itch Haaseth/NBC
In the past year, The Real Housewives of Orange County's self-proclaimed "hottest Housewife," Tamra Barney, went from being happily married to newly single. In early January, Barney's husband of 11 years, Simon, filed for divorce, citing infidelity and verbal abuse. "I've never cheated on him, so I don't exactly know what he means by that," the 42-year-old mom of four tells iVillage. "And then verbal abuse. I'm so verbally abusing him in my head right now."
But despite her marital drama, which has played out in front of the O.C. cameras, Barney is staying positive. "I'm sure I'm going to go through many ups and downs with emotions, but right now I feel good," she says. And does she see dating in her near future? "There will be a time that I date, but right now I'm just focusing on my kids and trying to get settled in my new apartment and just waiting to see what happens next," says Barney.
What won't be happening next is a close friendship with Barney's on-and-off nemesis and costar, Gretchen Rossi. "I think so much has been said between the two of us that I don’t think we'll ever be best friends, but we can be cordial to each other in social environments," says Barney, joking, "You know I don't call her up and ask her, 'Hey how you doing? You and Slade want to come over?'"
Watch our exclusive iVillage video with the Bravo star to find out how her son Ryan -- who never got along with Simon -- feels about her divorce, how the split has helped her relationship with castmate Vicki Gunvalson and if she really thinks she's the hottest Housewife.
Do you feel it's a good thing that Tamra and Simon have split? Chime in below!
Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo on Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET
Plus, see other exclusive Housewives videos!
- Lynne Curtin: 'I Need Some Lessons on Parenting'
- Vicki Gunvalson and Jeana Keough Are Over the Drama
- Kim Zolciak: 'People Aren't Always Going to Be Nice'
- Lisa Wu Hartwell's 'Clock Is Ticking'
