Carole Radziwill is set to return to The Real Housewives of New York City for season 16 as a 'friend of' the main cast, weeks after her name appeared in files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The announcement by Bravo has divided fans, with some expressing excitement and others questioning the network's decision.
Radziwill, 62, starred on RHONY from 2012 to 2018. Her return was confirmed via an Instagram post stating: 'In the marathon of life, loyalty is everything. And because of Bravo fans’ loyalty, Carole Radziwill is returning to #RHONY as a friend-of for Season 16!!!' She will appear alongside current cast members Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy, and Jessel Taank, as well as newcomers Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond, and Daisy Toye.
Among the released Epstein documents were emails between Radziwill and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend now serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking. In one email, Maxwell called Radziwill 'the most wonderful, the most beautiful, the smartest, the best, the brightest.' An FBI document also noted Radziwill was in Epstein's black book and visited Maxwell's New York home.
Radziwill acknowledged knowing Maxwell 'socially' but denied knowledge of Epstein's activities, posting on X: 'Sure rich men, creepy people... obvs the men who were involved knew...I'm saying the social party friends especially us girls-- we didn't know.' Being named in the files does not indicate wrongdoing, and Radziwill has not been charged.
Bravo executive Andy Cohen, with whom Radziwill had a public feud after her departure, confirmed they reconciled via text. He welcomed her back on Watch What Happens Live in August 2025, and she later appeared at BravoCon in November 2025, fueling speculation of her return.
