Get to Know Karen Huger's Husband, RHOP's Raymond A. Huger
Our favorite Grand Dame's Grand Sir: here's what to know about Raymond A. Huger.
When Karen Huger joined The Real Housewives of Potomac in Season 1, she brought her beloved husband with her. You might know him as the Black Bill Gates, Mr. Grand Dame, or the husband to the tourism ambassador of Surry County, but really... who is Raymond A Huger?
"He does it well for 75," said Karen in an exclusive April 2022 interview with Bravo Insider. "I hope he doesn't mind me telling the world."
"I'm like, 'I want to do it like Ray when I get to that point.' I want to be that sharp mentally, physically, and spiritually," she added. "He's just together. He is my idol. Oh, I'm like, 'Go ahead, rock star.'"
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the famous Raymond, aka Ray.
Who is Ray Huger?
Ray has made a name for himself over the years as a businessman and venture capitalist.
Ray received his Bachelors Degree from Baruch College and MBA from Fordham. Later, he also received an honorary doctorate from the University of the District of Columbia "for his outstanding accomplishments as an information technology innovator and for his successful entrepreneurial and business skills."
Ray Huger's Career as a Consultant
Ray is the president and CEO of Paradigm Solutions International, a software management and consulting company that he founded in the early ’90s. According to his LinkedIn, the company helps commercial companies and government organizations "prevent, prepare for, successfully manage, and fully recover from a variety of weather-related and man-made business disruptions."
Prior to founding PSI, Ray was an executive at IBM for 25 years. Karen has previously spoken out about her self-made man, noting that she didn't marry a millionaire — she "built" herself one.
"You have to build a millionaire, help him become a millionaire, help yourself become a millionaire. I think if you go out there with the agenda of 'looking for a millionaire' you may not find him, but you may find the qualities and the necessary tools in place. You just have to nudge him along in the right direction," the grand dame of RHOP told BravoTV.com in January 2016.
Ray Huger's Tax Issues
During Season 3 of RHOP, news that Ray owed money in back-due federal taxes overwhelmed plenty of cherry-blossom laden conversations.
Nevertheless, all turned out okay for the businessman.
"Bad things happen to great people. Ray's a phenomenal human being. I could say it scared me. We didn't know what we were gonna do, how we were gonna make it. I thought the world was coming to an end," Karen told The Daily Dish in April 2018. "But he assured me that everything was going to be OK, as long as I stayed in my lane. And that's what he meant, too. Let him handle it. It's his business."
How did Ray and Karen Meet?
Prior to her relationship with Ray, Karen was married to someone else. She divorced her first husband about two years before meeting Ray at a Black Caucus event.
"We were at a formal event, and he asked me to dance. And he took me in his arms, and I swear to God, he was making this noise in my ear, but when he took me in his arms I knew," Karen told The Daily Dish in 2016. "The way he held me, I knew that was gonna be my husband. I didn't even see Raymond physically. I just felt him spiritually."
Ray and Karen's Marriage
Ray and Karen wed in 1996. But in Season 6 of RHOP, fans watched the couple walk down the aisle (again) for a vow renewal in honor of their 25th anniversary.
Karen reflected on her post vow-renewal relationship in the above April 2022 interview.
"We're on a different level now. We are at a totally different level after the vow renewal. People were asking me, 'Oh, Karen, are you worried about the curse of vow renewal?' Oh my god! They didn't tell [me] — I mean, what if it works out and you make it through the curse?" she shared. "And we made it through the curse. We're still married. Our life, Lord Jesus, when does it stop? That's what I'm wondering. And it's funny. And it keeps us so closely bound to one another. He is my best friend. He's my rock. And he is my inspiration too."
Ray and Karen Huger's Family
Ray and Karen have two children: son Brandon and daughter Rayvin. As the pair have weathered marital issues over the years, their kids have always been supportive. Karen explained the Huger children's reaction to their parents' marital strife in an August 2022 episode of the Daily Dish podcast.
“They were so cool with us, and they said, ‘Look, you guys have been great parents, but what we don’t want is you to stay together because of us. They were like, rooting for us, but they were like, ‘Look! I want you to be happy!’ That’s when you raise your children right. And they love you and respect you enough to say, ‘Look, don’t do it for me. Do it for you all. You guys deserve the best,'” Karen shared. “I’m so lucky to have them as kids. They are so freaking cool.”
These days, things are looking good in Huger land. In September 2022, Rayvin modeled for Kim Kardashian's shapewear line Skims. In December, Brandon celebrated his 35th birthday.
Even more recently, Karen shared a sweet Instagram shot of her and her husband in honor of Father's Day.
"Happy Fathers Day Baby! Thank you for always being a shining example to our children. You are loved and appreciated this and everyday. I’m so proud to be your wife and mother of your children," she wrote.
