The OG series that kicked off an entire franchise of Housewives knows how to keep things fresh. Look no further than this year’s casting of Braunwyn Windham-Burke for proof. From being caught in lies during double-decker bus rides to making fast friends with all of the OC ladies, she’s definitely brought some spice to season 14. Here’s everything we know about the 40-something-year-old prior to her joining the series.

Bravo
1 / 10
She was already friends with Kelly Dodd
Ever since Braunwyn’s casting was announced, fans have been speculating that she replaced OG star Vicki Gunvalson. But the newbie Housewife has joked that Vicki didn’t even know who she was at first, and that she was more interesting in flirting with her husband. Besides, IRL Braunwyn’s casting came about thanks to her friendship with Kelly, whom she met at the Balboa Bay Club. There they became fast friends, and it led to a conversation with producers.
RELATED: How The Real Housewives of Orange County make their money.
RELATED: How The Real Housewives of Orange County make their money.

Bravo
2 / 10
She’s an O.C. native
Braunwyn was born and raised in the OC, so she’s quite familiar with all of the hot spots. However she’s also lived in Washington and Miami, and it wasn’t until about three years ago that she and her family moved back to the area. Obviously that was a move that paid off now that she’s on the show.

Bravo
3 / 10
She was a fan of the show
Some people claim they didn’t know what they were getting into when they joined a reality series, but Braunwyn definitely isn’t making that claim. She was an avid RHOC watcher before she was asked to become a cast member, which means she was technically fans of these ladies before she became their friend. How do we get that kind of luck?
RELATED: The best and worst RHOC theme parties ever.
RELATED: The best and worst RHOC theme parties ever.

Getty Images
4 / 10
Braunwyn and her husband are childhood sweethearts
Braunwyn met her husband Sean Burke when they were just 18 years old, which is definitely sweet but it also comes with its own set of challenges. "I learned that I can't always rely on my husband,” she told People of joining the show. “I had to stand on my own two feet for the first time in my entire adult life. And that was not always easy." Not easy, but worth it.

Slice
5 / 10
Braunwyn’s actually a housewife
Unlike most of the working women on the franchise, Braunwyn actually is a stay-at-home mom to seven (yep, seven!) kids. Being a mom is something she’s always wanted to do, and she isn’t ashamed of wanting that for herself. But now she’s definitely done. "There is no chance of having baby number eight,” she told People. “We did IVF for our younger kids. We are out of embryos. We are done. Seven kids is a lot." We’ll say.
RELATED: 10 Times Cameran Eubanks was real about motherhood.
RELATED: 10 Times Cameran Eubanks was real about motherhood.

Slice
6 / 10
Braunwyn’s a nursing machine
Not only did Braunwyn birth seven children, but she’s basically been breastfeeding for the past 18 years. Her kids range in age from one to 19, which means she’s finally done pumping out all of that mommy milk. "I went out with a bang!" she told People. "I am no longer nursing and I am living, like, my best life ever!"
Speaking of living her best life, Braunwyn has said that for the first time in nearly two decades she’s finally doing something that’s just for her. Moms everywhere can relate.
Speaking of living her best life, Braunwyn has said that for the first time in nearly two decades she’s finally doing something that’s just for her. Moms everywhere can relate.

Slice
7 / 10
Braunwyn has a love shack
Even being home full-time, Braunwyn needed help. That meant that, in addition to seven children, the household also had a nanny and a cleaner roaming the halls. That made it hard to have any “adult time.” So Braunwyn and Sean did what any rich couple hot for each other would do, and they invested in an adults-only condo they call a love shack. “It’s made for bad choices and debauchery,” she joked to People.
RELATED: These housewives love sex and aren’t afraid to talk about it.
RELATED: These housewives love sex and aren’t afraid to talk about it.

Getty Images
8 / 10
She has an estimated net worth of $3 Million
Being a stay-at-home mom is a hard gig to be sure, but it doesn’t bring home the bacon. So how do Braunwyn and Sean make their dough? It turns out Sean is the president and founder of Channelstars, an IT company for entrepreneurs, creatives, strategists and writers. Obviously the company is successful, since these two don’t exactly seem to be struggling with their bills.

Slice
9 / 10
Braunwyn’s mother is a doctor… and a retired rock star
It turns out that Braunwyn’s mother, Dr. Deb, actually is a doctor. But that’s not all she is. Deborah Windham is a medical doctor, a retired rock star and a “priestess of Burning Man,” among other things. Now we know where Braunwyn gets her sense of responsibility and her wild side from.
RELATED: Real Housewives kids all grown up.
RELATED: Real Housewives kids all grown up.

Getty Images
10 / 10
Braunwyn is friends with some of the Dallas housewives
It seems like once you’re in with one group Housewives you’re in with all of them. Or at least that’s the lesson we’re taking away from Braunwyn’s addition to the show. Not only has she become engrained in the OC edition, but she’s already hanging out with some of the Dallas stars, like Kameron Westcott and Kary Brittingham. Braunwyn posted a picture with the ladies on her Instagram account recently, solidifying her status in the Housewives universe. We have to say that we’re happy to have her.
RELATED: The zodiac signs of the most famous Real Housewives.
RELATED: The zodiac signs of the most famous Real Housewives.
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