Jacqueline Laurita

Jacqueline Laurita (née Grippe) is an American television personality, best known for her role on Bravo's reality series "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" (RHONJ).

Laurita joined RHONJ as one of the original cast members in 2009 and appeared as a main cast member until the conclusion of the fifth season. She returned as a 'Friend of the Housewives' in the sixth season and resumed her role as a main cast member in the seventh season. In April 2017, she announced she would not be returning for the series' eighth season.

Beyond her television career, Laurita is a licensed cosmetologist with a passion for beauty and wellness. She is also an advocate for autism awareness, inspired by her experiences raising her son Nicholas, who was diagnosed with autism. Laurita has collaborated with national charities such as Autism Speaks to promote understanding and support for individuals with autism.

In her personal life, Laurita was first married to Matt Holmes, with whom she has a daughter named Ashlee. She married Chris Laurita in 2002, and they have two sons, C.J. and Nicholas. As of recent updates, Laurita resides on the West Coast and describes herself as "retired in O.C."

A defining moment in Laurita’s life came when her youngest son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with autism. This life-changing experience profoundly shaped her public and personal journey. Laurita used her platform to spread awareness about autism, becoming a passionate advocate for early intervention and support for families with children on the spectrum. In addition to sharing Nicholas's developmental journey openly on social media and television, Laurita has been involved in fundraising efforts and public speaking engagements to promote autism research and education. She has also collaborated with organizations such as Autism Speaks, earning praise for her commitment to advocacy and education.