Barbara Kavovit Explained
Barbara Kavovit, colloquially known as Barbara K,[2] is an American author, businesswoman, former political candidate, and reality television personality who appeared on The Real Housewives of New York City. She is the author of two nonfiction books, followed by the fictional semi-autobiographical Heels of Steel. She announced her candidacy for the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary in January 2021, eventually dropping out in June that same year.
Early life and education
Kavovit was raised by her history teacher mother and her father, mechanical engineer Joseph Kavovit (d. 2013), in The Bronx, New York, United States. She has a sister named Caryn Kavovit.[3] She attended State University of New York at Oswego, where she majored in economics and finance and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in 1987.[4] [5]
Career
Books
Kavovit is the author of three books, including the nonfiction books Room For Improvement[6] (2005) and Invest in Your Nest[7] (2006), and the fiction novel Heels of Steel (2019).[8] The synopsis for Heels of Steel reads: The release party for Heels of Steel was held at the PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown in June 2019. Hasty Book List reviewed the book and wrote, "Who run the world? Girls! I love me a great story with a strong female lead who is shattering glass ceilings and proving themselves in "a man's world" while remaining true to who they are. I also really freaking love this book cover. PLUS, this book is semi-autobiographical."[9] Writing for the Toronto Star, Sue Carter wrote, "The rags-to-riches Heels of Steel scores all the beach-read checkboxes: sex, fashion, deceit, Hamptons parties, nasty rich villains and a tough-spirited heroine."[10] Writing for Swaay, Iman Oubou wrote the novel "addresses sexism in the construction industry."[11] Sarah Slusher from Really Into This stated, "Do I want to read a debut novel by the newest member of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York? You bet your ass I do!"[12]
Construction work
Kavovit is the CEO of Evergreen Construction, a business she founded in 2015.[13] In 2020, the company was contracted to re-do Harvey Weinstein's former New York City offices, which got attention because Evergreen Construction is female led.[14] [15] For that project, she used female tradespeople and a female project manager, which she included as part of her pitch to get the project.[16] She uses construction tools from the line DIYVA, a tools and kits line marketed to women that she created.[17]
Television
Kavovit appeared on the reality television show The Real Housewives of New York City as a guest on seasons 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, then as a friend of Luann de Lesseps for season 11; de Lesseps claimed "Barbara was one of the few people who was there for her during her road to sobriety."[18] The two initially met on a playground.[19] Shannon Raphael of Distractify wrote Kavovit was "Luann's support system".[20] The two subsequently had a falling out and Kavovit did not return in season 12.[21] Screen Rant writer Sabrina Constabile wrote Kavovit "did not mesh well with many of her cast members" while on the show.[22]
After not coming back for RHONY season 12, Kavovit tweeted a "teaser" in November 2019 that she was pitching her own show when she replied to a fan, "No love- fingers crossed pitching my own show – stay tuned!"[23]
Politics
In January 2021, Kavovit announced via Instagram she was running to become the next New York City mayor with Bill DeBlasio's term ending in the 2021 New York City mayoral election. Kavovit stated, "I may not be a politician, but I'm a Bronx-born New Yorker who isn't fearful of the hard work and tough decisions that lay ahead."[24] Her campaign slogan was "It will take a builder to rebuild New York City and I'm the woman to do it."[25] She stated she had been considering the run for more than a year.
The Brooklyn Reader reported "Kavovit said now was not the time to defund the police. Restoring trust and confidence in the NYPD would be one of her priorities as mayor. She said she wanted to see more community policing and less law enforcement involvement in cases dealing with mental illness and homelessness."[26] Kavovit has proposed turning Rikers Island, the city's main jail complex, into a "colony for the city's homeless."[27] Curbed writer Caroline Spivak criticized the proposal, stating it "sounds uncomfortably like an internment camp" and is "a profoundly bad idea."
In March 2021, Kavovit joined Decision NYC with Ben Max to discuss her candidacy and goals.[28] By March 17, Kavovit had raised $15,320, which City & State New York characterized as "anemic" compared to Eric Adams' $7.6 million and Scott Stringer's $6.85 million.[29] Reality television personalities Carla Facciolo (Mob Wives) and Margaret Josephs (The Real Housewives of New Jersey) both supported the campaign.
In early June 2021, Kavovit announced she was dropping out of the race.[30] She went on to endorse Kathryn Garcia.[31] Garcia went on to lose by 0.8 percentage points to Eric Adams for the Democratic primary.[32]
Personal life
Kavovit lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She was previously married to a man who also worked as a contractor.[33] She has a son.[34]
Finances
In 2006, Kavovit and her father took out a loan for $2.6 million to purchase a $7 million mansion in Wainscott.[35] Kavovit filed for personal bankruptcy in 2015. As of August 2020 she was in settlement discussions with Deutsche Bank.
