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The Real Housewives of Potomac original housewife Karen Huger and her husband, Ray, opened up about how her new career has affected their marriage during the fifth season. In a recent interview, Huger credited the show with “helping” her relationship.

Karen Huger and Ray Huger attend La'Dame Fragrance Pop-up at Bloomingdales
Karen Huger and Ray Huger attend La’Dame Fragrance Pop-up at Bloomingdales | Brian Stukes

Karen Huger an OG of ‘The Real Housewives of Potomac’

In 2016, Virginia-native Karen Huger debuted on The Real Housewives of Potomac alongside current cast members Ashley Darby, Gizelle Bryant, and Robyn Dixon.

During the first couple of seasons, Huger, who generally got along with everyone, butt heads with Darby and remained notoriously quiet regarding her husband’s public tax issues.

Additionally, she launched her fragrance, La Dame, a nod to her self-imposed grand dame of Potomac title, which has since become very successful.

In the fifth season, Huger found herself stuck between Monique Samuels and Candiace Dillard because the ladies got into a physical altercation. Even though Huger felt pressured to pick a side as the other housewives did, she chose to stay neutral.

Karen Huger and husband Ray got honest about marriage struggles

The fifth season also delved more into her 25-year marriage to software executive Ray Huger, who she previously affectionately referred to as “the black Bill Gates.”

Before appearing on the show, the Grand Dame primarily took care of the household while her husband worked. However, RHOP has opened several doors for the Virginia-native, and she has now become the primary breadwinner, which put a strain on their marriage.

Huger opened up to a few housewives at the beginning of the fifth season about her husband’s tax issues for the first time and admitted she “soldiered up” and covered his expenses.

She and Ray also spoke about their marriage in the Sept. 28 episode when he revealed he “thinks” he’s still in love with his wife. The two continued unpacking their relationship during a walk in the Oct. 18 episode, and they realized the impact of her new career as Ray is at a point where he wants to settle down.

He later thanked his wife for financially pitching in to help him cover his taxes, and they seem to be in a better place.

Huger believes ‘reality TV helped’ her marriage

In a Nov. 9 interview with Reality Chat, the OG Potomac housewife opened up about discussing her marriage issues on television. She explained it wasn’t difficult to share because she knows she “signed up for reality TV.” The Grand Dame also noted Ray’s ability to be transparent while filming “shocked” her.

However, she believes opening up on-screen was “therapeutic” for him, even though some of it might have been difficult for her to hear. Huger credits “reality TV” for aiding her relationship because it helped start “the conversation” and has ultimately helped their process to begin working through their issues.

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‘RHOP’: Karen Huger Insists She Never Told Candiace Dillard To ‘Press Charges’ Against Monique Samuels

Although filming has ended, the Grand Dame notes she and Ray are still working on their marriage by continuing to communicate, understanding each other’s love languages, and repeatedly reminding themselves “what’s really important.”

After the episodes aired, Huger realized she made the right decision by opening up because she claims many fans have contacted her and thanked her for “being authentic” as others have gone through the same thing. The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo.

Follow Tamara Grant on Twitter.

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