Jill Zarin Mourns the Loss of Her Mother Gloria Kamen at 91: "My Best Friend, My Mentor"

Jill Zarin is grieving the loss of her mother, Gloria Kamen, who passed away at the age of 91. The former Real Housewives of New York City star took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, calling Gloria“my best friend, my mentor, and the most important person in my life.”For fans of the early RHONY seasons, Gloria was a familiar and beloved face, often stealing scenes with her quick wit and warm personality. Jill even went as far as to call her mom“the real OG housewife.”

Gloria appeared on the show during seasons 1 through 4, and she and Jill co-wrote the book Secrets of a Jewish Mother back in 2010. The book was all about the wisdom Gloria passed down to her daughters, and it was clear she had plenty of it. Jill wrote that her mom was“everyone’s therapist”and described her as consistent, smart, and funny“even when she didn’t know she was being funny.”Gloria leaves behind her husband Sol, two daughters, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

The outpouring of support has been immediate, with fellow Housewives alum Bethenny Frankel and other Bravo personalities sharing their condolences. It’s a reminder that grief is universal, whether you’re a reality TV star or not. Losing a mother is a pain that doesn’t discriminate by age or fame. How do you honor the memory of the women who shaped you? We’d love to hear your story.