Sutton Stracke is opening up about a major decision in her son Philip’s life.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star recently appeared on Radio Andy, where she shared an update on her 22-year-old son, Philip, who recently graduated from The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina.
According to Sutton, Philip has big plans after graduation — and they are not what many fans may have expected.
Sutton revealed that her eldest son intends to enter seminary school and eventually join the priesthood.
The RHOBH star, who is also mom to daughter Porter, 24, and son James, 19, said she became emotional when Philip told her about his decision.
Sutton said she “cried” when he shared the news, explaining that she understood how meaningful and life-changing the choice was.
“It was such a big decision,” Sutton said. “You’re in seminary school for six years, and then you become a deacon of the church, and then you join the priesthood.”
While the decision is a serious one, Sutton said Philip seems to have a healthy and grounded perspective about the process.
“He’s like, ‘If it doesn’t work out, I can leave,’ which I thought was a good positive outlook on it because you learn a lot in seminary,” Sutton shared.
Sutton shares her three children with ex-husband Christian. The former couple married in 2000 before splitting 16 years later.
Sutton’s Catholic faith and family life have also been part of her RHOBH storyline. During the Season 15 premiere, Sutton revealed that Christian had asked to have their marriage annulled within the Catholic Church, despite the two already being divorced for 10 years.
Philip’s decision to pursue the priesthood adds another personal layer to Sutton’s family story, especially as she continues to navigate her own relationship with faith, divorce and motherhood.
Before Philip began college, Sutton previously opened up about his career ambitions during a 2022 episode of RHOBH. At the time, she shared that Philip had told her he wanted to join the Army because he felt he had grown up “too comfortable.”
Sutton recalled, “You know, he lives a nice life.”
She said her response was to give him a taste of discomfort and responsibility.
“I said, ‘Oh, well, I’ll make you uncomfortable then.’ I sent him to Georgia when it was gonna be 105 degrees with 100 percent humidity. I made him get a job. He had to be there at 5:30 in the morning to deliver vending machine Cokes and stuff,” Sutton shared.
The experience apparently shifted Philip’s perspective.
She continued, “A month later, when I picked him up, he wanted to go to college.”
Now, years later, Philip has graduated from The Citadel and is preparing for a very different kind of path — one rooted in faith, discipline and service.