LuAnn de Lesseps
| LuAnn de Lesseps | |
|---|---|
 de Lesseps in 2011 at the book launch party for Michael Musto's Fork on the Left, Knife in the Back |
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| Born | LuAnn Nadeau May 17, 1965 USA |
| Other names | "The Countess", "Countess LuAnn" |
| Occupation | Model, TV personality, author, former nurse, singer |
LuAnn de Lesseps, known as Countess LuAnn or The Countess (born May 17, 1965) is an American television personality, recording artist, and former fashion model best known for her appearances on the Bravo show The Real Housewives of New York City. Her courtesy title comes from her previous marriage to Frenchman Count Alexandre de Lesseps, a descendant of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the architect of the Suez Canal. A title she formally lost by divorcing the original title holder.
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[edit] Early life
She was born LuAnn Nadeau and grew up with six siblings in the small town of Berlin, Connecticut, where her father owned a construction company.[1][2] She has said her father is of Algonquian descent[3] and that her mother is French Canadian.[4][5]
[edit] Career
Lesseps was formerly a licensed vocational nurse's aide in Connecticut,[1] as well as a Wilhelmina model.[6][7]
She is one of the main cast members on Bravo's reality series, The Real Housewives of New York City. Lesseps wrote a book, Class with the Countess: How to Live with Elegance and Flair (published by Gotham) released April 16, 2009, and released her first record, "Money Can't Buy You Class" (through Ultra Records), on May 25, 2010. She released her second single, "Chic, C'est La Vie" almost immediately thereafter, also in May 2010.[8]
[edit] Personal life
In 1993 she married Alexandre de Lesseps, becoming his fourth wife.[1] Together, they have two children, Victoria and Noel. They divorced in 2009 as a result of reports of infidelity by her husband.[9] She announced that she would retain her married name. However, French nobiliary laws impede her to formally retain her former husband's title of Count.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c La Ferla, Ruth (April 16, 2009). "TV Royalty, but No Longer a Housewife". http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/fashion/16COUNTESS.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=LuAnn%20de%20Lesseps&st=cse. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Eaton, Phoebe. (2008-07-01) Ramona Singer on the Real Housewives of New York City – Real Housewives Gossip – Harper's BAZAAR. Harpersbazaar.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-25.
- ^ "Keeping up With New York's 'Real Housewives'". http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-realhousewivesnycfeature,0,1218107.story. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ "Class With The Countess: About". http://www.classwiththecountess.com/about.htm. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ Class with the Countess. Luanndelesseps.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-25.
- ^ Eaton, Phoebe. "Countess LuAnn de Lesseps for Ford Models - Manhattan Moms on Bravo - Bazaar.com". http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/feature-articles/real-housewives-new-york-city-0708-4. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ DeLeon, Kris. "The Real Housewives of New York City: LuAnn de Lesseps Talks About being a Countess". http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/the-real-housewives-of-new-yor-17045.aspx. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
- ^ "Countess LuAnn Debuts Second Dance Single, ‘Chic, C’est la Vie’". NYmag. http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/05/countess_luann_debuts_another.html. Retrieved 2011, August 1.
- ^ Luann de Lesseps' Cheating Saga
[edit] External links
- 1965 births
- American dance musicians
- American female models
- American female pop singers
- American people of Native American descent
- American nurses
- American people of French descent
- American socialites
- American writers
- De Lesseps family
- Living people
- Participants in American reality television series
- People from Hartford County, Connecticut
- The Real Housewives cast members
- Ultra Records artists
- Writers from Connecticut
