Tinsley Mortimer

Early life

Mortimer was born Tinsley Randolph Mercer in Richmond, Virginia. Her father was George Riley Mercer Jr., a real-estate investor, and her mother is Dale Tatum Mercer, an interior designer and socialite. Her paternal grandfather, George Riley Mercer Sr., founded Mercer Rug Cleansing in 1936. Mortimer is descended from multiple First Families of Virginia. She grew up at Graymont, her family's estate in Richmond.

Mortimer attended St. Catherine's School, a private all-girls Episcopal school in Richmond, and later the Lawrenceville School, a boarding school in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where she was a member of the Kirby House. Mortimer was a debutante and was presented to Richmond society during the Bal du Bois at the Country Club of Virginia.

She went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a freshman in college, but later transferred to Columbia University. At Columbia, she was a member of St. Anthony Hall. She was also a nationally ranked tennis player and played varsity tennis for Columbia. She graduated from Columbia with a bachelor of arts degree in art history, and later obtained her master's degree in decorative arts from the Cooper Hewitt design museum.

Career

Early in her career, Mortimer worked as a beauty assistant at Vogue and an event planner for Harrison & Shriftman. Mortimer had a line of handbags and clothing in Japan for Samantha Thavasa, for which she was featured in an advertising campaign. Her handbag line, "Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer", debuted in winter 2006 with its American flagship store in New York City. She was also featured prominently in Samantha Thavasa USA's online promotional materials and in the company's Madison Avenue store, which also carries her handbags. She subsequently formed her own clothing line, Riccime by Tinsley Mortimer, which was sold exclusively in Japan. In 2008, Mortimer became involved in branding and design for a condominium development.

Mortimer has served as Christian Dior's beauty ambassador and helped to create a lip gloss named Tinsley Pink. She has appeared in several magazine editorials, including Vogue, WWD, Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire. In May 2012, she appeared on the cover of Vestal magazine, which also featured an editorial styled by Lo'renzo Hill-White and shot by fashion photographer Kevin Sinclair. She has appeared on the magazine covers of Page Six Magazine, Virginia Living, Avenue, CVLUX, Maniac, and New York.

She made a cameo on the season two premiere episode of Gossip Girl, which aired on September 1, 2008, on The CW. In an interview for Vanity Fair, Gossip Girl's costume designers Eric Daman and Meredith Markworth-Pollack cited Mortimer and fellow New York socialite Arden Wohl when asked if they were influenced by New York socialites. Daman and Markworth-Pollack said that "if you put Blair and Serena together, you get Tinsley Mortimer. Tinsley's hair is always set and she always looks perfect, but she takes risks." On March 10, 2010, Mortimer debuted her own reality television show called High Society, starring Mortimer along with other socialites such as Paul Johnson Calderon and Devorah Rose. The show documented the lives of Mortimer and her friends in New York City, but it was critically panned and cancelled after 8 episodes because of low ratings. The failure of the show was credited with causing Mortimer's subsequent "downfall" as a New York socialite.

Mortimer wrote a novel titled Southern Charm, which follows Minty Davenport from South Carolina to New York, where she is the victim of rumors. It was published by Simon & Schuster in April 2013. Mortimer also wrote a chapter in the book The Park Avenue Diet, which outlines recommendations on improving one's conversation and social skills, written by Manhattan diet doctor Stuart Fischer. She has been a contributor for Town & Country magazine since 2017. In 2017, Mortimer joined the cast of Bravo's reality television series The Real Housewives of New York City for the show's ninth season.

In 2014, she launched Home Collection manufactured by Pop Culture Living, an e-commerce site featuring curated collections of home accessories. She currently has her own line of housewares products sold at Bed Bath & Beyond and Wayfair. The collection includes dinnerware, decorative glasses, barware and ice buckets. In June 2019, Mortimer launched a new collaboration of false eyelashes with the beauty brand Winky Lux titled "XXO Tinsley for Winky Lux." She designed the product packaging herself. In September 2019, Mortimer walked the runway for Garo Sparo's fashion show at New York Fashion Week. In October 2019, Mortimer announced that she has partnered up with RuMe to launch a Resort 2020 Collection, which consists of travel, fashion, and beauty accessories.

Advocacy

In July 2020, Mortimer appeared in a pro-adoption billboard "Buy Shoes, Not Dogs" for PETA. The billboard was located in Chicago, Illinois, and Mortimer also appeared in a video, where she encouraged people to adopt dogs from shelters. Mortimer has adopted her two dogs called Strawberry and Shortcake.

Personal life

Mortimer met Robert Livingston "Topper" Mortimer (son of John Jay Mortimer) at Lawrenceville School and eloped when they were both 18. However, their parents forced them to annul the marriage. On May 4, 2002, they remarried in Richmond, Virginia. The Mortimers divorced in 2010. Her ex-husband married British fashion designer Tabitha Simmons in 2018.

