If you tuned into the very first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills back in 2010, you probably remember the visceral reaction the world had to Camille Meyer—then known as Camille Grammer. She wasn't just another reality star; she was, for a time, the most polarizing woman on cable television.
She was the "villain." The one with the four nannies, the $50 million divorce looming in the background, and that infamous "Jesus complex" comment that launch a thousand memes. But looking at her now, in 2026, the narrative has shifted so drastically it’s almost hard to reconcile the "Season 1 Camille" with the woman who stands as a beloved, albeit still spicy, legend of the franchise.
What People Get Wrong About the Early Days
Most fans remember the "Dinner Party From Hell." You know the one—the medium, the e-cigarette, the absolute chaos at the dining table. But if you look closer, Camille from Beverly Hills Housewives was actually a woman whose entire world was imploding in front of a camera crew.
While she was being accused of being "pernicious" by Kyle Richards, her then-husband Kelsey Grammer was already checked out of the marriage. It’s wild to think about now, but Camille essentially used the show as a life raft while her 13-year marriage disintegrated. She’s since admitted she was "acting out" because of the immense pressure and the realization that her husband was leaving her for another woman.
Honestly, the "villain" edit was a gift and a curse. It made her a household name, but it also painted her as a caricature of Beverly Hills excess. People saw the $50 million settlement later on and thought "gold digger," completely ignoring that she was a partner in Grammnet Productions and actually helped "right the ship" when Kelsey was struggling with substance abuse and financial mismanagement earlier in their marriage.
The Health Battles Nobody Saw Coming
Beyond the diamonds and the drama, Camille has faced some truly heavy reality. This isn't the stuff of scripted taglines; it’s life-and-death survival.
In 2013, she was diagnosed with Stage II endometrial cancer. She underwent a radical hysterectomy, followed by a grueling regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. For a woman whose identity was partially tied to her past as a professional dancer on Club MTV, losing that sense of "femininity" through surgery was devastating.
She didn't just hide away, though. She became a massive advocate for gynecologic cancer awareness, pushing the "Love Your Lady Parts" campaign. Then, as if that wasn't enough, she faced a second cancer diagnosis—squamous cell carcinoma—in 2017.
- Genetic Factors: Camille carries the Lynch Syndrome gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of various cancers.
- Philanthropy: She has chaired the National Race to End Women's Cancer multiple times.
- The 2018 Fire: She famously lost her $13 million Malibu home in the Woolsey Fire, which she described as a "nightmare" she’s had to relive through recent California wildfire seasons.
Why Camille from Beverly Hills Housewives Keeps Coming Back
Bravo knows she’s gold. Even when she isn't a "Full-Time Housewife," Camille manages to stir the pot better than most of the permanent cast. Whether she’s "friend of" or just popping in for a cameo, the energy changes the second she walks into a room.
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Why? Because she’s unpredictable. One minute she’s the voice of reason, and the next she’s dropping a truth bomb that dismantles a three-season-long secret. She doesn't need the paycheck—her net worth still sits comfortably around $50 million—so she doesn't play by the "production rules" that younger cast members might follow.
She’s also one of the few who will publicly call out the show for becoming "too polished." She’s frequently taken to social media to pine for the days of Season 1, where the arguments were raw and "glam squads" didn't exist. She calls herself a "one-woman army," often fighting her own battles without the protection of a "Fox Force Five" alliance.
Life in 2026: The New Chapter
Camille is now Camille Meyer, having married attorney David C. Meyer in a stunning Hawaiian ceremony in 2018. She seems settled, yet she still keeps a foot in the door of the reality world.
Her daughter, Mason Grammer, has been making waves in the modeling world and there have been persistent rumors about her potentially joining a "Next Gen" version of the franchise. Camille has been protective but supportive, knowing exactly what that spotlight can do to a person.
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She’s basically the "Grand Dame" of Beverly Hills at this point. You don't have to like her—and many people still don't, especially following her controversial defense of certain political figures in recent years—but you have to respect the staying power. She survived a high-profile divorce, two bouts of cancer, a literal house fire, and the fickle nature of reality TV fame.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Followers
If you're following Camille's journey or looking to emulate her resilience, here’s what the "Camille Method" actually looks like:
- Own the Pivot: When your public image is at its worst, don't just hide. Camille used Season 2 as a "redemption arc" by being more vulnerable and honest. It worked.
- Listen to Your Body: Given her Lynch Syndrome diagnosis, Camille’s biggest piece of advice has always been proactive health screenings. If you have a family history of cancer, get the genetic testing.
- Diversify Your Identity: She was a dancer, then a producer, then a "Housewife," then a survivor. Don't let one label (or one bad season) define your entire life.
- Financial Literacy Matters: Part of why she walked away with $50 million wasn't just "luck"—it was because she was deeply involved in the business side of her marriage's production company from day one.
Camille Meyer remains a masterclass in how to handle the "Reality TV" machine without letting it grind you into dust. She’s wealthy, she’s healthy, and she’s still making headlines sixteen years after her debut. That's not just luck; that's a strategy.
Next Steps for Your RHOBH Fix:
If you want to dive deeper into the early seasons that Camille mentions so often, you can find the original Season 1 archives on Peacock. It’s worth a re-watch just to see how much the "unpolished" era of reality TV differs from the highly managed episodes we see today.