Profile
Gretchen Rossi Biography
Gretchen Rossi is an American television personality, content creator, and entrepreneur recognized for her role on The Real Housewives of Orange County. She appeared as part of the main cast from seasons 4 to 8. She now returns as a “friend” in The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19, which premiered on July 10, 2025. Rossi posts fashion and beauty products on her IG account.
Gretchen Rossi Height
Rossi stands at a rough height of 5 feet and 5 inches.
Gretchen Rossi Age
Rossi is 46 years old. She was born on October 30, 1978, in Michigan, U.S.A. Rossi annually celebrates her birthday on October 30th. On October 30, 2024, she posted herself on her IG and captioned “Another year around the Sun! ☀️ and I couldn’t feel more grateful 🙏🏻 (not to shabby for 47 either huh…”
Personal Life
Gretchen Rossi Family and Relatives
Rossi was born to Brenda and Scott Forward, a hugely successful designer and engineer. She has two siblings, Ethan and Nicole. Regardless, she keeps more information regarding her family and relatives away from the public eye. However, we will update this information once it’s available to the public.
Gretchen Rossi Spouse and Children(Relationships)
Rossi is currently engaged to Slade Smiley. She proposed to him in 2013 during RHOC Season 8 after dating for 4 years. On February 9, 2025, she posted herself on her Instagram account and captioned “Slade & I are Celebrating 16yrs together today! ❤️ So grateful every day to my Heavenly Father for…anniversary #16yrs (and they said it wouldn’t last) 🤪” The pair has a daughter named Skylar Gray, who was born after 4 years of IVF treatment through a C-section. Skylar was born on July 10, 2019, and is 6 years old.
Slade was born on October 29, 1973, and is 51 years old. He had two kids, Gavin Smiley and Grayson Arroyo-Smiley, from his previous relationships. Grayson passed away in February 2023 at the age of 22 after fighting a rare brain cancer he was diagnosed with at the age of 6.
Slade Smiley Career
Since 2000, Slade has worked as the president of Grayson Entertainment, where he supervises all divisions, including project development, marketing, PR, sales, production, and integrations. He sits on the board of Master Video Systems in Dallas, Texas. He previously worked on the advisory board of Halo Privacy Company and Status Jet LLC.
Slade has a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from California State University, Long Beach. From 1988 to 1990, he studied at the Sports Medicine Residency Program at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. During this time, he professionally competed as a cyclist, racing for teams like Lowenbrau and Team Iron Horse USA. Also, he lived and trained at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
In 2005, Slade and his then-fiancée, Jo De La Rosa, joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County. His relationship with La Rosa was featured on the show. After they broke off their engagement, they remained friends with a spin-off series called Date My Ex. In 2009, he returned to The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 5 as Rossi’s the love interest.
Before Relationship with Slade Smiley;
Before Slade, Rossi was engaged to Jeff Beitzel, who was 24 years her senior. He passed away from leukemia on September 13, 2008, at the age of 54. Beitzel had kids named Jennifer, Jill, Elizabeth, and Jake before he died. At the time of his death, he worked as the Chief Operating Officer of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Inc. of Irvine, California.
On September 14, 2014, Rossi posted a photo of them on her Instagram account, writing a tribute to him, which read “Today is never an easy day for me because it is the day my sweet Jeff passed…He was such a loving good man who taught me so much about life, and…” She was previously married to Christopher Rossi from January 2004 to July 2007.
Before dating Beitzel, Rossi was married to Chris Rossi. They got married in January 2004 and divorced in July 2007.
Gretchen Rossi Education
Rossi received her high school diploma before enrolling at Baylor University in Texas. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree after completing her undergraduate studies.
Professional Life
Gretchen Rossi Net Worth
Rossi has garnered a net worth ranging from $1 million to $6 million during her successful career as a television personality, content creator, and entrepreneur. She reportedly earned $300,000 per season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Gretchen Rossi Career
Rossi owns a Cosmetics line called Gretchen Christine, which has grown to have fans and customers in more than 144 countries. She developed a passion for colors, textures, and designs when she was a child due to her father, who is a successful designer and engineer.
Following her graduation from college, Rossi went into the Real Estate and Interior Design industry, earning recognition from Coldwell Banker International as the top 7% of the world for sales volume and interior design installations.
In 2009, Rossi pursued her dreams, transitioning into fashion, accessories, and interior design. In this capacity, she launched her first handbag designs, The Gretchen Christine Collection, during New York Fashion Week in 2009, where she closely worked with David Manning and his Style360 Company.
After launching Gretchen Christine Cosmetics in 2010, she debuted Gretchen Christine Swimwear in retail in 2011. After an exclusive deal with Swim Spot retail stores, her swimwear sold out around the country in less than 7 days.
How Much Did Gretchen Rossi Inherit From Jeff Beitzel?
According to yahoo.com, Rossi inherited $2.5 million from the late Jeff.
Gretchen Rossi The Real Housewives of Orange County
Rossi is recognized for her role on The Real Housewives of Orange County. She appeared as part of the main cast from seasons 4 to 8. She now returns as a “friend” in The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19, which premiered on July 10, 2025.
Rossi’s relationship with Jeff Beitzel was highlighted during her initial run on the show. At the time, her storyline focused on their relationship, his illness, and eventual passing. After his demise, her relationship with Slade and her on-and-off friendship and infamous feud with fellow cast member Tamra Judge was covered. She proposed to Slade on the show, leaving after Season 8.
After a 12-year hiatus, Rossi returns to the group through new friends Jennifer and Katie. However, she finds herself stuck dealing with the same old matters with Tamra. Tensions escalate when an unexpected revelation from an unlikely source spark a chain of events that permanently change the group’s dynamics. Rossi stars opposite
- Shannon Storms Beador
- Heather Dubrow
- Tamra Judge
- Gina Kirschenheiter
- Jennifer Pedranti
- Emily Simpson
- Katie Ginella
Gretchen Rossi Social Media
Rossi has active social media platforms, i.e., Facebook, X(formerly Twitter), and Instagram. She has a following of over 850K on Facebook, a following of over 1M on Instagram, and a following of over 550K on X.
