Dorinda Medley

Dorinda Medley returns to Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City this season with her trademark sequins, humor and exuberant perspective. Born in the Berkshires in Massachusetts, Dorinda graduated college and arrived in New York City, working in the showrooms of Liz Claiborne. She met her first husband and followed him to London to start a family and eventually her own cashmere company, DCL Cashmere. Many high-profile London clients like Princess Diana and Joan Collins became acquaintances, and soon, Dorinda left her mark on London society. Ten years in London also brought her a daughter, Hannah, a divorce, and a wish to return to New York to figure out life in the city as a single mom. In 2005, Dorinda met and married financier Richard Medley, a former Washington powerbroker and respected speechwriter to Congresswoman and vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro; and together they worked on fundraising for charitable causes with the likes of Bishop Desmond Tutu, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Secretary Madeline Albright, and President Bill and Secretary Hillary Clinton.

After the tragic loss of her beloved Richard in 2011, Dorinda and Hannah found strength in each other and in their loved ones to overcome the radical changes of losing a husband, friend, companion, and father figure. Through perseverance and support from her close friends, Dorinda climbed right back to the top of New York society, eventually meeting boyfriend John Mahdessian, owner of New York’s legendary couture restoration house, Madame Paulette. Dorinda is always directing her energy and focus into her home, her family, her friends, her favorite charities, her Twitter, and her love for pop culture. She enjoys the theater, the beach, the mountains, fabulous parties, a great dirty Martini, and all types of fashion—both high-end and high-street—and considers all of her pieces collector’s items. There’s never enough glitz, glam and sparkle for this true New York City Housewife.