Carole Radziwill is making a comeback to The Real Housewives of New York City after an eight-year break. Bravo has officially announced that the former ABC News correspondent will join the cast as a “friend of” during Season 16, set to premiere later this year.
Bravo’s excitement about Radziwill’s return was clear in their social media announcement, which stated, “In the marathon of life, loyalty is everything. And because of Bravo fans’ loyalty, Carole Radziwill is returning to #RHONY as a friend-of for Season 16!”
Radziwill joined RHONY in Season 5 and departed in 2018 after Season 10, following a fallout with executive producer Andy Cohen and co-star Bethenny Frankel. Although she had previously expressed critical feelings about her experience on the show, her perspective shifted after a heartfelt exchange with Cohen and a surprise guest appearance on his late-night talk show, Watch What Happens Live. This rekindled her connection with fans, further emphasized during her appearance at BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas, where she fondly recalled her time on the show.
As production for RHONY Season 16 is set to begin this week, the cast remains unofficially confirmed. However, returning ladies expected to join Radziwill include Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy, and Jessel Taank. Jenna Lyons and Brynn Whitfield have both confirmed they will not be returning this season.
Radziwill’s return marks the first time a legacy star from RHONY has been confirmed since the reboot in Season 14. Other former Housewives, including Ramona Singer and Luann de Lesseps, are currently filming a new series titled The Golden Life, which takes place in Palm Beach, Florida. This resurgence of familiar faces brings renewed interest and anticipation for fans of the franchise.