The Best Real Housewives Husbands Ranked

At the heart of the "Real Housewives" franchise are the friendships and feuds between its female stars. However, many viewers also appreciate learning more about each woman by way of their personal lives, including their businesses, their homes, and their families. Central to this is the role of the "Real Housewife" husband, who can either elevate or deflate a cast member's home scenes.

To compile our ultimate list of the best husbands ever featured on the "Real Housewives," we wanted to highlight men who show genuine interest in their wives, who defend them to others, and who support their endeavors. Not to mention the ones who can call out their spouses when the need arises. We should note that the list is restricted to husbands we got to see in their element, so that eliminates even the best of boyfriends (sorry Adam Kenworthy) as well as men who divorced a "Real Housewife" before appearing on the show (Frank Catania, we love you).

We also chose to focus on couples with good communication and who actually seem to enjoy spending time together –- at least on camera. The men on our list all have their faults but at their core, they appear to be perfect matches for their ladies. Here is our not-so-scientific ranking of the 14 best "Real Housewives" hubbies, in reverse order.

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" has been firing on all cylinders since Margaret Josephs joined the cast in Season 8. Along with a fascinatingly hip lookalike mom (Marge Sr.) and a super annoying employee (Lexi Doll), the fashion designer also brought her sweetly devoted husband, Joe Benigno, along for the ride. The couple famously started as an affair but have taken their controversial beginnings and built something lovely. In a 2021 Instagram post celebrating the couple's anniversary, Josephs wrote, "You not only get my crazy but still find it entertaining, you love me unconditionally and support all my dreams. There is no me without you, I love you madly."

Benigno very much allows Marge to be Marge. Whether that is embracing her quirky pigtails, not glancing twice when she drinks iced coffee from a wine glass, or understanding when she needs to vent. Some of the other men were alarmed when Josephs screamed at Benigno during a cast dinner in Season 11, but the hubby shrugged it off and let his wife gripe. "Everyone's like, 'Oh, you screamed at him. He's a baby,'" Josephs later told Page Six. "What did everyone want him to do? Scream in my face if I'm having a temper tantrum? ... Any normal husband is going to address it later." Benigno may occasionally appear to be a pushover, but he might be exactly what an alpha like Josephs needs. 

Some "Real Housewives" husbands win our favor simply for putting up with their especially difficult wives. This list includes Sharrieff "Coach" Shah from "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" and Mario Singer from "The Real Housewives of New York," both of whom must have the patience of a saint. But one husband who really stands out in this area is Chris Bassett from "The Real Housewives of Potomac."  The chef's ability to live with — and, at times, compose — his notoriously temperamental wife, Candiace Dillard-Bassett, is a thing of beauty. 

Not only does Chris demonstrate patience in his relationship, but he is also able to calm his wife down when no one else can. He proved this when he de-escalated an incident at their home wherein Candiace angrily waved a butter knife in Ashley Darby's face. Bravely, he is also not afraid to call out his wife for what could be considered entitled behavior. In Season 3, for instance, he accused her of acting spoiled and refused to back down, even when she thought his opinion was out of line. Chris was similarly steadfast regarding his role as Candiace's "husbandger." The "RHOP" star impressively maintained his point of view that he shouldn't have to curtail his own chef career to be at her personal and professional beck and call. His wife didn't want to hear it, but he managed to hold his own in the discussion, regardless.

Joe Gorga is such a huge part of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" that it often feels like he himself should be a "Housewife." After all, the real estate developer is not above getting down and dirty in the drama. He has been an integral part of every season since his wife Melissa Gorga signed on as a "Housewife" for Season 2, in 2010. While Joe is both lovable and entertaining, fans have accused him of being overly controlling and his sexist attitudes have been evident for a while, which knocks him down on our list. Even fellow "RHONJ" hubby Joe Benigno jokingly agreed that Joe Gorga is a chauvinist when asked on  "Watch What Happens Live" in 2021.

Traditional gender role mentality aside, we do think Joe has come a long way over his time on the show. He has supported Melissa's endeavors, from her short-lived singing career to her fashion boutique, Envy –  even if it took him a while to get there for the latter. We also appreciate that Joe consistently takes his wife's side in the battle between Melissa and Teresa Giudice. Joe seems to be absolutely head-over-heels for his wife and they very much appear to enjoy each other's company. It's these qualities which likely prompted the majority of "Watch What Happens Live" viewers to vote Joe and Melissa as the "RHONJ" couple with the strongest relationship in March 2022. 

