| Full Name: | Lisa Jane Vanderpump |
| Birthday: | September 15, 1960 (age 62) |
| Birthplace: | London, England |
| Parents: | Father owned a commodities empire |
| Spouse: | Ken Todd (married 1982-present) |
| Children: | 2 adoptive children |
| Known For: | The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules |
| Net Worth: | $90 million |
| Awards: | GLAAD Vanguard Award (2013) PETA Person of the Year (2016) |
As a loyal viewer and longtime fan, I‘ve eagerly followed Lisa Vanderpump‘s journey to reality TV royalty over the past decade. Her quick wit, unfiltered honesty, and fearless spirit make her an icon unlike any other. Let‘s take a closer look at what makes this British bombshell so fabulous.
Humble Beginnings in London
Long before her diamond-studded days, Lisa Vanderpump grew up in South London as part of an upperclass family. Her father owned a highly successful commodities company that afforded her a privileged upbringing.
From a young age, Lisa dreamed of being in the spotlight. She began acting as a child, nabbing small roles in British television shows and films. Her first big break came at age 9 when she was cast in the classic film A Touch of Class starring Glenda Jackson.
By her teens, the beautiful blue-eyed Brit was modeling full time. She booked over 400 modeling jobs, posing for magazines like Tatler and even Vogue.
Moving to America and Marrying Ken Todd
In her early 20s, Lisa crossed the pond and settled in Los Angeles. It was here in 1982 that she met Ken Todd, a successful restaurateur 16 years her senior. Despite their age gap, it was love at first sight for the pair.
Within just two months, 22-year-old Lisa and 38-year-old Ken were married in a private ceremony. They‘ve been together ever since, forming one of Hollywood‘s most enduring power couples.
According to Lisa, she and Ken are "best friends first, soulmates second, and partners third." Together they‘ve raised two adopted children, Pandora and Max, while building their impressive hospitality empire.
The Queen of Restaurants and Bars
Since moving to the States, Lisa and Ken have opened over 26 successful bars and restaurants together. Their very first joint venture was The Shadow Lounge in Beverly Hills back in 1991.
Over the years, they‘ve launched celebrity hotspots like Bar Soho, The Belmont, and Villa Blanca. Without question though, their most famous venue is SUR.
Short for “Sexy Unique Restaurant,” SUR first opened its doors in West Hollywood in 2005. With its dim lighting, exotic decor and aerial silk performers, it quickly became a haven for the hip and famous. A-listers like Miley Cyrus, Halle Berry, and Lady Gaga have all dined at SUR.
Of course, most people now recognize SUR as the backdrop for Lisa‘s hit Bravo show Vanderpump Rules. The series follows Lisa as she manages the restaurant‘s staff of young, sexy servers chasing their Hollywood dreams.
In total, Lisa and Ken‘s impressive hospitality empire includes:
- 26 restaurants and bars worldwide
- Over 600 employees
- Estimated brand value of over $200 million
Lisa‘s penchant for throwing lavish parties and herded fine dining and cocktails have earned her the nickname "Queen of Restaurants and Bars." She‘s also published three popular books on etiquette and entertaining.
Reigning RHOBH for 9 Seasons
Lisa Vanderpump‘s fame skyrocketed in 2010 when she joined the first season of Bravo‘s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. As the show‘s first British cast member, she brought a touch of sophistication and humor.
During her 9 seasons, Lisa became the undeniable Queen Bee of the franchise. She navigated the world of Bentleys and Botox while bedazzling fans with her quick wit and snarky remarks. Her posh accent and penchant for fancy fashions also made her a true style icon.
While the catfights and clashes made for good TV, Lisa also bared her soul during tender moments. She spoke openly about her struggles with depression and grief over her brother‘s suicide. These glimpses beneath the diamonds revealed her kind heart and authenticity.
After years as the sparkling star, Lisa made the difficult choice to walk away from RHOBH in 2019. She felt the toxic environment no longer aligned with her mental health and philanthropic passions. Her absence left a diamond-shaped void in the franchise that can never quite be filled.
The Vanderpump Dog Rescue Revolution
A lifelong animal lover, Lisa Vanderpump has dedicated herself to improving lives for dogs worldwide. Long before she was famous, she began informally fostering rescue animals in need of homes.
In 2016, Lisa and Ken took their passion project to the next level by opening Vanderpump Dogs. This non-profit organization aims to end animal abuse on both domestic and international levels.
Located in West Hollywood, the Vanderpump Dogs Rescue Center serves as a grooming salon, adoption facility and education center. Low-income families can even access affordable vet care for their pets.
Lisa uses her celebrity platform to raise money and awareness for animal welfare. She hosts annual fundraising events like World Dog Day that have raised over $2 million for rescue efforts.
Vanderpump Dogs now operates globally to expose and stop the horrors of the dog meat trade. Lisa even traveled to China to produce the documentary The Road To Yulin And Beyond exposing the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
To date, Vanderpump Dogs has provided over 2,000 adoptions and over 10,000 spay and neuter services. Their rescue efforts have saved thousands of lives – both canine and human. As Lisa said, “My mission is to help as many dogs as possible find their forever homes.”
Why We Love Lisa Vanderpump:
Her Wicked Wit: Whether she‘s shading her co-stars or dropping cheeky comments, Lisa always brings the laughs. Her biting sarcasm and dramatic eye rolls make for great reality TV.
Killer Style: With her love of pink and penchant for prim dresses, Lisa‘s style is positively iconic. She takes prim and proper to stylish new heights.
Unwavering Honesty: Lisa says exactly what‘s on her mind – filtered or not. She‘s not afraid of confrontation and always comes prepared with receipts.
Big Heart: Behind her diamond-dripping lifestyle, Lisa has a heart of gold. She‘s dedicated herself to charity work and has fostered over 100+ rescue dogs.
Cultured Class: As a proper British lady, Lisa elevates any setting with her sophistication and etiquette. She‘s a true connoisseur of cocktails, cuisine and class.
Lisa‘s Lasting Legacy
Without a doubt, Lisa Vanderpump has left an indelible mark on popular culture thanks to her larger-than-life personality. She‘s paved the way for other unapologetic, unfiltered reality stars to be their authentic selves.
While reality TV may have launched her celebrity, Lisa‘s business savvy, activism and philanthropy work cement her icon status. She‘s so much more than 15 seasons of signature pink outfits and pithy quips.
At 62, the diamond-bedazzled diva shows no signs of slowing down. She continues using her platform for good – making the world a little more fabulous with each endeavor. Cheers to the one and only Lisa Vanderpump!