On July 23, 2010, Mortimer was featured with her mother Dale on the Dr. Phil show discussing her divorce and her differences with her mother.

Her father died on March 26, 2015, in Providence, Rhode Island.

On February 11, 2017, Mortimer was introduced to Chicago-based Coupon Cabin CEO Scott Kluth by her Real Housewives of New York City castmate Carole Radziwill. The pair then entered an on again-off again long distance relationship between New York and Chicago, and as of October 2018, the couple had separated. Mortimer and Kluth were engaged in November 2019 and ended their engagement in March 2021.

In November 2023, Mortimer married businessman Robert Bovard.

Legal issues

In April 2016, Mortimer was arrested for trespassing on her former boyfriend Alexander "Nico" Fanjul's property in Palm Beach, Florida. The charges were later dismissed.

Filmography

References

References

1. "Tinsley Mortimer".
2. Lipton, Lauren. (March 13, 2012). "She's Back, Branding Irons in Hand". The New York Times.
3. (May 5, 2002). "Weddings; Tinsley Mercer, Topper Mortimer". The New York Times.
4. Smith, Ray A.. (February 27, 2010). "Tinsley's Turbulent Year". [[The Wall Street Journal]].
5. Morgan, Spencer. (August 12, 2009). "Tinz & Topp in Tears".
6. (July 13, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer Is Here to Remind You She Was on a Reality Show Before RHONY". [[Bravo (American TV network).
7. "About". Mercer Rug Cleansing.
8. (March 29, 2015). "Obit".
9. Konigsberg, Eric. (October 21, 2007). "Why Is the Blond Smiling?". The New York Times.
10. Pullinger, Jennifer. (April 30, 2012). "Richmond Native, NYC Socialite Tinsley Mortimer Releases Debut Novel".
11. (October 20, 2015). "Tinsley Mortimer Rebrands Her Socialite Status".
12. Ruggieri, Melissa. (March 4, 2010). "Tinsley Mortimer Shows How Reality Can Bite in 'High Society'".
13. (March 10, 2008). "Attention, Tinsley Mortimer: Your Frat Is Looking For You".
14. (November 2015). "Tinsley Mortimer: Talk of the Town".
15. "Columbia Daily Spectator 20 September 1996 — Columbia Spectator".
16. McKelway, Bill. (July 21, 2006). "From the RTD Archives: Richmond Socialites' Father Loses When Gossip Turns to Blood Sport".
17. Patterson, Troy. (March 10, 2010). "High Society: Tinsley Mortimer's New Reality Show Is Like a Hideously Deformed Edith Wharton Story". Slate.com.
18. "The Dramatic Life Story Of The Newest "RHONY" Star".
19. Friedman, Molly. (October 8, 2006). "Tinsley Mortimer Exported to Japan". [[New York (magazine).
20. Brydson, Nicole. (September 11, 2007). "Hamptons!". The Observer.
21. W. W. D. Staff. (November 6, 2006). "Samantha Thavasa, the Brand, Hits N.Y.".
22. "Talk Of The Town: Tinsley Mortimer's Storage & Home Collection". CVLUX Magazine.
23. "About Tinsley – Tinsley Mortimer".
24. Barbanel, Josh. (March 23, 2008). "A Socialite Dons a New Title". The New York Times.
25. "The Dramatic Life Story Of The Newest "RHONY" Star".
26. "Socialite-Turned-Model Editorials t vestal".
27. "Cover of Vestal Magazine with Tinsley Mortimer, June 2012 (ID:13756)".
28. (March 31, 2008). "Tinsley Mortimer...Why Is She Famous Again? Besides the Rough Business of Consuming and Burning Calo".
29. "Cover of Avenue with Tinsley Mortimer, March 2009 (ID:6755)".
30. (November 2, 2015). "Talk Of The Town: Tinsley Mortimer's Bar Collection".
31. (June 17, 2010). "Tinsley Mortimer Our Cover Girl".
32. "Tinsley Mortimer - New York Magazine Cover Girl".
33. (April 6, 2009). "Beauty Tips From a Real Life Gossip Girl".
34. (March 1, 2011). "Welcome Back, Gossip Girl".
35. Seidman, Robert. (February 8, 2010). "The CW Announces Midseason Debuts of "High Society" and "Fly Girls"". [[TV by the Numbers]].
36. (March 2016). "Inside the Downfall of Tinsley Mortimer". Town & Country Magazine.
37. (November 15, 2011). "Tinsley Mortimer Pens Debut Novel". Women's Wear Daily.
38. Lipton, Lauren. (March 13, 2012). "She's Back, Branding Irons in Hand". New York Times.
39. (March 31, 2008). "New Uptown and Downtown Diet Plans Make Great His and Hers Treats".
40. "Tinsley Mortimer Contributor".
41. "How Will Tinsley Mortimer Fit into a New Season of RHONY — and Which Housewife Is She Replacing?".
42. (December 3, 2014). "E-commerce Venture Pop Culture Living Launches".
43. "Licensed Products".
44. (June 13, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer's New Beauty Collaboration Winks at Her Famous RHONY Tagline". [[Bravo (American TV network).
45. McCarthy, Lauren. (June 12, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer Bats Her Lashes at Her Beauty Mogul Future". [[W (magazine).
46. (September 11, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer Hit the Catwalk as a Cosmic Queen in Garo Sparo's Fashion Show". [[Bravo (American TV network).
47. "Brighten Your Day. Be Eco-Friendly. Shop RuMe.".
48. (October 7, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer Launched a Fashion Project Inspired by Her Dogs". [[Bravo (American TV network).
49. "@tinsleymortimer on Instagram: "It's here! The Tinsley by RuMe Resort 2020 collection has officially launched! 🌴💕Always on the go like me? These bags will fit all your..."".
50. (February 21, 2012). "Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer: Bags Inspired by Blake Lively + Sienna Miller".
51. (May 2008). "Tinsley Mortimer Explains the Japanese Handbag Market".
52. "Tinsley Mortimer's Socialite Style - Samantha Thavasa Handbags Fall 2010".
53. "Tinsley Mortimer at the Milly by Michelle Smith Spring 2011 Fashion Show".
54. Rekstis, Emily. (November 18, 2019). "Tinsley Mortimer's Packing Secret Weapon Is Perfect for Holiday Travel".
55. "Tinsley by RuMe".
56. "j e n n i f e r z e u n e r on Instagram: "MDW is here!! Perfect time to shop our tinsley x #jenniferzeuner collab and save 20% off your entire purchase ☀️ code: MD20"".
57. "tinsleymortimer on Instagram: "Hey fam! I'm sooo excited to officially share that my jewelry collection with @jenniferzeunerjewelry is now LIVE to shop! 🛍 I've been working on this collection with the Jennifer Zeuner team for over a year and can't believe it's officially launching today! For years you have asked about my hoops and now I have a collection for you all! I'm obsessed with all three styles of hoops! I love my necklaces and anklet too! Please check them out and if you have any questions drop them below and I can help! Link in bio to shop! XXO TINSLEY 💖💖💖"".
58. (May 24, 2021). "Tinsley Mortimer's Latest Venture Answers a Question Fans Have Been Asking "for Years"".
59. (July 30, 2020). "Tinsley Mortimer Appears on New PETA Billboard: 'Buy Shoes, Not Dogs'". [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
60. (April 23, 2020). "Bravo TV's Tinsley Mortimer Promotes Dog Adoption". [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
61. Konigsberg, Eric. (October 21, 2007). "Why Is the Blond Smiling?". The New York Times.
62. (June 12, 2018). "Tinsley Mortimer's Ex-Husband Topper Mortimer Got Remarried: See Inside the High-Fashion Wedding".
63. (July 23, 2009). "Meddling Moms". Peteski Productions.
64. (March 29, 2015). "Mercer, George". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
65. "RHONY's Tinsley Mortimer Still Dating Coupon Cabin CEO Scott Kluth: 'We're Almost Soul Mates'". PEOPLE.com.
66. Corinthios, Aurelie. (October 24, 2017). "RHONY's Tinsley Mortimer Reportedly Splits from CouponCabin CEO Scott Kluth". [[People (magazine).
67. Swartz, Tracy. (November 25, 2019). "CouponCabin CEO, 'Real Housewives' Star Get Engaged in Chicago". The Chicago Tribune.
68. Guglielmi, Jodi. (March 18, 2021). "Tinsley Mortimer and Scott Kluth End Engagement: 'An Incredibly Difficult Decision,' He Says". People.
69. Weaver, Emily. (November 13, 2023). "Who Is Tinsley Mortimer's Husband? All About Robert Bovard". People Magazine.
70. Hasan, Sadiba. (November 24, 2023). "A New York City Socialite Returns to Her Southern Roots". The New York Times.
71. (March 14, 2017). "Tinsley Mortimer, Former Richmonder & NYC Socialite, on 'Real Housewives of New York'".
72. (September 22, 2016). "Tinsley Mortimer Looks Ahead".
73. "Tinsley Mortimer Finalizes Deal with Ex to Have Case Dismissed After Trespassing Arrest: 'She Can Finally Move On with Her Life,' Source Says". People.
74. Vognar, Chris. (May 17, 2023). "The Secret Life of Paris Hilton and Tinsley Mortimer's Gossip Blogger".