Ashley Darby is one of the original cast members on “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” Now, as the show has returned for its 10th season, she’s embracing her independence. However, she recently shared the sad news that her estranged father has passed away.
Darby shared the news on Instagram Stories on October 12. The RHOP star said, “My mom informed me my father had passed away.” It’s worth noting that Darby’s mother raised her, and her father hadn’t been in her life since she was one year old.
She continued, “Today was his funeral, and I contemplated going, almost to have my own sense of closure, but I’ve been traveling so much and I really wanted to be with my own kids this weekend. My rationale was, why would I want to take time away from my own kids for someone who never made time for me?”
Darby Learned She Had Siblings
The “Real Housewives of Potomac” star continued, stating that she learned more about her dad from his obituary. She said, “I found out that I have siblings. All of the things I had no idea about my father, I learned about in his obituary. I learned he liked to garden, he taught himself how to play guitar, he was an avid fisherman — really, so many of the things that I also love to do.”
According to her, “In the obituary, it said his greatest accomplishment was being a dad to his two sons. It stung a little bit. Whatever. It’s interesting how you can mourn and have some sort of grieving — a unique form of grieving — for someone you have no relationship with, right? Just blood relations, but no emotional connection. That is so interesting.”
Darby also shared that she’s previously learned he had been in hospice care for cancer. She added, “I guess what I ultimately surmise from this experience of my life, at 37, is really learning to close the door.”
Still, she admitted that she had previously hoped he would reach out to her. Fans of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” will recall that she tried to contact him during the fourth season of the show, but he refused.
She Recently Celebrated Her Divorce
The “Real Housewives of Potomac” star was married to Michael Darby when she joined the show. However, she announced their separation in 2022. Their years-long divorce played out on the show, and it was finalized in early 2025.
She appeared on the October 12 episode of “Watch What Happens Live” and provided an update on her post-life. Darby said, “It’s pretty good. A little bittersweet. Almost a year now.”
Andy Cohen then asked about co-parenting as she shares two sons with her ex. She said, “Much better, we’re actually getting along.” Darby also shared that she’s dating again.
