Heather Dubrow is addressing claims that she and husband Terry Dubrow donated a significant amount of money to Yale so that her daughter could attend the coveted Ivy League school.
“Oh God, listen — that ship sailed a long time ago,” Heather, 56, exclusively told Luxury Handbag Shopping while attending Nancy Davis’ 32nd Annual Race to Erase MS Gala on Friday, May 16, at Fairmont Century Plaza. “Even if I wanted to pay, that’s not a thing.”
Last month, Dubrow was asked via Instagram “How big was the donation?” to her daughter’s future school. She replied 0$.
“I’ll tell you a quick story,” Heather continued on Friday. “When the twins got into kindergarten, that process of private school kindergarten was so ridiculous to me and upsetting and it gave me so much anxiety [that I said], ‘I’m never doing this again.’ So I told all the kids when they got to high school, ‘If you want choices, study, and here’s your guidance counselor and do your best. I’ll be your cheerleader, but I’m not fighting with you. This is your life. It’s up to you.’ And that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County star celebrated her daughter Katarina, 18, committing to Yale University in the fall via a sweet Instagram post shared in April. (Heather and Terry also share Ace, 14, and twins Nick and Max, 21.)
“CONGRATULATIONS KATARINA!!!!” the proud mom wrote at the time. “We are so proud of you and excited to watch you SHINE in college !!!! WE LOVE YOU !!!!! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 @yale_2029 @yale #bedparty”
In the sweet shout out, the reality star and her husband could be seen sitting alongside their daughter and their family dogs. Another snap showed Kat posing in front of a celebratory cake with the words “Class of 2029” written on it — an ode to her eventual graduation from the Ivy League institution.
In 2019, the college admissions scandal, also known as Operation Varsity Blues, broke, in which a large-scale investigation uncovered a criminal conspiracy involving 33 parents who bribed college admission officials and coaches in order to illegally arrange and secure their children’s admissions to top universities. Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Laughlin were among some of the stars who were involved.
“I am happy to say I had nothing to do with it,” Heather continued of her daughter’s acceptance to the university. “Kat did this all on her own, as did my other kids. You want your kids to be where they belong, not at the place they don’t belong, because they’re not going to be successful.”
