The Real Housewives of New York City: Countess Luann de Lesseps Splits From Count with Jill & Bethenny

Last week The Real Housewives of New York City's pompous Countess, Luann, took extreme umbrage at Ramona when Ramona made a remark about the Countess being married to a much older man. Luann was quite upset at this, insisting the Old Count was not an Old Man.

And now, apparently, the Count has split from Luann, via an email, telling the Native American, former model, Countess by marriage, that he'd moved on to an Ethiopian woman in Geneva.

A close friend told Page Six of the New York Post that, "Luann was blindsided. She was devastated, they have basically lived apart for many years, he lives in Europe and comes and goes as he pleases, but she never thought this would happen. It has been very rough for her and the children [Victoria and Noel], but she's taking the high road and will remain friends with him. She has no intention of making it bitter or becoming angry. She's just trying to come to terms with the separation and impending divorce. She feels this is the ultimate test for her to handle this with dignity and grace."

In April, Luann is coming out with a book, "Class with the Countess." Luann has told friends that no matter what she will always be the countess.

I beg to differ. Sounds, to me, like she's been de-throned.

A spokesman for Countess Luann said, "It is obviously a very difficult time for the Countess and Count, but they plan to remain friends and their primary focus will be to do what is best for their two children."

Meanwhile, Bethenny and Jill have been on a lot of TV interview talk show venues, including a very funny one with Chelsea on E!. In that interview Chelsea asks something like, "What's up with that pasty ugly couple?" referring to Simon & Alex, now commonly referred to as Silex. What follows that question is some pretty funny stuff. This Chelsea interview has not been YouTubed yet, but you can watch it by going here.

Bethenny and Jill are interviewed on another show that did get YouTubed, that being TV Guide Broadband. They are not quite as brutal about Silex on this one. And the new girl, Kelly, is talked about.

Kelly is beginning to rival Silex as the most reviled of the people on The Real Housewives of New York City. I'd have to say Kelly is worse. There is very little amusement factor with Kelly, while I think Silex know they are being over the top ridiculous and are milking it. Somewhat. There are moments when it is obvious that Silex are being clueless about their cluelessness, though.

But, with Kelly, I don't think she has the slightest clue how stupid and obnoxious she comes across. Well, she likely does now, unless that stupidity problem is worse than I thought, because, by now, she has watched herself on the show and maybe she has been appalled and embarrassed. Maybe.

Below is the TV Guide YouTube video with Bethenny and Jill......