A REAL Housewives of New York alum has changed her name and started studying for a PhD.
14 years after vanishing from the spotlight when she left RHONY, Alex McCord has got a whole new life – and a new name to boot.
Alex, 51, was one of the original stars of RHONY when the hit Bravo series first aired in March 2008.
The stunning reality star and her husband Simon Van Kempen moved from New York to Australia in 2014 with their two sons.
In 2020, Alex received her master degree in professional psychology.
And now she has just filed and published stage one of her PhD research.
Announcing the happy news on social media, Alex shared a smiley snap as she held her paper and grinned.
Despite her being named as Alex McCord on the front of her paper, her online survey for the research states her name is actually Sara.
“My name is Sara McCord and I am conducting this research as part of my PhD in the School of Psychology at the University of New England.
“My supervisors are Dr Kylie Rice and Dr Adam Rock,” the beginning states.
REAL NAME REVEALED IN 2020
This isn’t the first time Alex’s real name of Sara has been unveiled.
Alex got her degree in 2020 from the University of New England in Armidale, Australia, with her PhD also researched here, too.
Bethenny Frankel poses in bikini while poolside as fans praise RHONY alum
Announcing the news on social media five years ago, she said: “Call me master (not mistress),” revealing she had obtained her certificate.
She then shared a photo of the certificate, which stated she was named the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar “in recognition of outstanding endeavor and excellence in academic performance”.
Her photo also revealed that her legal first name is, surprisingly, “Sara”.
Once her PhD paper has been graded, Alex is expected to graduate with a degree in clinical psychology in 2025.
SHOOTING TO STARDOM
RHONY CAST THROUGH THE YEARS
Real Housewives of New York City premiered in 2008, but has had many cast changes since its early days on air
THE ORIGINAL CAST
Bethenny Frankel: Seasons 1-3, and 7-11
Luann de Lesseps: Seasons 1-13
Alex McCord: Seasons 1-4
Ramona Singer: Seasons 1-13
Jill Zarin: Seasons 1-4
SEASON TWO
Kelly Killoren Bensimon: Seasons 2-4
SEASON THREE
Sonja Morgan: Seasons 3-13
SEASON FOUR
Cindy Barshop: Season 4
SEASON 5
Aviva Drescher: Seasons 5-6
Carole Radziwill: Seasons 5-10
Heather Thomson: Seasons 5-7
SEASON SIX
Kristen Taekman: Seasons 6-7
SEASON SEVEN
Dorinda Medley: Seasons 7-12
SEASON EIGHT
Jules Wainstein: Season 8
SEASON NINE
Tinsley Mortimer: Seasons 9-12
SEASON TWELVE
Leah McSweeney: Seasons 12-13
SEASON THIRTEEN
Eboni K. Williams: Season 13
CURRENT CAST
Sai De Silva
Ubah Hassan
Erin Lichy
Jenna Lyons
Jessel Taank
Brynn Whitfield
In 2008, The Real Housewives of New York City catapulted onto our screens with its first ever season.
The original cast consisted of Alex McCord, Bethenny Frankel, Jill Zarin, Ramona Singer, and LuAnn de Lesseps.
Alex appeared in the first four seasons of the show with her husband Simon and their two sons.
At the time, she had a career in modeling and design.
She even released a book about juggling her career with her family life.
The book was titled Little Kids, Big City: Tales from a Real House in New York City (With Lessons on Life and Love for Your Own Concrete Jungle).
