Alex McCord’s Life Looks Very Different 15 Years After Leaving RHONY

It has been 15 years since Alex McCord left “The Real Housewives of New York City,” and plenty has changed since viewers last regularly saw her on Bravo.

McCord appeared on RHONY from seasons 1 through 4 and left the franchise in 2011. She later moved from Brooklyn to Australia with her husband, Simon van Kempen, and their sons, Francois and Johan. The family settled near Byron Bay after deciding they wanted to live closer to van Kempen’s relatives and give their children more time with extended family.

McCord and van Kempen are also still going strong to this day. The couple celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary in May 2026, one year after marking their silver anniversary with a trip to Vanuatu. Their sons, who were small children when RHONY premiered in 2008, are now adults. Francois is nearly 23, while Johan is almost 20. Both Francois and Johan attended university in Australia. The NSW State Emergency Services also recognized Francois for his work during the 2022 floods.

Alex McCord Completely Changed Careers After Leaving RHONY

The biggest change in McCord’s life has come in her career. After relocating to Australia, she decided to pursue psychology and eventually focused on aging-related conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

“I decided to get a degree in psychology,” McCord previously told Bravo Insider.

That decision eventually led to a major milestone. McCord earned her PhD in clinical psychology and graduated from the University of New England in May 2026.

Van Kempen also made a career change. After working in hotel property management during the couple’s RHONY years, he pursued law and joined his brother in expanding Van Kempen & Associates.

“You know when something is so right, it just clicks? They went into this joint venture together, and it has just skyrocketed, which is just amazing,” McCord said. “I am so proud of him. He has so much mojo right now. He’s on fire, which is fantastic.”

McCord’s life may look very different these days, but Bravo viewers will soon see her again. She is returning to the Housewives world on “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” marking her first franchise appearance in 15 years.

Tell us! Do you ever think we will get to see Alex’s RHUGT? Let us know in the comments below.

Alex McCord Addresses RHONY Fallout as Andy Cohen Opens Up About Unseen ‘Ultimate Girls Trip’

About Perry Carpenter

Perry Carpenter has been covering entertainment news for more than 20 years — and yes, she absolutely has opinions about the latest Bravo casting shake-ups. Throughout her career, she has specialized in celebrity news and television, with a particular obsession for all things Bravo, "The Challenge," "Outlander," of course, Travis & Taylor, and the ever-expanding Taylor Sheridan universe. A member of the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors, Perry has built a storied freelance career covering pop culture's biggest moments and smallest Easter eggs. Her work has appeared in Showbiz Cheatsheet, Daily Express, Radar Online, and on her Muck Rack profile.