With her larger-than-life persona, flair for drama and unfiltered hijinks, Sonja Morgan has become a fan favorite on Bravo‘s hit reality series The Real Housewives of New York City. But behind the TV fame lies the story of a small town girl who skyrocketed to socialite status. Get to know the woman behind the RHONY legacy.
| Full Name | Sonja Tremont Morgan |
|---|---|
| Birthday | November 25, 1963 |
| Age | 59 |
| Birthplace | Albany, New York, United States |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | 1 daughter, Quincy Adams Morgan |
| Height | 5‘7" |
| Net Worth | $8 million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok |
Image: Sonja Morgan attends The Real Housewives of New York City Season 9 Premiere Party at Beautique in New York City on April 5, 2017. Photo: Shutterstock
Early Life and Family
Sonja Tremont spent her childhood on a farm in rural upstate New York as the daughter of farmer parents. From a young age, she dreamed of escaping small town life and living a cosmopolitan, glamorous lifestyle. According to Sonja, “I always felt destined for more.”
After high school, Sonja left her tight-knit family behind to study marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She funded her college education with multiple jobs, like waitressing and modeling.
Upon graduating, the small-town farm girl set out to take New York City by storm.
Modeling, Society Wife and Motherhood
In her early 20s, Sonja traveled Europe signed with top modeling agencies in Paris and Milan. She graced runways and appeared in print ads for fashion houses like Givenchy and Azzedine Alaïa. “Modeling allowed me to live the jet-set life I’d always dreamed of,” Sonja recalls.
After years of globetrotting, Sonja returned to New York City where she mingled with high society. At a party in 1998, she was introduced to John Adams Morgan of the prominent Morgan family banking dynasty.
“It was love at first sight,” Sonja has said of meeting her future husband. The two married later that year in a lavish ceremony at his family‘s estate.
As John Morgan‘s wife, Sonja hobnobbed with celebrities, politicians and New York‘s upper crust. She gave birth to a daughter named Quincy in 2000 and settled into life as a society wife and mother.
Behind closed doors, however, tensions grew between Sonja and the Morgan family over finances that ultimately led to divorce.
RHONY, Life After Divorce and Comeback
Sonja and John Adams Morgan divorced in 2008 after a decade of marriage. Their highly publicized split made tabloid headlines for years as divorce proceedings unfolded. Sonja reportedly received a $3 million settlement.
Ready for a fresh start, Sonja joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City when it premiered its third season in 2010. She quickly became the show‘s comic relief with her overt sexuality, affinity for partying and humorous one-liners.
“I wanted to show the world who I really am,” Sonja has said of joining RHONY. “Not just the society wife – I‘m so much more.”
As a newly single socialite, Sonja wasn‘t afraid to ditch the uptight manners of the Upper East Side. She began dating younger men, throwing lavish burlesque parties and building her brand as a lifestyle entrepreneur.
Sonja launched a fashion collection, jewelry line, toaster oven collaboration and founded her Sonja in the City events planning company.
“I’m not going to live off my ex-husband’s dime,” she told Forbes in 2011 as she worked to build her own fortune. “I support myself.”
In 2015, Sonja showed her struggles with bankruptcy and financial woes after her bitter divorce on RHONY. But in recent years, she‘s bounced back through her various businesses and partnerships.
12 seasons later, Sonja is still a central character on the hit show, giving fans a glimpse into her over-the-top lifestyle.
Flamboyant Fashionista and Self-Made Success
Beyond RHONY, Sonja enjoys spending time with her now 22-year-old daughter Quincy, whom she calls her greatest accomplishment. The two share a close bond.
When she’s not filming or parenting, Sonja can be found at her beloved Berkshires home, affectionately dubbed "Sonja‘s sexy J cabin." The quaint mansion serves as a retreat from her hectic Manhattan life.
Sonja is also known for her bold, flashy fashion sense, often spotted in sequins, bright colors, and statement hats. “I just love getting all dolled up,” she says.
From runway model to society wife to TV personality, Sonja has undergone quite the evolution over the years. But through it all, her spirit remains unchanged.
“I’ve been through more lows than I can count, but I just keep on going,” Sonja reflects. “There’s no point in dwelling on the past.”
Now entering her 60s, Sonja is focused on the future. She continues to grow her brand while staying true to her motto: "Go big, or go home." Sonja Morgan does nothing in moderation.
Sonja-isms: Her Witty One-Liners
Part of what makes Sonja so beloved is her hilarious commentary and zingy one-liners. Here are some of the most memorable:
- "I‘m all about the three G‘s — God, girth, and greed."
- “I don’t know if there’s a God, but I do know that I’m going to meet him someday, and he’s going to say, in a fabulous English accent, ‘Sonja, you’re a mess, but damn, girl, you’re funny.’"
- “Don’t tell me it’s not about the Morgan name, because it is about the Morgan name. I’m Sonja Morgan from the New York Morgans.”
- “We‘re all looking for the things money can‘t buy. Like a solid gold toilet.”
- “I’m not going to live my life on my ex-husband’s dime. I support myself.”
- “Beauty comes from within, so take care of yourself inside and out.”
By the Numbers
- 3 businesses launched by Sonja: fashion line, jewelry line, event planning company
- 1 daughter: Quincy Adams Morgan, born in 2000
- 10 years married to John Adams Morgan before divorcing in 2008
- $3 million divorce settlement from Morgan family
- 9,600 sq ft Berkshires home dubbed "Sonja‘s sexy J cabin"
- 400k+ social media followers
- 250k+ Sonja by Sonja Morgan toaster ovens sold on QVC
- 100+ combined episodes of RHONY starring Sonja
The Sonja Credo: Her Rules for Living
Over a decade in the public eye has taught Sonja a thing or two about handling life‘s ups and downs with grace. This is the motto she lives by:
- “Know your self-worth.”
- “Surround yourself with people who genuinely support you.”
- “Work hard, play hard.”
- “Beauty comes from within.”
- “Live your best life every day.”
- “Don’t dwell on the past.”
- “Look forward, stay positive.”
- “It can only go up from here!”
Sonja Morgan continues to enthral fans with her one-of-a-kind lifestyle and zest for living. She‘s a testament to the power of perseverance, authenticity and unapologetic joy. Say what you will, Mrs. Morgan, but you‘ll always be RHONY‘s Grand Dame.
