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Born in London, Lisa Vanderpump began ballet at age 3 and continued her performing arts training for years, eventually attending a prestigious drama school.
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Ballet classes and drama school marked the start of Vanderpump's successful career in the UK. At 13, she landed her first movie role in 'A Touch of Class' and later appeared on various TV shows, including the ITV series Kids.
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Lisa Vanderpump's acting career took off early, and she became financially independent without help from her parents. By 19, after starring in over 100 commercials, she bought her flat in Fulham. "I never had any financial help after leaving home," she shared to 'Daily Express'.
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In an interview with 'The Wall Street Journal', Lisa Vanderpump shared that she and Naomi Campbell both appeared on the series 'Kids'. She said Naomi, even as an 8-year-old, was very confident and described her as a "little spitfire." Vanderpump also listed her other child acting roles, including 'John Halifax', 'Gentleman', two episodes of 'Katy', and the horror movie 'Killer's Moon'.
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As Lisa Vanderpump's career took off with TV roles, music videos, and ads, she was also in a difficult relationship. She told the 'Daily Express' that her abusive ex grabbed her by the neck, making her realize she needed to leave. Vanderpump talked about this on 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hill's Season 6 reunion, saying she was threatened and hurt at 19. In a Bravo blog, she shared her relief at escaping that situation and now being in a supportive, loving relationship.
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Vanderpump is a fan favorite on 'Real Housewives', and her husband, Ken Todd, is just as cherished as a Househusband. Their strong bond is evident on screen, and it all began with an instant spark. Lisa revealed on Stassi Schroeder's podcast that she met Ken through her brother, who was working at a nightclub. Although Ken was 16 years older and had a reputation as a playboy, Lisa felt an immediate connection, even though she was seeing someone else at the time.
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Lisa shared with Stassi that she took a trip to America shortly after their first meeting. When she returned to London, she ran into Ken again, and he asked her out. Just six weeks after their first date, they were engaged—and the rest is history!
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Before joining 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills', Vanderpump had doubts about becoming a reality TV star. She worried about how it might affect her 18-year-old son and wasn't familiar with the Housewives universe, thinking she might not fit in. Despite her concerns, she joined the first season and quickly became popular with her wit and charm.
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Vanderpump left 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' in 2019 after the "Puppygate" drama. She shared that filming was tough, with the whole cast turning against her while she was already struggling after her brother Mark’s death.
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After returning to England, Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd continued to grow their empire. According to 'The Hollywood Reporter', they opened 30 restaurants, bars, and clubs in the city over two decades, attracting celebrities like George Michael and Elton John. They later sold some of these establishments, earning a substantial profit.
Take a look at the life and career of Lisa Vanderpump through these photos.
From her early days in showbiz to becoming a reality TV star and entrepreneur, this gallery captures the key moments of her journey. Explore the highlights of this British icon’s path to fame.