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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.
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'.
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!
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.
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.
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Vanderpump shared with 'Hello'! that menopause was a tough experience for her, feeling like she was reliving her teenage years. It was hard to deal with and watching herself age on TV didn’t help. To manage aging, she uses a five-point plan: staying positive, exercising, eating well, keeping a good attitude, and getting Botox. She also appreciates her husband, Ken Todd, for being supportive and helping her through it.
Lisa Vanderpump brought her passion for dogs and reality TV together in 'Vanderpump Dogs', which launched on Peacock in the summer 2021. The show focuses on her Vanderpump Dog Foundation, giving viewers a look into the adoption process at her rescue facility. Alongside Lisa, the series features key staff members like Dr. Andrew Y. Kushnir, groomers Brian Marshall and Patrick Miller-Wren, trainer Madeline Quint, and social media expert Summer Loftis.
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The drama-filled 10th season of 'Vanderpump Rules' not only brought in the show's highest ratings but also earned Lisa 'Vanderpump' her first-ever Emmy nomination. As executive producer, she was nominated for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program in 2023, and the show also received a nomination for Outstanding Picture Editing in the same category. "I actually got goosebumps and cried," she told 'E! News' after hearing the news. "To reach this level after 13 years is unexpected, and I don’t take it for granted," Vanderpump added.
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.