Carole Radziwill returns to 'Real Housewives of New York City'

Former cast member will appear as 'friend of' for Season 16 after 7-year absence

Mar. 2, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Carole Radziwill, a former cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York City," is returning to the show as a "friend of" the cast for Season 16. Radziwill left the series in 2018 after Season 10 amid reported feuds with executive producer Andy Cohen and cast member Bethenny Frankel. She has since made amends with Cohen and will be joined by other returning cast members Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy and Jessel Taank, as well as several new full-time cast members.

Why it matters

Radziwill's return to "RHONY" comes as interest in the Kennedy family has surged thanks to the Hulu series "Love Story," which is based on the tragic romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Radziwill was married to Kennedy's first cousin, Anthony Radziwill, and wrote about their close relationship in her memoir.

The details

Carole Radziwill joined "RHONY" in Season 5 and left the series in 2018 after Season 10 amid reported feuds with executive producer Andy Cohen and cast member Bethenny Frankel. Radziwill and Cohen have since made amends, with Radziwill signaling the possibility of a return to "RHONY" in August 2025 when she made a surprise appearance on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen." She followed that by appearing at BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas in November.

  • Radziwill will be featured as a 'friend of' the cast in Season 16, which begins filming this week.
  • Radziwill left the series in 2018 after Season 10.

The players

Carole Radziwill

A former cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York City" who is returning to the show as a "friend of" the cast for Season 16 after a 7-year absence.

Andy Cohen

The executive producer of "The Real Housewives of New York City" who has since made amends with Radziwill.

Bethenny Frankel

A cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York City" who Radziwill had a reported feud with.

Anthony Radziwill

Carole Radziwill's late husband, who was the first cousin of the late John F. Kennedy Jr.

John F. Kennedy Jr.

The late son of President John F. Kennedy, whose relationship with his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has surged in popularity thanks to the Hulu series "Love Story."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Radziwill's return to "RHONY" comes at a time of renewed interest in the Kennedy family, as her connection to the late John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is likely to draw additional attention to the show. Her reappearance also signals a thawing of tensions between Radziwill and the show's producers, suggesting the possibility of further reconciliations within the "RHONY" cast.