Fans of the Real Housewives series have come to know and love not only the cast members of the Bravo franchises, but their spouses, kids and other loved ones - which makes their deaths hit harder. Real Housewives of Orange County alum Lauri Peterson shared in April 2024 that she was mourning the death of her son, Josh Waring, who appeared on the show alongside her. (Peterson was a main cast member during seasons 1 through 4 and appeared as a guest and friend throughout the series.) "No one can ever prepare you for this feeling of such deep loss," the former reality personality wrote via Instagram. "Every fiber in my body hurts. Josh fought every single day for most of his adult life, for his life, but this past Sunday, the challenge was too great." Mary Cosby also opened up about the death of her son, Robert Cosby Jr., on February 25. "Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord," the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star told TMZ. "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow." Keep scrolling to read about the heartbreaking losses of those in the Housewives franchises. Robert Jr. Cosby, 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' Mary Cosby, Robert Jr. Cosby's mother, confirmed her son's death to TMZ on February 25. "Our beloved son Robert Jr. has been called home to the Lord," she wrote, noting that he was just 23 years old. "Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in God's promise and in knowing he is finally at peace. We are grateful for your prayers and trust in the Lord to carry us through this time of sorrow." Robert Cosby Jr. Courtesy of Mary Cosby/Instagram Robert Jr. was found dead in his home after authorities were called to respond to a possible overdose. A cause of death was not immediately shared. Throughout the show, Robert Jr. was open about his substance abuse and mental health struggles. Reality TV Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths Keep scrolling to read about the heartbreaking losses of those in the Housewives franchises. Gregg Leakes, 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' Gregg, whose relationship with wife NeNe was documented on RHOA from seasons 1 through 7 and seasons 10 through 12, died in September 2021 after battling cancer. He was 66 years old. Former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Stars: Where Are They Now? "Today the Leakes family is in deep pain with a broken heart. After a long battle with cancer, Gregg Leakes has passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by all of his children, very close loved ones and wife Nene Leakes," a publicist for the Bravo alum told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. "We ask that you pray for peace and strength over their family & allow them to mourn in private during this very very difficult time." Gregg and NeNe originally wed in 1997, but after 14 years of marriage, the Glee alum filed for divorce from Gregg and the proceedings were made final in 2011. The pair eventually reconciled, tying the knot for a second time in 2013. Dennis Shields, 'The Real Housewives of New York' Dennis Shields and Bethenny Frankel Alessio Botticelli/GC Images Shields, who dated longtime cast member Bethenny Frankel on and off from 2016 to 2018, was found dead at age 51 in his Trump Tower apartment in August 2018 after a suspected overdose, though no cause of death has been confirmed. (An autopsy was not performed for religious reasons, Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson, MD, PhD, said in a statement at the time.) Frankel addressed Shields' death while sitting down with a therapist in an episode of RHONY. "I mean, it's really brutal," she said. "He was really someone that I went to for everything. So him being gone is a massive void. I really can't believe he's gone." Russell Armstrong, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Russell, who was married to RHOBH cast member Taylor Armstrong from 2005 to 2011, died by suicide at age 47 one month after Taylor filed for divorce in July 2011. In her filing, she alleged she was physically and verbally abused by Russell. Russell Armstrong and Taylor Armstrong David Livingston/Getty Images While speaking to Us Weekly in 2022, Taylor reflected on dealing with the aftermath of her ex-husband's death. "I knew that I had to survive and make it through so that I could take care of [my now-18-year-old daughter Kennedy]. Kennedy was my first and foremost concern and I just day by day is all I can tell you," she shared. "It was one disappointment after the other, as things were unfolding. I would just get calls from the attorneys and it was never anything positive." Ashley "A.J." Jewell, 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' Kandi Burruss' ex-fiancé died after suffering a head injury during a fight at an Atlanta strip club in 2009. He was 34 years old. Emma Stone Proves She Loves 'RHOSLC' With Jen Shah Confession "I could never in a million years imagine this happening," Bur
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Critical 'Real Housewives' Tragedies: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths
February 25, 2026
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