Erika Hammond planned to give her “Real Housewives of New York City” castmates the ultimate luxury getaway, but the trip to her family’s private island quickly turned into a debate over who actually owns the property.
During the October 6 episode of RHONY season 16, Erika welcomed the Housewives to Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, where she and her billionaire husband, Ankur Jain, share a stunning estate with his family.
The women arrived by boat, then were whisked away in golf carts to the family’s property, aptly named Oasis. Erika even revealed that the sprawling home and its pool were designed in the shape of a yacht.
“I’m so excited to host the girls on the island. It’s one of my happy places,” Erika told producers.
However, the tropical getaway took an unexpected turn when Daisy Toye and Erin Lichy questioned what Erika meant by calling the destination her private island.
And Erika wasn’t exactly thrilled about the interrogation.
Erika Hammond Offers RHONY Castmates the Deed Amid Private Island Questions
During the episode, Erika explained that Moskito Island isn’t owned by one person or family. Instead, nine families share ownership of the island, with each maintaining its own estate.
“[The families] have estates on the island…we all pay for the island, so we all have a share,” Erika explained.
She added that the families share amenities, including the beach and tennis courts, and contribute toward the island’s upkeep through an arrangement similar to homeowners association fees.
Erika also addressed the common misconception that billionaire Richard Branson owns the entire island.
“He owns Necker,” she explained, referring to a neighboring island. “He has a piece of this one, but it’s part of the families that own it.”
But when Daisy and Erin continued questioning the arrangement, Erika had clearly heard enough.
“I have a house on this island. I don’t know what you’re questioning. Here you go, you want the deed?” she fired back.
Erika later clarified the ownership situation during “The Real Housewives of New York City After Show.”
“It’s a private island. It’s Moskito Island. Richard Branson originally bought it, and then now it’s nine families who own this private island. And we each have our own estates,” she said.
Sai De Silva also defended her longtime friend, insisting that the island’s shared ownership doesn’t make it any less exclusive.
“It’s still a private island. It is private,” Sai said. “There are no restaurants. Anybody just can’t come on the island, and then move on in, like it’s a private island.”
The RHONY Newbie Reveals Her First Visit to Billionaire Husband Ankur Jain’s Family Island
While the Housewives were busy debating property ownership, Erika also shared a funny story about her first visit to Moskito Island in 2021.
The trip marked her introduction to Ankur’s entire family, three years before the couple married.
Wanting to make a good impression, Erika arrived with a thoughtful gift.
“I even bought a gift, this personalized beach blanket,” she recalled.
Unfortunately, she quickly realized her present might not have been necessary.
“And then I shortly realized obviously, these people don’t need a beach blanket,” Erika joked.
Despite the questions surrounding ownership, Erika’s family estate provided the RHONY cast with a luxury Caribbean getaway unlike their typical group trips.
New episodes of “The Real Housewives of New York City” air Tuesdays on Bravo.
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