Emily Simpson Denies Living Off In-Law’s Wealth

Emily Simpson from The Real Housewives of Orange County has firmly rebutted accusations claiming she depends on her wealthy in-laws for financial support. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Simpson expressed her disbelief over these allegations made during the show’s reunion. “So you’re saying I live off my in-laws’ money?” the 48-year-old star questioned, referring to her husband Shane’s affluent parents. “I’ve openly discussed their wealth. We’ve filmed at their house before, and it’s clear everyone knows who they are. But if they were funding my life, why would I be sitting here? I’d be enjoying life on a yacht.”

Simpson emphasized her hard work, stating, “I’ve been employed ever since marrying Shane, and he has as well.” She finds the claims “disrespectful” not only to her efforts but also to her in-laws, suggesting that implying their children are not self-sufficient is unfair. The uproar began during the first part of the RHOC reunion, which aired on November 7, when fellow cast member Jennifer Pedranti insinuated that Simpson’s lifestyle is entirely funded by her in-laws.

Simpson later clarified that she did not hear the comment while filming the reunion. In fact, after the episode aired, her co-star Tamra Judge reached out, surprised that Simpson appeared unruffled by Pedranti’s remark. “I didn’t even know she said that,” Simpson told attendees at her watch party at Five Vines Wine Bar in San Juan Capistrano, California.

The day after the reunion aired, Simpson took to social media to directly address the claims. “If my in-laws were supporting my lifestyle, I would be living significantly larger than I am now,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “You would see me jet-setting on private planes.”

While navigating the ups and downs of reality TV, Simpson also uses her platform to champion meaningful causes. For over five years, she has dedicated her efforts to The Innocence Center, a non-profit organization focused on exonerating wrongfully imprisoned individuals. At her recent watch party, which was sponsored by local businesses, she successfully raised over $22,000 for this cause, sharing her passion for making a positive difference. “As an attorney, I had no idea about wrongful incarcerations until I got involved in criminal law. With our platform, it’s crucial to create awareness about these issues,” she explained.

The Real Housewives of Orange County continues to air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock.