Veteran reality TV star and The Real Housewives of Dubai cast member Caroline Stanbury said her marriage to Cem Habib was a “success story,” even after their divorce. Cem and Caroline divorced after a 17-year marriage, and Caroline remarried to former Real Madrid soccer player Sergio Carrallo, who is 18 years her junior. Although her new marriage has drawn some criticism from former castmates as being fake, Caroline maintained that she is happier than ever and that life does not stop at divorce for women.
Originally from the UK, Caroline was previously featured on the reality show Ladies of London, where fans first followed her as a businessperson and were introduced to her relationship with her then-husband, Turkish financier Cem, as well as their three children Yasmine, Zac and Aaron. Upon the show’s cancelation and their move to Dubai, the pair subsequently divorced in 2019. Caroline had also made a substantial dent on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles prior to joining RHODubai. Needless to say, Caroline busied herself from one show to the next, becoming a luxury brand ambassador in the process, starting her podcast on being a divorcee and launching a shoe collection.
On Life After Bravo, Caroline talked about her podcast, Divorced Not Dead, and how she and Cem will always share a friendly bond because of their responsibilities to their three children. She stated that her life will not always be ups and will have some downs--and likewise for ex Cem. She spoke of the two always sharing their children and that their divorce was amicable. Caroline said the success story she shared with Cem was their children and advised women that there is no wrong way or right time to divorce, and it doesn't mean that life is over. “I believe life is chapters" instead of a "long novel," furthering her advice to take things step by step. She acknowledged that there will be days when Cem has it better and others when she may have it better. Caroline said they will always have a relationship and friendship because of their children.
Of her recent marriage to the much younger Sergio, Caroline faced initial disapproval from the sportsman’s family. Likewise, Caroline’s teen daughter Yasmine publicly declared Sergio a man-child and told her mother not to have any children with him. Caroline said previously that there was no way around separating her current love from her children once committed. She expressed a desire to be able to vacation together. Castmates Chanel Ayan and Lesa Milan Hall also joined in on the criticism. Among the other name-calling flung at Sergio regarding the age gap between him and Caroline was “boy toy.” Lesa later recanted and said the relationship did not bother her.
Although faced with criticism, Caroline maintained that her relationship with Sergio is loving and that it saddened her if anyone thought it was otherwise. Her marriage to Sergio rejuvenated her, and as with many older men with younger women, she has been able to relive her youth. The Real Housewives of Dubai star plans to be an example, primarily to women, that life does not end at divorce and middle age but can be a continuation of success.
The Real Housewives of Dubai airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
Source: Life After Bravo