Barbara Kavovit

Barbara Kavovit, colloquially known as Barbara K,[2] is an American author, businesswoman, former political candidate, and reality television personality who appeared on The Real Housewives of New York City. She is the author of two nonfiction books, followed by the fictional semi-autobiographical Heels of Steel. She announced her candidacy for the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary in January 2021, eventually dropping out in June that same year.

Barbara Kavovit
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBarbara K
Alma materState University of New York at Oswego
Occupation(s)Reality television personality; author; businesswoman
Years active2005 - present
Known forThe Real Housewives of New York City
Notable workHeels of Steel
Political partyDemocrat[1]
Websitebarbarakformayor.com evergreenconstructioncorp.com

Early life and education

Kavovit was raised by her history teacher mother and her father, mechanical engineer Joseph Kavovit (d. 2013), in The Bronx, New York, United States. She has a sister named Caryn Kavovit.[3] She attended State University of New York at Oswego, where she majored in economics and finance and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in 1987.[4][5]

Career

Books

Kavovit is the author of three books, including the nonfiction books Room For Improvement[6] (2005) and Invest in Your Nest[7] (2006), and the fiction novel Heels of Steel (2019).[8] The synopsis for Heels of Steel reads:

Heels of Steel follows the journey of Bridget Steele, the Bronx-born, tough-as-nails and sexy construction company CEO, who is determined to be the first woman to get a contract to build a New York City skyscraper. Fighting for her life and career in the male dominated world of the Big Apple’s real estate industry, Steele also finds herself falling for her biggest rival, who could impede her rise to the top. In this summer’s hottest beach read, Kavovit gives readers a look into the cut-throat business of hardhats and hammers, delving into the sexism, corruption, harassment and how far people will go to land a contract."[9]

The release party for Heels of Steel was held at the PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown in June 2019.[9] Hasty Book List reviewed the book and wrote, "Who run the world? Girls! I love me a great story with a strong female lead who is shattering glass ceilings and proving themselves in "a man's world" while remaining true to who they are. I also really freaking love this book cover. PLUS, this book is semi-autobiographical."[10] Writing for the Toronto Star, Sue Carter wrote, "The rags-to-riches Heels of Steel scores all the beach-read checkboxes: sex, fashion, deceit, Hamptons parties, nasty rich villains and a tough-spirited heroine."[11] Writing for Swaay, Iman Oubou wrote the novel "addresses sexism in the construction industry."[12] Sarah Slusher from Really Into This stated, "Do I want to read a debut novel by the newest member of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York? You bet your ass I do!"[13]

Construction work

Kavovit is the CEO of Evergreen Construction, a business she founded in 2015.[14] In 2020, the company was contracted to re-do Harvey Weinstein's former New York City offices, which got attention because Evergreen Construction is female led.[15][16] For that project, she used female tradespeople and a female project manager, which she included as part of her pitch to get the project.[17] She uses construction tools from the line DIYVA, a tools and kits line marketed to women that she created.[18]

Television

Kavovit appeared on the reality television show The Real Housewives of New York City as a guest on seasons 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, then as a friend of Luann de Lesseps for season 11; de Lessepts claimed "Barbara was one of the few people who was there for her during her road to sobriety."[19] The two initially met on a playground.[20] Shannon Raphael of Distractify wrote Kavovit was "Luann's support system".[21] The two subsequently had a falling out and Kavovit did not return in season 12.[22] Screen Rant writer Sabrina Constabile wrote Kavovit "did not mesh well with many of her cast members" while on the show.[23]

Appearances on RHONY
Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Guest Guest Friend

After not coming back for RHONY season 12, Kavovit tweeted a "teaser" in November 2019 that she was pitching her own show when she replied to a fan, "No love- fingers crossed pitching my own show – stay tuned!"[24]

Politics
Barbara Kavovit Twitter
@msbarbarak

I really do care. I really do believe in #NewYorkCity. There's no place I'd rather be. There's no place I'll ever live. I want to see the shining, modern city with opportunity for all that I know it can be.

