"Real Housewives" Countess Dumped By Her Count

Luann de Lesseps, the countess from "The Real Housewives of New York," is single. The 40-something American former model has been dumped via email by her 60-something husband Alex, with whom she has two kids.

Tuesday's NY Post confirms the rumors first reported Monday by New York Social Diary.

From the NYP:

A close pal said, "They decided to separate. She got wind he was seeing somebody and he didn't answer her when she called. He finally sent her an e-mail saying he was with an Ethiopian woman in Geneva and he was serious with her."

The revelation came as a shock to the countess, who celebrated her 16th anniversary with her husband on March 16.

"Luann was blindsided. She was just devastated," the close friend told Page Six. "They have basically lived apart for many years -- he lives in Europe and comes and goes as he pleases, but she never thought this would happen.

Monday's NYSD wrote:

Word comes from across the sea, that New York Housewives' Luann deLesseps has flown off (desperately?) to Europe to see husband Alex in an attempt to save their crumbling marriage. Alex, the Count de Lesseps has, it is said on the streets of Geneva, taken up with a beautiful Ethiopian beauty who is not only quite a bit younger than he but also quite a bit younger than his wife.

In the meantime, the sixty-something count has slimmed down, tanned up and looks years younger, according to friends, which once again raises the age-old question: Ain't love grand?

Luann plans to keep the title, though. Her book on manners, "Class With the Countess," comes out next month.

Comments

[tommy8]

She isn't even a countess. France abolished titles for nobility around the time it became a republic. That family is just like any other.

[chili111]

The deLesseps family of France played a very big part in the giving of the Statue of Liberty to the USA....

She IS a countess because she MARRIED a COUNT. Do a LITTLE research, sparky. It would help your rep tremendously.

[McBushMcSame]

All they did was deliver the statue. They did not design it. They did not create it. They rode on the boat and said here.

So very noble.

She is not a countess because France has no more counts and countesses. That's what happens when a country becomes a republic. No nobility.

Who really needs to do research here?

[Amerigucci]

I'm chuckling because you sound like it's you who holds the title. What is it to you anyway? Do you curtsy or bow for the Queen of England?

The French do not recognize those titles in their own nation, and Americans do not recognize or show deference to titles of any nation. It's an empty title, and it's fitting that it goes with him. If and when they divorce, she loses the title and his new wife gets it.

Anyone who watches the show (a guilty pleasure of mine, I admit it) should have seen this coming.

[dawlishgal]

I watched the episode in which the "family" went to see the statue. The kids (who probably know how their parents took advantage of the ambiguity of the word "give") seemed not all that impressed.

[tommy8]

In order to be a count a king or some other type a sovereign has to give you the title and the monarchy of France is no more so all the French counts are also no more. It is you that needs to do a little research, sparky.

[Sapna]

Aaaack! I don't know whether I am happy or sad for her. It is still awful when it happens to a woman. And she was defending him in that kitchen...No wonder she was on edge this whole season and clinging to her title like it was her saving grace.

[Amerigucci]

She wasn't exactly defending him. She was arguing that she hadn't married a man "twice her age", that he wasn't "an old man".

[pwr2dappl]

Now that's keepin' it real!

[theredqueen]

Does anyone think that the Count looks like Bernie M.?

[Sapna]

Yes!

[RobinD]

I love this show! Luann who's entire identity is about being married to a count. Kelly, who keeps saying what a private person she is (I guess she hasn't noticed the cameras). All the rest are just as hilarious, totally wrapped up with themselves. Narcisistic behavior on steriods.

[PalmGen]

LoL, your assessment is right on-point.

[dawlishgal]

Bravo....this is what makes the show fun to watch. Some highspots for me: Bettheny making fun of the gift of lingerie from her father's friend, praising the giver and his gift while in his presence, then dissing it later. Did she forget that her dissing will be on bleeping tv, and that the guy will probably see it? And Jill's way of telegraphing that she wanted the extremely expensive watch for her birthday, and her husband's little joke of pretending he got her some other expensive things instead. Yeah, hahahah..

At least it makes not being rich into a good thing. As my dad used to say, the virtue of being poor was that we didn't have to worry about being kidnapped and held for ransom. I can add to it....not having to deal with these women in person.

[Melanie226]

Therein lies the humor in this whole "Real Housewives" franchise. All of these women are so quick to show you their "fabulous" lives, but they are as disposable as used tissues. Once age takes its effect then it's so long wifey, and on to the next vacuous trophy bride.

[SingingBird]

I wouldn't be surprised if she sensed this was coming, tried saving the marriage, learned that saving the marriage wasn't an option and then decided to create her own revenue stream. If I were in her position (based on said assumptions) I would have done the same....capitalize on the publicity from the show and try to earn a respectable living. She's no fool.

Now granted, I don't care for some of her antics but everyone needs to make a living.

[OtayPanky]

"Luann was blindsided. She was just devastated," the close friend told Page Six. "They have basically lived apart for many years -- he lives in Europe and comes and goes as he pleases, but she never thought this would happen.

===

If she was blindsided by this, then what she really needs is a cane and a seeing-eye dog.

[Samirah1368]

LOL@what she really needs is a cane and a seeing-eye dog.

[davidwayneosedach]

Free publicity. Ah - she loves it!

[llmitchellb]

2 things:

1. Let him go (as long as he leaves the checkbook on the counter)!

2. Women of a certain social stature don't ever use the word "class" (or "classy" especially)! Tacky. Tacky. Tacky.

[k6007]

Number one was HILARIOUS! Well done.

[kolorkin]

one of the women i really do not like on the show. very pretentious

[calliope]

Agreed, she seems very pretentious and distant with her kids.

[Agentlady007]

I just don't see the loss here.

[greymom]

She is a gorgeous woman and won't have a hard time finding somebody new. I do hope she gets some instruction in basic grammar. If I hear her say "her" as the subject of a sentence one more time, I will throw my shoe at the TV. Her and Alex both made the blogs today.

[whoknew---]

Well, things like that happen....

still hope there isn't a prenup kind of a bad deal the way this woman found out about her husband....

don't get mad....just take the money and go your own way.....

[RoSull]

I imagine she knew that he was not always faithful, but just thought they would have one of "those marriages. A marriage of convenience. There are many people who look the other way because there is something to be gained by staying married or something not worth losing by getting a divorce.

[sweetwhine]

Is she not the 4th "Countess"? What did she think would happen.