Jill Zarin

Jill Zarin was the first and most popular housewife cast Season 1 on Bravo's hit show "The Real Housewives of New York City" and has since become a household name for her generosity, charity and family values. Her effervescent persona has guided her philanthropic efforts and other business endeavors to become one of reality televisions most buzzed about personalities.

Jill's devotion to philanthropy roots from personal experience. Both her daughter and stepson have been diagnosed with arthritic diseases. Jill has made it her mission to raise money for arthritis and since then continued to bring people together to learn about managing and living with this disease. Jill also works closely with "Help for Orphans", which helps abandoned children in Haiti. Jill most recently added solar lights to a schoolhouse she has been working closely with in Kissi, Kenya for the past four years.

In addition, Jill is an avid public speaker who has spoken before global, political and non-profit organizations. Coupling her brains with an eye for fashion, Jill was voted one of the "25 most stylish New Yorkers" by US Weekly magazine and has been featured on its cover. Jill can regularly be seen on many national morning talk shows and has also become a regular co-host on NBC's "LXTV New York." Jill is in demand at Jewish Federations all over the country and frequently guest lectures at universities and speaks at corporate events. Jill was the 2009 brand spokesperson for Kodak and has worked with international brands such as Pantene and Fila, to name a few.

Born and raised in Woodmere, New York, Jill graduated from Simmons College School of Retail Management. She began her career as Assistant Buyer at Filene's and grew to become the National Sales Manager/Vice President of Great American Knitting Mills Jockey division. Jill joined her husband Bobby Zarin, owner of Zarin Fabrics and Home Furnishings as a senior executive and focuses on Sales and Marketing while her husband concentrates on their real estate business. When asked to star in the television show "The Real Housewives of New York City," Jill saw it as a great opportunity to expand the Zarin brand. Through her expertise in textiles, Jill is also busy developing products for the home market and has a "Jill Zarin Home" bedding line that will soon be sold in major retailers across the country.

Although Jill has proven herself to be a savvy businesswoman and philanthropist she is also a dedicated mother, daughter and sister. She is a co-author with sister Lisa Wexler and mother Gloria Kamen of the best-selling novel, Secrets of a Jewish Mother, a book about real advice, real love and real stories. Her book hit stores April 2010 and was followed by a national book and press tour. Secrets of a Jewish Mother is being translated into Japanese, Russian and Chinese and is currently in its second printing.

Jill is often asked how she does it all. Her answer: Not always as perfectly as she would like! Her credo is "you can have it all, just not at the same time". She writes a successful blog on bravotv.com and jillzarin.com as well as writing a regular newsletter. Jill is loved for always speaking her mind. She is an entertaining and powerful speaker and has quickly become one of reality televisions most vibrant personas.

"Real Housewives of New York City" just finished its third season and will begin syndication on NBC this fall at 1 p.m. nationwide. It is currently airing in over 50 countries. DVD's are sold through iTunes and national retailers.