Kelsey Swanson is opening up about a major change in her personal life on “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.” During the May 3 episode of the Bravo series, Swanson revealed she ended her relationship with her longtime boyfriend after 10 years together, while also sharing that he plans to continue financially supporting her as she transitions to living on her own.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Swanson told Us Weekly she was in a new relationship, explaining, “I’m only in one relationship now. You’ll see as the season progresses where that goes, but I am in a relationship. [I have a] boyfriend, I will label it that, but not married, and no kids.”
Kelsey Swanson Explains Decision to End 10-Year Relationship
In the episode, Swanson told castmate Liz McGraw that the relationship had reached a point where it could not continue.
“There’s nothing more that I’m going to get out of this relationship or that’s going to change and be different than what it is now,” Swanson said. “It wasn’t just like one specific moment that was like, ‘All right, I’m leaving.’ It kept building and building and building, and every time I thought it couldn’t get worse, it got worse.”
Swanson described the relationship as “very unconventional,” noting that her partner split time between Rhode Island and Miami and that the dynamic evolved over time.
“I know in general, my relationship is very unconventional,” she said. “It was a certain way at the beginning, and there was maybe one other person, but as the years went on, there was more people than I initially thought.”
McGraw, who has known Swanson’s ex since high school, said she was “not surprised” by the breakup and supported Swanson’s decision.
Swanson added that the split was mutual, saying, “I want [a] real, solid relationship,” and noting that her ex “thought that I was making the right decision for myself.”
“We fell asleep hugging each other, because we both knew this was the end,” she said.
‘Real Housewives’ Star Shares Plans for Independence and New Relationship
The episode also showed McGraw helping Swanson move out of the 16,000-square-foot home she shared with her ex. Swanson explained that the transition marked her first time living independently.
“I am terrified,” she said. “I went straight from my parents’ house to his house. So this is the first time where I’m taking that step, and, literally, I’m going to be solo.”
Swanson said she plans to become more self-sufficient moving forward, noting that she has an interest in working in hair and makeup.
“Throughout the relationship, he was always giving me money, so I didn’t have to work,” she said. “Now that we’re not together anymore, I need to be more self-sufficient… Now it’s actually time to be an adult. It’s stressful.”
Earlier in the season, Swanson introduced her boyfriend, William “Bill” L’Europa, whom she has known since childhood. McGraw noted that L’Europa shares similar long-term goals.
“Billy has the same life goals as Kelsey — he wants kids, he wants to get married, he wants to build a life together,” McGraw said.
Kelsey Swanson Says Ex Will Continue Financial Support
Despite the breakup, Swanson said she and her ex remain on good terms and that he has agreed to continue supporting her financially in the short term.
“We have a good relationship,” she said. “There’s still a lot of things that connect the two of us. He still pays for things. He pays my health insurance, pays for my car insurance, and I’m getting a place of my own, and my ex agreed to pay the rent just so that I get on my feet.”
Swanson compared the arrangement to a divorce settlement.
“I’m taking what I’m entitled to,” she said. “It has nothing to do with being independent… He said, ‘Whatever I can do to help you, I will.’”
She added that if they had been married, the outcome could have been more significant financially.
“If I was actually married to him for 10 years, I would be walking away with a lot more,” she said.
“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Bravo, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