Guerdy Abraira is still a relative newbie to "The Real Housewives Of Miami," so time will tell whether she's destined to become an all-time great or not. What we do know, however, is that Guerdy is charming, funny, and sweet and that she has a seemingly wonderful marriage. Given that the husbands are not as central on "RHOM" the way they are in some of the other cities, her husband, Russell Abraira, has had less screen time than ideal. However, we like everything we have come to know about the man.

According to The Knot, Guerdy and Russell were high school sweethearts who dated for six years before their engagement. Having remained married since 2002, they appear to still be going strong. When she appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" in February 2022, Guerdy's responses during a game suggested that she and Russell may have sex more than three times a week. She also said that he does more of the household chores, which only makes the man more impressive in our eyes. 

If that were not enough, Russell is a real-life hero. As reported by The Knot, he's enjoyed a career as a firefighter, with Gossip Next Door noting that he was later promoted to fire captain in Miami. As an added bonus, he's certainly not fighting his wife for the limelight. On the "Behind the Velvet Rope" podcast, Guerdy explained, "Everyone loves Russell. He has an energy about him, an aura that's pure and honest."

On "Real Housewives," husbands named "Michael" generally don't have too great of a track record. There's Ashley Darby's scandal-prone husband Michael Darby, Cynthia Bailey's husband Mike Hill who was rumored to have cheated on her, and the alleged transgressions of movie producer Michael Wainstein, the now ex-husband of one-season "RHONY" star Jules Wainstein. So, there is only one Michael that could possibly be on this list and that is Michael Sterling, husband to "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" alum Eva Marcille.

Marcille first rose to fame as the winner of season three of "America's Next Top Model," where she garnered a reputation for being a diva. However, Sterling appears to be a stabilizing force for the once-demonized reality star. Not only is he a pillar of support for Marcille, but he also appears to be a wonderful father to their three children. One of which is Marley, Marcille's child from a previous relationship, who Sterling nonetheless seems to adore. Take, for instance, this heartwarming Instagram post from Sterling showing him and Marley dancing together at his and Marcille's wedding.

Be it walking her down a red carpet for an awards show or reposting her magazine covers, Sterling actively promotes and celebrates his wife's endeavors with pride, without feeling the need to steal her thunder. Suffice to say, he seems like he might be one of the good ones. 

In 2007, Tamra Judge made her first appearance on "The Real Housewives of Orange County." Back then, she was known as Tamra Barney and was in an acrimonious marriage with Simon Barney, the father of her three youngest children. The couple was married for 11 years before they split — long-time viewers of "RHOC" will remember the infamous scene where Tamra asked for a divorce on camera in the Season 5 finale. By all accounts, the marriage appeared to be a difficult one and the ensuing divorce got ugly. So it was nice to see Tamra find love again when she met and married hunky businessman Eddie Judge.

If her on-screen persona is any indication, Tamra is perhaps not the easiest person to be around, so she needs someone calm, cool, and collected around like her husband. Though Eddie is able to go toe-to-toe with the opinionated Tamra, he also seems to be loving and affectionate. They have built a life together which has included buying a new home and starting a gym, Cut Fitness. However, they've also weathered numerous storms, such as Eddie's heart illness and Tamra's post-divorce estrangement from her daughter Sidney. On top of appearing like a really great team, they also seem to enjoy each other's company. If the image of Tamra and Eddie dirt bike riding together during quarantine is not couples goals, we don't know what is.

The sole husband from "The Real Housewives of New York" to make our list, Bobby Zarin was a real mensch and a joy to have on our screens for the first four seasons of "RHONY." In fact, he is one of the few NYC househusbands who was not a sleaze, a cheat, or both. Bobby sadly died in January 2018 after a long cancer battle, but his 18-year marriage to "RHONY" wife Jill Zarin could not be ignored. Jill was (and is) such a dynamo that it was easy to ignore her quieter, kinder half. But Bobby was just the balance that high anxiety, overanalytical Jill needed.

