Vicki Gunvalson.Photo:Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
Vicki Gunvalsonhas something new to celebrate.
The Real Housewives of Orange Countyalum, 61, was honored on Friday atBravoCon 2023with the first-ever ‘Wifetime’ Achievement Award, in celebration for her 18 years on the network.
For more of PEOPLE’s BravoCon coverage,click here.
Taking the stage — to a standing ovation from a crowd full of her Bravolebrity peers — Gunvalson held back tears as she accepted her trophy. “If you watched season 1, as Lauri reminded me, I was like, ‘I don’t want to get old’ — but here we are getting old together,” she said.
Vicki Gunvalson at BravoCon 2023.Trae Patton/Bravo via Getty
Trae Patton/Bravo via Getty
“I want to thank my sisterhood of all my housewives fans and friends and my cast members that we filmed with season 1, 18 years ago. I love you all,” she said. “Andy Cohen and Scott Dunlop who created this franchise and for seeing something in me that I didn’t see myself. None of this would be possible without all the fans who supported me and loved me through all the s— that I had. It has not been easy… everybody it has not been easy!”
“And Andy, for you — here’s my orange, should you need to give it to anyone,” she cheekily quipped.
Cohen firstannounced that Gunvalson would be an honoreeat this year’s BravoCon when she appeared onWatch What Happens LivealongsideTamra JudgeandShannon Storms Beadorin September.
“The recipient of that prestigious honor will be a person who embodies Housewives; someone who is willing to show herself as exactly who she is and have fun while doing it; a Housewife who has exceeded our wildest imaginations,” he said.
Gunvalsonexpressed her emotions during the aftershow, telling Cohen, “I am so blessed to be a part of this family. I really am. You know how much I love you and the legacy that we built together. We did this together as a family.”
Gunvalson had been a member of the beloved series since its debut in 2006. After beingmoved to a reduced role, sheannounced her exit from the showin a touching post onInstagramin January 2020.
Andy Cohen and Vicki Gunvalson.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty
In March 2020, sheopened up about her departurein a conversation with PEOPLE.
“I was ready to go. I have to say, I had a little bit of FOMO, I have to say, of not filming right now," she said. “Those last few years doing the show, for me, were really toxic, and when anything becomes toxic in my age at life — be it your career, relationships, friendships — you have to cut it out.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Since her departure, Gunvalson has appeared onThe Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Clubandreturnedas a guest star forRHOC’s 17th season.
BravoCon 2023 is taking place through Sunday at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
source: people.com
