Adrienne Maloof, the former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, is facing the emotional challenges of being an empty nester. Now that her three sons have grown into adults and left the house, she reflects on the bittersweet reality of their absence. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, she opened up about the profound sadness of this life change, especially during the holiday season.
The 63-year-old businesswoman, who shares her children with ex-husband Paul Nassif, mentioned that her oldest son, Gavin, is now 21 and working in the entertainment industry, while her twins, Colin and Christian, are 18. “It’s sad,” Maloof admits, adding that despite her sons returning home for Christmas, it didn’t feel like enough. “It’s never enough for moms,” she says, highlighting how the absence of her children has left a void in her life.
The hardest part for Maloof? The silence. “I like excitement. I like laughter,” she says, reminiscing about the energy her sons and their friends brought to her home. “I miss that. I really do.” Without the bustle of kids and their friends filling her space, the quiet of an empty house has become one of the most difficult adjustments for the reality star.
Despite the sadness, Maloof is looking forward to the next chapter of her life. The empty-nesting experience has encouraged her to focus on future opportunities. “I’ve learned that I got to get on to the next chapter in my life,” she explains, excited about some upcoming projects she is working on. “I’m blessed for that,” she adds, indicating that there’s more ahead to look forward to.
Throughout her career, Maloof has learned resilience, particularly working in male-dominated fields. Raised with brothers, she had to develop toughness, a quality she attributes to her father. “Whatever your brothers can do, you’re going to do it better,” he would tell her, empowering her to become a strong leader and businesswoman.
While she remains tight-lipped about specific details, Maloof shared that one of her upcoming projects is a docuseries focused on her family’s sports and Vegas-based businesses. She reflects on how, before joining The Real Housewives, her family was primarily known for their connection to the sports world and casinos. “People didn’t know I even had a sister until Housewives started,” she says, explaining how the show gave her a platform to showcase her personal and professional life.
Maloof also reveals her deeper passion lies in helping others. Despite the glamour associated with her life, she believes in focusing on making a positive impact. “What are you going to do for humanity? What are you going to do to make the world a better place?” she asks, explaining that her philanthropic work is what truly drives her.
