Raquel Leviss Opens Up About Her Adoption Story: "I Love My Family So Much"

In the October 19 episode of Vanderpump Rules, fans got to meet Raquel Leviss' sister, Kate, and brother-in-law, Greg. It was then that Raquel opened up about her family like never before to viewers.

"Kate and I weren't always close. You know, we didn't have a lot in common. I was adopted at birth. My biological mom, Susan, gave birth to Kate before me. And then Susan accidentally got pregnant again right around the time my aunt, Laura, was trying to conceive. Susan was generous enough to offer to have me for my aunt," Raquel explained in an interview during the episode. "But Kate has kind of stepped into my life a little bit more. She wants to be that big sister role to me."

Raquel later took to Instagram to introduce us to even more members of her family in an appreciation post on October 22. "This is my Grandma Buttons. She created my mom Laura and my biological mom Susan. I shared a little bit about my in family adoption on this week’s episode," Raquel captioned the collection of photos from her engagement party in July. "My mom Laura (pictured in slide 2) couldn’t conceive so when her younger sister Susan had an unplanned pregnancy with me, she offered to have me for my mom! Susan had my biological half sister Kate (pictured slide 3) and my half brother David about a decade before she was pregnant with me and since she was done having kids, my parents adopted me at birth!!"

Raquel ended her touching post by giving a special shout-out to her mom and dad (and one more time to Grandma Buttons, because, we mean, how could you not?). "I thank my lucky stars I was raised by such loving parents. I know I have the best dad ever (pictured in slide 5) and my mom has been such a momma bear to me my whole life. When I was a teenager, my mom encouraged me to pursue modeling and to step out of my comfort zone through pageants," Raquel wrote. "I love my family so much, especially Buttons who we all just adore."

The SURver received an outpouring of support for her Instagram post, including from fiancé James Kennedy, who wrote, "Grandma Buttons [red heart emoji]," and Charli Burnett, who gushed, "So beautiful," along with three heart eye emojis.

During her appearance with James on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last week, Raquel shared an update on her relationship with her sister, who had some advice for the couple on Vanderpump Rules. "She's good. It's a sisterly love, you know," Raquel said. "She just wants the best for me, and she wants to know that James is treating me right."

James said that he "100 percent" agreed with Raquel about Kate. "And honestly, every single time I've seen Kate, she's always opened up with open arms, and, like, nothing but show me love," he said on WWHL. "And when stuff gets real, she speaks her mind and lets me know. And I respect her so much for that. She's a great older sister."

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