Bobby's health battle was long and hard but through it all, he and Jill always appeared to remain united in enjoying every possible moment together. They were also TV magic, able to make even the most mundane scene –- like the time they went suit shopping –- pop with their hilarious dynamic. 

Finally, we appreciate how Bobby was not only supportive of his wife, but also of those around her. That included Jill's daughter, Ally Shapiro. "Men like you are of a different time," Shapiro wrote in a touching tribute to Bobby. "They don't make people like you anymore. A true gentleman with traditional and steadfast values and morals." Four years after his death, Jill posted a tribute to her late husband on Instagram thanking him for always looking out for her when he was alive.

Lisa Vanderpump is one of the most iconic women to have ever starred on any "Real Housewives" show, and her marriage to Ken Todd is only a small part of what makes her so great for TV. But since this is a list about husbands and not the strong, witty women they are there to support, we had to include Todd, who is by all accounts an incredibly devoted, loving, and patient spouse. Having married in 1982, after knowing each other for only three months, Todd and Vanderpump likely have one of the longest marriages of any "Real Housewives" couple across the entire franchise. 

Todd has proven himself eternally loyal to his wife and has even gone so far as to turn on anyone who crosses her. A fact that was proven when he memorably screamed "Goodbye, Kyle" while kicking Kyle Richards out of the house in Season 9 of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." He has also shown that he is game to Vanderpump's quirkiness, no matter how nutty or inappropriate she gets. Todd basically lives in a zoo because of his wife's fondness for animals, which includes not only common pets like dogs (many, many dogs) but also swans, horses, and turtles. Finally, Todd is secure enough in his manhood to be nonplussed by plenty of jokes regarding the sexual side of his marriage – or lack thereof — which we applaud.

When "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" first started, viewers never caught a glimpse of Kim Zolciak-Biermann's mysterious ex and rumored sugar daddy, "Big Poppa" — AKA Lee Najjar. So, when Kim met her eventual husband, NFL player Kroy Biermann, at a charity event in May 2010, fans could not help but hope for something better for the "RHOA" cast member. Biermann quickly won everyone over with his lovable charm, cheeky grin, and proclivity for always worshipping his queen's essence. So much so that the Biermann family even got their own spin-off, "Don't Be Tardy," which lasted for eight seasons before Bravo canceled it in 2020.

While Kim is not exactly known for her authenticity, her husband is the picture of wholesome boy-next-door vibes. By our estimation, the "RHOA" star is at her most likable when riffing off on her man. Kroy also loves to take care of his wife, to the point where the other women on "RHOA" complained about him driving her to events. 

On top of that, he's also a very active father to the couple's six children, two of whom are Kim's kids that Kroy adopted after their marriage. However, the two balance each other out in parenting and in life, and their relationship always remains central. "Our marriage is our number one priority. Marriage first, kids second," Kim explained on "The Steve Harvey Show" in 2018. 

In Season 6 of "The Real Housewives of Potomac," Eddie Osefo was accused of cheating on his wife, Wendy Osefo. In spite of the rumors, the couple maintained a solid, united front against the allegations, which they claimed were fictitious to Page Six. The couple seems to be doing better than ever despite the rumors and Eddie has shown some pretty impressive qualities in regard to how he treats his wife. Appearances can be deceiving, but we have yet to hear him utter a negative word about Wendy or engage with her disrespectfully in any way. It's a low bar, for sure, but one that many "Real Housewives" men don't pass.

Eddie is particularly supportive of his wife, even taking her side over that of his parents who initially disapproved of their union and wrote him off in the aftermath. Eddie also helped Wendy start her candle venture, despite her lack of business acumen and a plan seemingly formulated around a generic product. 

Lastly, Eddie is an engaged father and a devoted family man, as evidenced by his Instagram, which is mostly photos and brags about his offspring. The couple celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary in August 2021 and enjoyed what they called their Baecation to Turks and Caicos in 2022, so the couple seem to be on solid ground. Here's hoping they can continue to buck the reality TV curse and keep it that way. 

With an attitude that some have suggested can be pompous and a little self-righteous, "The Real Housewives of Orange County" cast member Heather Dubrow does not always come off as the nicest person on the show. Still, she has a life that many covet. Sure, her sizeable net worth and giant mansion can be envy-inducing, but so are her seemingly happy family and loving marriage to plastic surgeon Terry Dubrow. The "Botched" star is seemingly just as hungry for fame as she is which makes the two a perfect match. In addition to appearing together on television, they also write books, sell anti-aging products, and peddle diets as a couple.

