Luann de Lesseps has lived such an iconic life. The Real Housewives of New York City alum is a touring cabaret performer and mom of two. But before that, she was a nurse, a model, and was even married to a Count.
Although she lives such a fabulous life now, Luann has cited her humble beginnings as the inspiration that brought her to where she is today. “I grew up in a middle-class family as one of seven children… I have a whole past,” she told Women’s Day in 2017.
This is even how she introduced herself in RHONY Season 1 when it debuted on Bravo in 2008. “I grew up in Connecticut,” Luann explained in the debut season of RHONY. “Then I was a model in New York; moved to Milan.”
Luann de Lesseps’ childhood photo is a must-see
Luann’s childhood photo shows just where she started from. In the photo, Luann can be seen sitting down with her hands in her lap, smiling for the camera, while sporting some seriously cute bangs.
A black and white image of Luann de Lesseps as a child.
Photo: Courtesy of Luann de Lesseps
See Luann de Lesseps young in a throwback prom photo
Like many teens, Luann attended the prom. She looked so pretty in her mauve halter neck dress and short feathered haircut, standing hand-in-hand with her handsome date, who wore a boutonniere pinned to the lapel of his tuxedo.
Luann de Lesseps as a teenager posing with her date for prom.
Photo: Courtesy of Luann de Lesseps
Of course, Luann went on to marry Count Alexandre de Lesseps in 1993. After a whirlwind romance and wedding and two children, the couple divorced after 17 years. Although Luann had been known by RHONY viewers as the “Countess” she told the Connecticut Post in 2019, that she is far more than just that. “I’m just a girl from Connecticut who ended up marrying a French aristocrat,” she said.
Young Luann de Lesseps had a career as a nurse
Luann spent part of her career as a geriatric nurse. “I became a nurse because I fell in love with the elderly,” she explained to Women’s Day. On multiple occasions, Luann has shared the following photo from her nursing days as she poses sitting against a professional backdrop. She most recently posted it to Instagram in May 2024, in honor of National Nurses Week.
“Once a nurse, always a nurse! One of my proudest achievements,” she wrote in the caption of the post.
Luann de Lesseps as a young woman smiling in a nurses uniform.
Photo: Courtesy of Luann De Lesseps
What does Luann de Lesseps’ life look like today?
Luann is now touring the nation with her cabaret tour and she’s also a proud mom to her two adult kids — daughter, Victoria, and son, Noel. Like mom, they are in creative professions.
In an August 2024 interview with The Daily Dish, Luann gave a major update on Noel and Victoria, who both make art. “He’s doing really well with his art,” Luann said of Noel. “So I’m very proud. If you check him out on Instagram, you’ll see his work is amazing. My daughter still paints and is an artist, but lately she’s been into teaching meditation and connecting to the power of the soul. You know, all that good stuff. She’s doing very well and teaching, actually.”