Sonja Morgan Net Worth

What is Sonja Morgan's net worth?

Sonja Morgan is an American socialite, former model, film producer, entrepreneur, and reality television star who has a net worth of $8 million. Sonja Morgan is most famous for being one of the stars of Bravo's reality show "The Real Housewives of New York."

Sonja first gained national fame after marrying John Adams Morgan, a banking heir and great-grandson of legendary financier J.P. Morgan, in 1998. Though their marriage ended in divorce in 2006, Sonja retained the Morgan name and the social connections that came with it. On "The Real Housewives of New York," she became one of the show's most beloved figures, known for her quick wit, champagne-soaked humor, and willingness to laugh at her own ups and downs.

Off-screen, Morgan has dabbled in numerous ventures, including her fashion brand "Sonja by Sonja Morgan," a jewelry collection, and her sparkling wine line "Tipsy Girl." She has also appeared in films such as "The Man in the Attic" (1995) and "Animals" (2008), and she has been active in philanthropy, supporting causes that aid children, the LGBTQIA+ community, artists, and animal welfare. Despite experiencing financial setbacks after her divorce, Sonja has maintained her public image as one of New York's most resilient and entertaining socialites.

Early Life

Sonja Tremont was born on November 25, 1963, in Albany, New York. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned a bachelor's degree in marketing. After college, she moved to Europe, working as a fashion model in Paris and Milan during the 1980s. Her exposure to international fashion circles gave her a flair for style and presentation that would later define her career as a New York society figure.

Marriage to John Adams Morgan

Sonja met John Adams Morgan in the late 1990s while working as a hostess at San Pietro, a high-end Italian restaurant in Manhattan frequented by elite financiers and socialites. The two reconnected later in Aspen, and after a whirlwind courtship, John proposed over dinner that same night. They married in 1998, despite a 33-year age gap.

John Adams Morgan came from one of America's most storied financial families. His father, Henry Sturgis Morgan, co-founded Morgan Stanley, and his great-grandfather, J.P. Morgan, founded the banking giant J.P. Morgan & Co. Through his mother's lineage, John is also a direct descendant of U.S. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Beyond finance, he was an accomplished yachtsman, having won a gold medal in the six-meter class sailing competition at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

Sonja and John welcomed their daughter, Quincy Adams Morgan, in October 2000. Quincy went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania. The couple divorced in 2006, and Sonja later claimed that John had failed to pay her $3 million in divorce settlement obligations and owed over $300,000 in child support. She has also alleged that he barred her from visiting certain properties they once owned together. Despite these legal disputes, Sonja retained the Morgan name and the social cachet it carried in New York society.

Reality Television Career

Sonja Morgan became a household name when she joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of New York City" during its third season, debuting in April 2010. She quickly established herself as one of the franchise's most dynamic personalities—a glamorous yet relatable single mother who combined high-society elegance with disarming humor. Her love of entertaining, spontaneous antics, and willingness to poke fun at her own excesses made her a fan favorite.

Over 11 seasons on "RHONY," Sonja became synonymous with moments of both chaos and charm, from her lavish parties at the "Sonja Morgan Townhouse" to her emotional discussions about rebuilding her life post-divorce. She also appeared on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" with Patti Stanger, where she worked to revamp her love life following her on-and-off relationship with fellow "Housewives" personality Harry Dubin.

Outside of reality television, Sonja has launched several creative and business ventures. She wrote a lighthearted cookbook featuring toaster oven recipes and famously teased a line of branded "Sonja Toaster Ovens," though the product never materialized. Her lifestyle brand, "Sonja by Sonja Morgan," features clothing and accessories reflecting her signature blend of sophistication and playfulness. She has also discussed plans to adapt her personal story into a screenplay and book about her life and marriage to John Morgan.

Beyond business, Sonja has dedicated time to philanthropy through her "Sonja in the City" events—elegant charity fundraisers supporting causes related to children's welfare, the arts, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, and animal protection.

In 2016, Sonja made her Off-Broadway debut in the comedy "Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man," playing a repressed teacher in a role that allowed her to blend theatrical performance with her trademark humor. She later continued performing cabaret and comedy routines at venues such as Improv Asylum and 54 Below, often sharing the stage with her "RHONY" co-star Luann de Lesseps.

From her socialite roots to her entrepreneurial endeavors and Bravo stardom, Sonja Morgan has built a uniquely enduring career. Her blend of self-deprecating wit, eccentric flair, and unapologetic honesty have made her one of the most recognizable and entertaining figures in the "Real Housewives" universe—and a fixture in New York's cultural landscape.

Salary

Sonja Morgan made $465,000 per episode of The Real Housewives of New York.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Bankruptcy

In November 2010, Sonja filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In the filing, she cited $13.5 million in assets and $19.8 million in debts. Approximately $7 million of that debt resulted from a court judgment against her movie production company. The judgment concerned a failed movie project called "Fast Flash to Bang Time," which was supposed to star John Travolta. According to a filing sometime later, the socialite still owned her $9 million NYC townhouse and an $8 million French Chateau in St. Tropez, both free and clear without mortgages. On June 17, 2014, it was revealed that a trustee in the bankruptcy case had sold off the French Chateau for $5.7 million.

Real Estate

In 1998, Sonja and John Adams Morgan paid $9.1 million for a townhouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The five-story townhouse is located on a tree-lined street and has 4,650 square feet with five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, an elevator, and five fireplaces. Morgan's first floor features hardwood floors and a living room with an office area that opens to the ground-floor garden. The second floor holds the dining room and a small library. The second-floor kitchen, located near the dining room, features mahogany cabinetry, green granite countertops, and a tall row of windows overlooking the backyard. The third floor is home to the master suite, featuring a private sitting room and study, a soaking tub and separate shower, and walk-in closets. The fourth floor features a bedroom, a gym, a small kitchenette, and two sets of French doors that open onto a terrace. The fifth floor has two additional bedrooms with walk-in closets. Here is a video tour:

In 2013, Sonja listed the home for sale for $9.95 million. By 2015, she had lowered the price to $7.2 million. She took the home off the market for a period and then re-listed it for $10.75 million in March 2020. Sonja moved out of the townhouse in 2018 and rented it for $32,000 per month.

At one point in January 2020, Sonja reportedly had an all-cash offer for the property that came in just under $12 million. Sonja apparently rejected the offer as the COVID pandemic became serious and forced her to stay in the home. In July 2022, Sonja re-listed the townhouse, this time for $8.75 million.

Sonja also owns a $1.6 million, two-bedroom high-rise apartment in the Columbus Circle area of Manhattan. The apartment has a small balcony offering birds-eye views of the busy Columbus Circle 12 stories below.

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