Former Real Housewives of New York star Alex McCord wins an Australian psychology award after moving from Brooklyn to Byron Bay
Alex McCord has come a long way since her days as a Real Housewife of New York.
And on Monday, the 46-year-old psychology graduate revealed that her research paper had won an award from the Australian Psychological Society.
The former reality TV star – who moved to Australia with her husband Simon van Kempen and their two sons Johan, 14; and Francois, 16, back in 2014 – shared a photo of herself holding up the peer-reviewed journal, Computers in Human Behaviour.
Award winning work: RHONY alum Alex McCord won a psychology award from the Australian Psychological Society for her research paper
She beamed as she held up her paper, titled ‘Short video game play improves executive function in the oldest old living in residential care’.
Alex wrote in the caption: ‘Thrilled that my research on which my first peer-reviewed journal article was based has also won a national award – Elsie Harwood Award by Australian Psychological Society for excellence in ageing research for an Honours or Graduate thesis.’
The Elsie Harwood Award ‘aims to raise awareness in the field of psychology and ageing and to encourage students to carry out research in this field.’
Achievement: In the caption of her Instagram post Alex said she was ‘thrilled’ that her research in her first peer-reviewed journal article was recognised with a national award
Family: Alex moved to Australia with her husband Simon van Kempen and their two sons Johan, 14; and Francois, 16. They relocated from Brooklyn to the Byron Bay Hinterland back in 2014
Back in May, Alex (whose real name is Sara) celebrated earning her master’s degree in psychology from the University of New England.
The retired reality star shared a photo of her degree and the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar certificate for ‘excellence in academic performance.’
‘Call me master. (Not mistress),’ she proudly wrote in the caption.
Earned it! Back in May, Alex (whose real name is Sara) celebrated earning her master’s degree in psychology from the University of New England and shared a photo of her degree (pictured). ‘Call me master. (Not mistress),’ she proudly wrote in the caption
Celebrating a milestone: That same month, Alex and her husband Simon also celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary together. The couple dressed up in matching off-white ensembles and smile for photos on the beach in Byron Bay
That same month, Alex and her husband Simon also celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary together.
She shared romantic photos of herself in an off-white dress and flowers in her hair as she posed alongside her spouse, who matched her in an off-white coat with floral piece, and a brown button-up shirt.
The former Victoria’s Secret visual merchandiser was a founding member of RHONY, and she appeared in the first four seasons of the show before moving from Brooklyn to the Byron Bay Hinterland in 2014.
Back in 2018, McCord’s co-star Bethenny Frankel revealed to InStyle that Bravo only paid her $7,250 to star in the first season, which originally had the working title ‘Manhattan Moms.’
Founding housewife: The former Victoria’s Secret visual merchandiser was a founding member of RHONY she appeared in the first four seasons of the Bravo reality show (pictured right alongside the season two cast at the premiere in 2009)