The Real Housewives of New York City original cast member Alex McCord may have left The Big Apple behind, but she’s still a New Yorker at heart as she soon makes her Real Housewives return after a 15-year hiatus during The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th.
How to Watch
The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Episodes stream next day on Peacock.
Much has changed for Alex over the years, including her career and her home, but just as much has stayed the same as she raises her two sons with husband Simon van Kempen.
Keep reading to learn everything Alex has been up to since leaving RHONY, and watch the RHUGT: Roaring 20th trailer above to get a glimpse of what to expect from her on the series.
When was Alex McCord on The Real Housewives of New York City?
Alex is a RHONY original cast member, and appeared on Seasons 1 through 4 before leaving the franchise in 2011.
Are Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen still married?
Yes, Alex and Simon are still married. The two celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in May 2026, as Alex shared a special reel on her Instagram marking their many adventures over the years, and showing just how much in love the two still are today.
The two marked their silver anniversary a year earlier with a luxurious vacation at The Moso resort in Vanuatu, and Alex shared pics of the two swimming and having a romantic beach picnic.
Simon also penned a sweet tribute to his longtime love in honor of their 20th anniversary, writing on his Instagram: “Twenty years ago today I married the most amazing woman I have ever met. We’ve lived an interesting life (to say the least) but though it all our mutual love has never wavered. I might be 56 but I am greedy and want at least another thirty more! Alex I love you so much.”
RELATED: Alex McCord Reveals a New Look at Her Engagement Ring & Wedding Band (PHOTO)
Where does Alex McCord live now?
Alex, Simon, and their sons Francois and Johan left NYC back in 2014, and moved to Simon’s native country of Australia. They sold their Brooklyn townhouse that was showcased on RHONY, TODAY reported, and the family moved into a new estate on an acre of land outside of Byron Bay near the Pacific Ocean.
“We’re on the beach almost every day because it is five minutes from the house. There is a marine park right at the closest beach to us,” Alex described to Bravo Insider in 2017.
Alex also opened up on the reasoning behind about the decision, and shared they wanted to be closer to family. “Over the last few years, all of Simon’s family have reconvened from as far as Europe to all live within 20 minutes of each other on a collection of beautiful beaches on the north coast of New South Wales,” she said at the time.
She continued, “We are the last of the family to move back, and it’s time. Our children have never had the opportunity to live within walking distance of grandparents and cousins, and with our two boys aged 8 and 10, it’s the perfect time for the extended family to enjoy each other.”
She added that the family needed “a new adventure” out of the U.S. “We both love New York City, and Brooklyn specifically, almost as much as each other; however, we’ve been there, done that and written the book—literally—on raising Little Kids in the Big City,” she said.
Alex has since documented much of their very different life out of the city, and in Sept. 2026, posted an Instagram reel from the beach with the caption, “So grateful to work in such a beautiful place that is therapeutic all on its own.”
RELATED: Who Does Alex McCord Keep in Touch with the Most from The Real Housewives of New York City?
How old are Alex McCord’s sons Francois and Johan van Kempen?
Alex’s sons, Francois van Kempen and Johan van Kempen have grown up into adults since appearing on RHONY’s debut season. While Francois was about 5 years old when Season 1 premiered back in 2008, Johan was about 2 years old, and they are now nearly 23 and 20, respectfully.
What are Alex McCord’s sons Francois and Johan van Kempen doing now?
RELATED: Alex McCord Just Came Up with Her Modern-Day RHONY Tagline and It Is Perfect
What does Alex McCord do for a living?
Alex made a major career pivot after leaving RHONY and New York City, and announced in 2017 she was studying psychology.
“When Simon and I moved to Australia, we both decided that this was a time of midlife reinvention. What had we not done yet that we wanted to do? It’s sort of like the world is our oyster. OK, new life, what are you gonna do?” Alex explained to Bravo Insider at the time. “I decided to get a degree in psychology.”
She added that she planned on specializing in geriatric psychology, and studying dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
She recently reached a huge milestone in her career, as she received her PhD in clinical psychology, and graduated from the University of New England in Auckland, Australia in May 2026.
RELATED: Alex McCord Just Achieved a Major Accomplishment in Her New Psychology Career
What does Simon van Kempen do for a living?
Although Simon worked in hotel property management while he was on RHONY, he decided to pursue a different profession back in 2017. Alex told Bravo Insider at the time that he was studying to become a lawyer, and that he’d teamed up with his brother to expand Van Kempen & Associates.
“You know when something is so right, it just clicks? They went into this joint venture together, and it has just skyrocketed, which is just amazing,” Alex shared. “I am so proud of him. He has so much mojo right now. He’s on fire, which is fantastic.”
Ahead of Alex’s Real Housewives return, check out our watch guide for the best RHONY episodes.
