Who Is Ashley Darby's Husband Michael Darby?
The much-talked-about #RHOP spouse is kind of a big deal.
Ashley Darby's husband Michael Darby caused almost as much of a stir as the 'Wives this season of The Real Housewives of Potomac. Whenever the ladies get together, it seems like Michael does something outrageous, such as pulling down his pants to take a dip in the water during an elegant yacht party, crashing the girls trip to Bethany Beach, or causing a commotion on the dance floor at Charrisse Jackson Jordan's 50th birthday party.
"Michael is a very strong personality, period, so I knew that there would be some issues," Ashley previously told The Daily Dish about the negative reception her husband seems to be getting among her fellow 'Wives this season. "He's very outgoing, fun, and some of the women are a little more conservative, we'll put it nicely. That's a recipe for disaster, if you ask me."
But now approaching their second year of marriage, Ashley and Michael are clearly a recipe for success. So why is Michael such a great guy? That'll be easy to see once you read a little bit more about the RHOP spouse, below.
1. He's from Australia
If you've seen — or rather, heard — Michael on RHOP, you can probably tell that he's originally from Down Under. Michael is a native of Melbourne, Australia. He earned his degree in Construction Engineering and Business Development from the University of Melbourne before beginning his career as a general contractor, according to his bio on his company's, Monumental Realty, website. He arrived stateside in the 1980s, according to a Washington Post Magazine interview with him and Ashley published in February, and he's made it his home ever since.
2. He Was Married Once Before
Before Michael married Ashley in 2014, he had come out of a 20-year relationship with his first wife, who he divorced in 2010. Michael told The Washington Post Magazine in February that he and his wife had grown apart, but he also wanted to explore outside of his comfort zone.
3. He and Ashley Met at Work
Like many couples, Ashley and Michael met at a bar — they just both happened to be working there at the time. In college, Ashley worked as a bartender at D.C.'s L2 Lounge, which is co-owned by Michael, according The Washington Post Magazine. Ashley spotted Michael on the security monitor, and they began dating shortly thereafter.
4. He's a Family Man
Michael has two children from his first marriage, a 24-year-old and a 21-year-old. He also told The Washington Post Magazine that he has agreed to "at least two" children with Ashley, and we all know she's excited to eventually make some babies with her hubby.
5. He Showers Ashley with Lavish Gifts
When it comes to treating his wife, Michael doesn't hold back. He surprised Ashley with a trip to New York and proposed to her on a helicopter ride over the Hudson in 2012. We also saw him give her a brand-new Porsche for her birthday on RHOP this season. How is he going to surprise her next?
6. He's a Real Estate Giant
Opening up the Australian restaurant Oz with Ashley isn't Michael's first foray into business. He is also the principal and co-founder of Monument Realty, a top real estate firm in the Washington, D.C. area. He got his start in the nation's capital working for well-known real estate magnate Oliver Carr, according to The Washington Post Magazine. One of Michael's claims to fame as a developer is overseeing the restoration of the Willard Hotel. Though he hit some hard times when the economy collapsed in 2008, Michael has worked his way back up to the top. The Washington Post Magazine reports that he has even become one of the largest real estate owners in Somalia after building a 44-acre compound near the airport in Mogadishu.
7. He's an Adrenaline Junkie
Michael knows how to work hard and play hard. He's an avid skier, cyclist, and kite surfer, according to his company bio. He has also brought Ashley along for the ride, going on excursions like riding buggies in the forest, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and mountain biking in the deserts of Nevada. Clearly, there's never a dull moment with this couple.
8. He Gives Back
This househusband has a pretty amazing life, and he's helping others live one as well. Michael has been active with the annual JDRF Real Estate Games event, which helps those affected with type 1 diabetes. He also started the JDRF annual cycling competition, according to his Monument Realty bio. Michael and Ashley even make a date out of philanthropy, as the above photo of the couple at the Scope It Out 5K run/walk for colon cancer awareness shows.
See more pics of Ashley and Michael through the years, as well as the other RHOP ladies, below.