Notes and References
- News: Roberto . Melissa . Former 'Housewives' star Barbara Kavovit wants to run for NYC mayor in 2021: 'They need a woman in office!' . April 28, 2021 . Fox News . September 26, 2020 . April 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428175521/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/rhony-barbara-kavovit-mayor-new-york-city . live .
- News: Zaragoza . Alex . New York Is A 'Mess' This Former Reality Star Is Ready to Clean Up . March 31, 2021 . Vice . February 19, 2021 . February 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210219210702/https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx8anz/why-is-barbara-kavovitof-the-real-housewives-of-new-york-running-for-mayor . live .
- Book: Kavovit . Barbara . Heels of Steel: a novel about the queen of New York construction . Jun 25, 2019 . MIRA . 9781488035074 . August 9, 2021.
- News: Baird-Remba . Rebecca . The Race to Gracie Mansion: Interview with NYC Mayoral Candidate Barbara Kavovit . April 6, 2021 . Commercial Observer . April 6, 2021 . April 6, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210406171311/https://commercialobserver.com/2021/04/the-race-to-gracie-mansion-interview-with-nyc-mayoral-candidate-barbara-kavovit/ . live .
- News: Oswego Alumni Magazine . August 9, 2021 . Fall 2019 . November 19, 2019 . 48.
- Book: Kavovit . Barbara . Room for Improvement: Change Your Home! Enhance Your Life! With Tools, Tips, and Inspiration from Barbara K! . May 2005 . Rodale Books . 978-1594861338.
- Book: Kavovit . Barbara . Invest in Your Nest: Add Style, Comfort, and Value to Your Home . June 2006 . Rodale Books.
- News: Vanamee . Norman . A Real Housewife Is Hardly the Most Interesting Outsider to Run for Mayor of New York City . February 11, 2021 . Town and Country . February 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205043547/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/g35338005/nyc-mayor-candidates-history-rhony/ . live .
- News: Hasty . Ashley . Book Feature - Heels of Steel by Barbara Kavovit . February 11, 2021 . Hasty Book List . March 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210331182612/https://www.hastybooklist.com/home/heels-of-steel . live .
- News: Carter . Sue . Real Housewives of New York star Barbara Kavovit jumps from constructing in the real world to constructing a fictional one . February 11, 2021 . Toronto Star . June 26, 2019 . June 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190627133318/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/06/26/real-housewives-of-new-york-star-barbara-kavovit-jumps-from-constructing-in-the-real-world-to-constructing-a-fictional-one.html . live .
- News: Oubou . Iman . #Excerpt: RHONY's Barbara Kavovit Addresses Sexism in the Construction Industry in New Novel . February 11, 2021 . Swaay . July 23, 2019 . November 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128051453/https://swaay.com/barbara-kavovit-new-book . live .
- News: Slusher . Sarah . Heels of Steel by Barbara Kavovit . February 11, 2021 . Really Into This . June 25, 2019 . November 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126152457/https://reallyintothis.com/heels-of-steel-by-barbara-kavovit/ . live .
- News: Cline . Amanda . 5 Things to know about RHONY newcomer Barbara Kavovit's new book, Heels of Steel . March 31, 2021 . Fansided . March 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210331182625/https://champagneandshade.com/2019/05/07/rhony-barbara-kavovit/ . live .
- News: Joey . Nolfi . Real Housewives star Barbara Kavovit demolishing Harvey Weinstein's NYC office . February 11, 2021 . Entertainment Weekly . March 10, 2020 . June 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615124800/https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-barbara-kavovit-harvey-weinstein-office/ . live .
- News: Sophie . Vershbow . A Woman-Led Construction Firm Is Taking a Sledgehammer to the Weinstein Company's Former HQ . March 31, 2021 . Vogue . November 27, 2020 . February 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204063617/https://www.vogue.com/article/weinstein-company-office-redesign . live .
- News: Hinchliffe . Emma . 'I've had a lot of Harveys in my life': Meet the female construction company owner who demolished the Weinstein Company's old office . March 31, 2021 . Fortune . December 9, 2020 . February 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210218012557/https://fortune.com/2020/12/09/meet-the-woman-demolished-harvey-weinsteins-office/ . live .
- News: Foussains . Chloe . Barbara Kavovit Is the Newest RHONY Cast Member. Here's What You Should Know About Her. . February 11, 2021 . Town and Country . March 6, 2019 . February 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204053557/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a26723494/who-is-barbara-kavovit-rhony-season-11/ . live .
- News: Constabile . Sabrina . RHONY: Barbara Kavovit Is Running For NYC Mayor . March 31, 2021 . Screen Rant . January 28, 2021 . February 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210205095858/https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-new-york-barbara-kavovit-nyc-mayor/ . live .
- News: Cacich . Allison . Barbara Kavovit Is Serving Up Serious "Boss Lady" Vibes on 'RHONY' . April 6, 2021 . Distractify . August 20, 2020 . January 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210122124615/https://www.distractify.com/p/barbara-kavovit-real-housewives-nyc-husband . live .
