Vicki Gunvalson: The only remaining housewife from the original 'RHOC'

vicki gunvalson will be back again for the latest season of Bravo's hit reality series "The Real Housewives of Orange County." The 55-year-old has been on "The Real Housewives of Orange County" (rhoc) since the show began back in March of 2006. Now going into Season 12, Vicki is the only housewife who is still a cast member on the long-running reality series.

It all began over 11 years ago

On March 21, 2006, the series premiere of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" aired on the Bravo network. During the first season, five housewives were cast for the show. Out of the five housewives on Season 1, Vicki is the only woman still starring on the show. The original five housewives were Vicki Gunvalson, Kimberly Bryant, Jeana Keough, Jo De La Rosa, and Lauri Waring.

"RHOC" was the original series in a long line of Real Housewife spinoffs on Bravo. After Orange County, Bravo followed with "Real Housewives of New York City," Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Beverly Hills, Miami, Potomac, and Dallas.

The franchise is such a huge success for the Bravo network and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It's anybody's guess as to which city will be next to represent a new batch of housewives.

Season 12 of 'RHOC' kicks off on July 10

This season on "Real Housewives of Orange County," viewers will watch as Vicki Gunvalson navigates her relationship with new boyfriend Steve Lodge, while she continues to grow her business, COTO Insurance. As if that doesn't keep her busy enough, Vicki has her daughter Briana and two grandsons to help care for. Briana's husband, Ryan Culberson, is a U.S. Marine who is stationed in Oklahoma. Culberson is waiting to be discharged so he can join Briana in their new home.

There is no doubt that Vicki Gunvalson will be involved with a lot of drama this season. That is one of the reasons she has lasted so long on the show. Vicki is very opinionated and is never afraid to speak her mind. Those characteristics often facilitate arguments with the other housewives, and this season viewers will likely see Vicki get into it with Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador.

The latest season of "Real Housewives of Orange County" premieres on Bravo this Monday, July 10 at 9/8c. Fans of the show will see not only Vicki, Tamra, and Shannon return from last season, but also Kelly Dodd and Meghan King Edmonds. Newcomers are Lydia McLaughlin, who appeared in season eight, and first-timer Peggy Sulahian.