March 13, 2021[25]

In January 2021, Kavovit announced via Instagram she was running to become the next New York City mayor with Bill DeBlasio's term ending in the 2021 New York City mayoral election.[19] Kavovit stated, "I may not be a politician, but I'm a Bronx-born New Yorker who isn't fearful of the hard work and tough decisions that lay ahead."[26] Her campaign slogan was "It will take a builder to rebuild New York City and I'm the woman to do it."[27] She stated she had been considering the run for more than a year.[26]

The Brooklyn Reader reported "Kavovit said now was not the time to defund the police. Restoring trust and confidence in the NYPD would be one of her priorities as mayor. She said she wanted to see more community policing and less law enforcement involvement in cases dealing with mental illness and homelessness."[28] Kavovit has proposed turning Rikers Island, the city's main jail complex, into a "colony for the city's homeless."[29] Curbed writer Caroline Spivak criticized the proposal, stating it "sounds uncomfortably like an internment camp" and is "a profoundly bad idea."[29]

In March 2021, Kavovit joined Decision NYC with Ben Max to discuss her candidacy and goals.[30] By March 17, Kavovit had raised $15,320, which City & State New York characterized as "anemic" compared to Eric Adams' $7.6 million and Scott Stringer's $6.85 million.[31] Reality television personalities Carla Facciolo (Mob Wives) and Margaret Josephs (Real Housewives of New Jersey) both supported the campaign.[22]

In early June 2021, Kavovit announced she was dropping out of the race.[32] She went on to endorse Kathryn Garcia.[33] Garcia went on to lose by 0.8 percentage points to Eric Adams for the Democratic primary.[34]

Personal life

Kavovit lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She was previously married to a man who also worked as a contractor.[35] She has a son.[36]

Finances

In 2006, Kavovit and her father took out a loan for $2.6 million to purchase a $7 million mansion in Wainscott.[37] Kavovit filed for personal bankruptcy in 2015.[21] As of August 2020 she was in settlement discussions with Deutsche Bank.[21]