- News: Raphael . Shannon . Barbara Kavovit Will Not Be Bringing Her Self Tanner to Season 12 of 'RHONY' . February 11, 2021 . Distractify . August 20, 2020 . November 30, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201130114813/https://www.distractify.com/p/what-happened-to-barbara-from-rhony . live .
- News: Hitt . Caitlyn . Real Housewives of New York City's Barbara Kavovit Is Running for Mayor of New York City: 'It Will Take a Builder' . March 31, 2021 . US Weekly . January 27, 2021 . January 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127175141/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/rhonys-barbara-kavovit-enters-nyc-mayoral-race/ . live .
- News: Constabile . Sabrina . RHONY: Why Ex-Star Barbara Kavovit Thinks Dorinda's Alleged Firing Is 'Karma' . April 6, 2021 . Screen Rant . September 24, 2020 . October 5, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201005200745/https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-new-york-barbara-kavovit-dorinda-medley/ . live .
- News: Ragusa . Gina . 'RHONY': Barbara Kavovit Teases About New Show . April 6, 2021 . Cheat Sheet . November 18, 2019 . November 24, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124073712/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/rhony-barbara-kavovit-teases-about-new-show.html/ . live .
- News: Neumann . Sean . RHONY Alum and Construction CEO Barbara Kavovit Says She's Running for N.Y.C. Mayor . February 11, 2021 . People . January 27, 2021 . February 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210204041209/https://people.com/politics/rhony-alum-barbara-kavovit-announces-bid-for-new-york-city-mayor-im-the-woman-to-do-it/ . live .
- News: Milman . Oliver . 'They aren't used to losing': wealthy New York enclave battles over offshore windfarm . March 31, 2021 . The Guardian . March 17, 2021 . March 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210330114156/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/17/wainscott-new-york-hamptons-offshore-windfarm . live .
- News: Roberts . Nigel . Candidates in 'Wide-Open' Mayoral Race Share Solutions to COVID-Exacerbated Issues . April 6, 2021 . The Brooklyn Reader . March 26, 2021 . March 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210327001801/https://www.bkreader.com/2021/03/26/candidates-in-wide-open-mayoral-race-share-solutions-to-covid-exacerbated-issues/ . live .
- News: Spivak . Caroline . Barbara Kavovit's Plan for Rikers Sounds Uncomfortably Like an Internment Camp . April 28, 2021 . Curbed . April 8, 2021 . April 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428175114/https://www.curbed.com/2021/04/barbara-kavovit-rikers-island-homeless-internment-camp.html . live .
- News: Decision NYC: Barbara Kavovit Discusses Her Run for Mayor . April 6, 2021 . March 28, 2021 . Gotham Gazette . March 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210329015234/https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/10317-decision-nyc-barbara-kavovit-runs-mayor-nyc-2021 . live .
- News: Coltin . Jeff . 10 things to know about the latest NYC campaign finance filing . April 6, 2021 . City & State New York . March 17, 2021 . March 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210319142917/https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/campaign-confidential/10-things-know-about-latest-nyc-campaign-finance-filing.html . live .
- News: Polus . Sarah . Former 'Real Housewives' star exits New York mayoral race . August 9, 2021 . The Hill . June 3, 2021 . June 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210605180804/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/556775-former-real-housewives-star-exits-new-york-city-mayoral-race . live .
- News: Yomary . Tatayana . Former 'RHONY' Star Barbara Kavovit Has Dropped out of the NYC Mayoral Race . August 9, 2021 . Distractify . June 4, 2021 . March 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302054123/https://www.distractify.com/p/barbara-kavovit-rhony-running-for-mayor . live .
- News: Kaufman . Anna . Max . Ben . How Kathryn Garcia Defied the Odds But Came Up Just Short . August 9, 2021 . Gotham Gazette . July 22, 2021 . August 9, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210809154415/https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/10661-kathryn-garcia-defied-odds-just-short-democratic-primary-nyc-mayor . live .
- News: Denninger . Lindsay . This Is One Way That Barbara Fits Right In With Her 'RHONY' Co-Stars . 31 March 2021 . Bustle . May 15, 2019 . 31 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210331182614/https://www.bustle.com/p/is-barbara-kavovit-married-the-real-housewives-of-new-york-star-is-dedicated-to-her-business-17863891 . live .
- News: Weaver . Caity . Why Barbara Kavovit, Entrepreneur and Occasional 'Housewives' Friend, Is Running for Mayor . February 11, 2021 . New York Times . January 29, 2021 . February 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210021907/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/style/barbara-kavovit-mayor-new-york.html . live .
- News: Naumann . Ryan . 'RHONY' Star Barbara Kavovit Suffers Setback in Battle to Save Mansion From Foreclosure . April 6, 2021 . Yahoo . July 26, 2019 . April 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428173946/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/rhony-star-barbara-kavovit-suffers-180306988.html . live .