up in the drama (of which there is plenty).
Maude is very much the backbone of the family, with a strong focus on her three kids.
She’s the first to arrive at an event, first to leave and holds the position and place of a “good housewife” well.
She has a very dry sense of humour and often “giggles along in the corner”.
AND THE THERE’S THE HOUSE HUSBANDS …
JOSHUA PENN
Joshua Penn is the wealthy son of Lowes Menswear heiress Linda Penn, and her dentist husband David and Benjamin Palmer’s husband.
This rich ‘house husband’ runs popular fashion store Belinda International, and spends Sydney’s winter in Europe.
He has a penchant for highlighting his OOTD (outfit of the day) and is obsessed with his two kids, Blake and Brooklyn.
Josh, the bearer of the most acute sense of humour on the East, is a scratch golfer, and ace tennis player however despite what many would think, isn’t one to hang washing on the line or whip up a Sunday roast.
Well-connected Penn is also the co-chair of Sydney’s biggest fundraiser, The Gold Dinner.
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