References
  1. Roberto, Melissa (September 26, 2020). "Former 'Housewives' star Barbara Kavovit wants to run for NYC mayor in 2021: 'They need a woman in office!'". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  2. Zaragoza, Alex (February 19, 2021). "New York Is A 'Mess' This Former Reality Star Is Ready to Clean Up". Vice. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  3. Kavovit, Barbara (June 25, 2019). Heels of Steel: a novel about the queen of New York construction. MIRA. ISBN 9781488035074. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  4. Baird-Remba, Rebecca (April 6, 2021). "The Race to Gracie Mansion: Interview with NYC Mayoral Candidate Barbara Kavovit". Commercial Observer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  5. "Oswego Alumni Magazine". No. Fall 2019. November 19, 2019. p. 48. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  6. Kavovit, Barbara (May 2005). Room for Improvement: Change Your Home! Enhance Your Life! With Tools, Tips, and Inspiration from Barbara K!. Rodale Books. ISBN 978-1594861338.
  7. Kavovit, Barbara (June 2006). Invest in Your Nest: Add Style, Comfort, and Value to Your Home. Rodale Books.
  8. Vanamee, Norman. "A Real Housewife Is Hardly the Most Interesting Outsider to Run for Mayor of New York City". Town and Country. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  9. "Barbara Kavovit Celebrates the Release of Her First Novel: Heels of Steel". Resident. June 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 21, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  10. Hasty, Ashley. "Book Feature - Heels of Steel by Barbara Kavovit". Hasty Book List. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  11. Carter, Sue (June 26, 2019). "Real Housewives of New York star Barbara Kavovit jumps from constructing in the real world to constructing a fictional one". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on June 27, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  12. Oubou, Iman (July 23, 2019). "#Excerpt: RHONY's Barbara Kavovit Addresses Sexism in the Construction Industry in New Novel". Swaay. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  13. Slusher, Sarah (June 25, 2019). "Heels of Steel by Barbara Kavovit". Really Into This. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  14. Cline, Amanda. "5 Things to know about RHONY newcomer Barbara Kavovit's new book, Heels of Steel". Fansided. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  15. Joey, Nolfi (March 10, 2020). "Real Housewives star Barbara Kavovit demolishing Harvey Weinstein's NYC office". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  16. Sophie, Vershbow (November 27, 2020). "A Woman-Led Construction Firm Is Taking a Sledgehammer to the Weinstein Company's Former HQ". Vogue. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  17. Hinchliffe, Emma (December 9, 2020). "'I've had a lot of Harveys in my life': Meet the female construction company owner who demolished the Weinstein Company's old office". Fortune. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  18. Foussains, Chloe (March 6, 2019). "Barbara Kavovit Is the Newest RHONY Cast Member. Here's What You Should Know About Her". Town and Country. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  19. Constabile, Sabrina (January 28, 2021). "RHONY: Barbara Kavovit Is Running For NYC Mayor". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  20. Cacich, Allison (August 20, 2020). "Barbara Kavovit Is Serving Up Serious "Boss Lady" Vibes on 'RHONY'". Distractify. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  21. Raphael, Shannon (August 20, 2020). "Barbara Kavovit Will Not Be Bringing Her Self Tanner to Season 12 of 'RHONY'". Distractify. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  22. Hitt, Caitlyn (January 27, 2021). "Real Housewives of New York City's Barbara Kavovit Is Running for Mayor of New York City: 'It Will Take a Builder'". US Weekly. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  23. Constabile, Sabrina (September 24, 2020). "RHONY: Why Ex-Star Barbara Kavovit Thinks Dorinda's Alleged Firing Is 'Karma'". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  24. Ragusa, Gina (November 18, 2019). "'RHONY': Barbara Kavovit Teases About New Show". Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  25. Barbara Kavovit [@msbarbarak] (March 13, 2021). "I really do care. I really do believe in #NewYorkCity. There's no place I'd rather be. There's no place I'll ever live. I want to see the shining, modern city with opportunity for all that I know it can be" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. Neumann, Sean (January 27, 2021). "RHONY Alum and Construction CEO Barbara Kavovit Says She's Running for N.Y.C. Mayor". People. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  27. Milman, Oliver (March 17, 2021). "'They aren't used to losing': wealthy New York enclave battles over offshore windfarm". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  28. Roberts, Nigel (March 26, 2021). "Candidates in 'Wide-Open' Mayoral Race Share Solutions to COVID-Exacerbated Issues". The Brooklyn Reader. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  29. Spivak, Caroline (April 8, 2021). "Barbara Kavovit's Plan for Rikers Sounds Uncomfortably Like an Internment Camp". Curbed. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  30. "Decision NYC: Barbara Kavovit Discusses Her Run for Mayor". No. March 28, 2021. Gotham Gazette. Archived from the original on March 29, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  31. Coltin, Jeff (March 17, 2021). "10 things to know about the latest NYC campaign finance filing". City & State New York. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  32. Polus, Sarah (June 3, 2021). "Former 'Real Housewives' star exits New York mayoral race". The Hill. Archived from the original on June 5, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  33. Yomary, Tatayana (June 4, 2021). "Former 'RHONY' Star Barbara Kavovit Has Dropped out of the NYC Mayoral Race". Distractify. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  34. Kaufman, Anna; Max, Ben (July 22, 2021). "How Kathryn Garcia Defied the Odds But Came Up Just Short". Gotham Gazette. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  35. Denninger, Lindsay (May 15, 2019). "This Is One Way That Barbara Fits Right In With Her 'RHONY' Co-Stars". Bustle. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  36. Weaver, Caity (January 29, 2021). "Why Barbara Kavovit, Entrepreneur and Occasional 'Housewives' Friend, Is Running for Mayor". New York Times. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  37. Naumann, Ryan (July 26, 2019). "'RHONY' Star Barbara Kavovit Suffers Setback in Battle to Save Mansion From Foreclosure". Yahoo. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
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