However, Terry hasn't made this list just for his celebrity status and keen money-making instincts. Rather, the pair very much radiates love whenever they make appearances together. They have been married for more than two decades –- a rarity for any couple on "Real Housewives," which has a pretty brutal marriage track record. They're also incredibly affectionate, sometimes to the point of being nauseating. On Reddit in 2022, for instance, fans cringed over the image of Heather gleefully bouncing on Terry's lap at the racetrack. 

As evidenced by them playing, and acing, a couple's matching game for OK! Magazine, the two are almost always on the same page, too. Terry may not always be relatable, but he's more grounded than Heather and he treats her incredibly well, which makes him a prize in our books.

As a general rule, "Real Housewives" husbands who are big-name celebrities never spend too much time on screen. Luckily for us, we've seen enough of Lisa Rinna's husband, Harry Hamlin over the years to know how great of a man he is, and how blissful he and his wife appear to be. The couple, who married in 1997 and have two grown daughters together, were famous long before "RHOBH." As a result, Hamlin is great at sharing the limelight with his wife. In the rare instances that he's seen attending events on "RHOBH," he knows to stay far away from the drama and never outshines Rinna.

Not only does the "Mad Men" alum seem chill and sweet, but he also appears to do a lot around the house. As the former "Days of Our Lives" star explained during an episode of "Live with Kelly and Ryan," Hamlin spent quarantine growing a veritable farmyard of vegetables in the couple's garden. Meanwhile, Hamlin is renowned for being the cook of the house, while Rinna is not. 

Most importantly perhaps, Hamlin seems to completely accept his wife for who she is. On a 2016 episode of "Watch What Happens Live" (via Bravo) for instance, he defended some of his wife's more hasty behavior on the show. "Okay, she can be impulsive from time to time," he admitted. "... But also, you know, that's why I married this girl. I mean, look at this. I got the whole package."

Kyle Richards' husband Mauricio Umansky may be ranked as number two, but he has been at the top of the "Real Housewives" husband game for a long time. The real estate mogul frequently wins "Watch What Happens Live" and social media polls pertaining to his physical attractiveness, but he has a lot of other quality features that make him one of the best. For starters, Umansky has supported his wife's endeavors ever since her first season on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," consistently showing up to a ridiculous amount of 1920s-themed parties and white balls despite being a mega-successful tycoon who likely has plenty of other things to do.

Speaking to The Knot, Umansky revealed how the relationship was love at first sight for him, and that he knew Richards was the one after their first date. This would sound incredibly hokey if not for the fact that the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2021, with no hint of staleness in their union. Their sexual chemistry is palpable, and on "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip," Richards even confessed to them having had sex at a table at a black-tie event (via Hollywood Life). 

Other things to love about Umansky include his playful nature, his close bonds with his daughters, and the supportive way he handles his wife's anxiety. Speaking to "Good Morning America" in 2021, Umansky said of his marriage, "it's been a bunch of laughs and happiness." He's simply top tier. 

No, we are not putting "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" husband Evan Goldschneider at the top of our list just because he's hot. Though, to be clear, he is easily one of the most attractive men in the franchise. Instead, Evan primarily leads the way with his overwhelming support for his wife Jackie Goldschneider, his ability to remain cool in the face of drama, and his hands-on parenting style. Beyond that, in Season 11 the couple was also strong enough to move past cheating rumors with their union intact. Jackie seemingly never questioned Evan's faithfulness despite Teresa Giudice's allegedly fabricated stories. Evan is also able to laugh at jokes about their sex life and Jackie's self-professed aversion to certain sex acts, which emphasizes a comfort in his masculinity that some of his peers lack.

A season later, Evan really stepped up in caring for his wife when Jackie sought treatment for her eating disorder. During the "RHONJ After Show," Evan discussed his feelings toward his wife's health and his role as a husband to help her. "What I told Jackie is, 'whatever you need to do, I'm there for you. I'll support you. Like, I'll take care of the kids, whatever it takes,'" he told his fellow househusbands. It may have felt like it took a few seasons for viewers to get to know Evan beyond the surface, but suffice to say, we've found plenty to love in the guy since.