Caroline Manzo may no longer be on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, but she is still churning out the drama in her off-screen life. Viewers were introduced to Caroline for the first time when she joined the Bravo series for season 1. She was a part of the original cast, alongside her sister Dina Manzo, Teresa Giudice, Danielle Staub, and Jacqueline Laurita. On the show, Caroline was known for always standing by her family, no matter what.
As the show progressed, Caroline, who would return as a full-time housewife, became one of the most beloved cast members, since she brought the cameras into her family life. In fact, it felt as though Caroline's family was a part of the cast. Old school The Real Housewives of New Jersey was known for including the families in most of the scenes, and even on cast trips. Viewers became attached to Caroline's family and were disappointed to see Caroline and her family go when she exited the series after season 5.
So, what has Caroline been up to since she left RHONJ in 2014? Well, the 60-year-old and her family went on to have a spin-off series on Bravo called Manzo'd With Children. The reality series ran from 2014 to 2017 and focused on Caroline's family. The show was centered on Caroline's family life rather than her social life with her RHONJ castmates. However, the show was canceled after three seasons. Even though Caroline, who spoke about her brother-in-law's arrest, and her family were no longer going to be on TV, they still had a lot going on. Her daughter Lauren, who married her long-time love Vito in 2015, gave birth to her first child in 2017. She and Vito welcomed their baby girl Marchesa Anna Scalia in February 2017, making Caroline a first-time grandmother. Caroline has also found a new way to bring in some money. Shortly after her reality TV stint ended, she started her own business, The Friendly Monkey Soap Company.
The business sells handmade soap products, bath bombs, and personal care items on Etsy (via The Friendly Monkey Soap Company on Facebook). In 2020, Caroline also appeared in a Super Bowl ad for Sabra hummus, along with her RHONJ enemy, Teresa. Other than starting her own lucrative business and appearing in a national commercial, Caroline has been in the tabloids, but not for a good reason. In 2017, alleged mobster John Perna assaulted Caroline's sister Dina and her new husband at the time, David Cantin, at their former New Jersey townhome.
According to an indictment, as per People, Dina's ex-husband Thomas Manzo was charged in 2020 with planning and assaulting David five years ago with the alleged mobster. Caroline, whose husband Albert is the brother of Thomas, Dina's ex, was "heartbroken" by the attack, adding that her "allegiance will lie with the truth." Dina spoke out against Caroline through her close friend, Luke McKibbon, who called out Caroline for always talking about Dina in public.
Since leaving The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Caroline has put more of a focus on her family, rather than her life on TV. Caroline has always put her family first, and now that her kids are getting older, she is looking forward to being a grandmother. While life with her immediate family is going great, her relationship with her sister Dina has only gotten worse as the years go by.