Roxanne 
In an era still shadowed by the infamous college admissions scandal, public figures are often scrutinized when their children are accepted into elite universities. For Heather Dubrow, that scrutiny came in the form of online speculation after her daughter Katarina announced she would be attending Yale. Now, the Real Housewives of Orange County star is directly addressing the rumors — and she isn’t holding back.
At the 32nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala on May 16, Dubrow was candid in her response to claims that she and her husband, renowned plastic surgeon Terry Dubrow, made a substantial donation to secure their daughter’s Ivy League spot. “Oh God, listen — that ship sailed a long time ago,” she told Us Weekly. “Even if I wanted to pay, that’s not a thing.”
The speculation stems from a question posed to Heather on Instagram last month, where a user bluntly asked, “How big was the donation?” Her reply was simple and unequivocal: “0$.”
Heather Dubrow went on to share insight into her parenting philosophy and how it shaped her children’s approach to education. “I’ll tell you a quick story,” she said. “When the twins got into kindergarten, that process of private school kindergarten was so ridiculous to me and upsetting and it gave me so much anxiety [that I said], ‘I’m never doing this again.’ So I told all the kids when they got to high school, ‘If you want choices, study, and here’s your guidance counselor and do your best. I’ll be your cheerleader, but I’m not fighting with you. This is your life. It’s up to you.’ And that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
In April, Dubrow proudly shared the news of 18-year-old Katarina’s acceptance to Yale with a heartfelt Instagram post: “CONGRATULATIONS KATARINA!!!! We are so proud of you and excited to watch you SHINE in college !!!! WE LOVE YOU !!!!! ???????? @yale_2029 @yale #bedparty.” The post featured the family gathered around their daughter, with celebratory touches like a “Class of 2029” cake marking the milestone.
Reflecting on the broader context — particularly the 2019 Operation Varsity Blues scandal that revealed a sweeping bribery scheme among wealthy parents — Heather was clear about her stance. “I am happy to say I had nothing to do with it,” she said. “Kat did this all on her own, as did my other kids. You want your kids to be where they belong, not at the place they don’t belong, because they’re not going to be successful.”
With her statement, Heather Dubrow not only defended her daughter’s achievements but also underscored a refreshing message about merit, independence, and the importance of finding the right fit over prestige.
1 comment
Anyone who believes her, raise your hand!