 — how the Real Housewives of Melbourne star built her fortune through marriage, interior design, and TV fame.){kind=link}
Lydia Schiavello net worth sits at an estimated $50 million, making her one of the wealthiest women to ever appear on the Real Housewives franchise. The Australian reality TV star, model, and interior designer built her fortune through a mix of television fame, a high-profile marriage, and a genuine passion for design.
Best known for her run on The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Lydia became a fan favorite for her sharp wit, glamorous lifestyle, and no-nonsense personality. But there’s a lot more to her story than reality TV drama.
Quick Facts: Lydia Schiavello
| Net Worth | $50 Million |
| Profession | TV Personality, Model, Interior Designer |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known For | The Real Housewives of Melbourne |
| Spouse | Andrew Norbury (architect) |
| Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter, plus 3 stepsons |
| Education | RMIT University (Interior Design) |
Who Is Lydia Schiavello?
Lydia Schiavello is an Australian television personality who grew up in a Melbourne household with strong Italian roots. That heritage shaped her early love of food, family, and design — three things that still define her public image today.
Before she became a household name, Lydia worked in retail and fashion. She had a natural eye for style long before cameras ever found her, and that eye for aesthetics would later become one of her biggest career assets.
Her big break came in 2013, when producers cast her in the first season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. The casting process alone took eight months, and Lydia was chosen out of more than 100 hopefuls. Once the show premiered in 2014, she quickly stood out as one of the most memorable personalities in the cast, staying on for four seasons before stepping back to focus on her family and personal projects.
How Did Lydia Schiavello Build Her $50 Million Net Worth?
Lydia’s wealth comes from several sources rather than one single career move. Here’s a breakdown of where her fortune comes from:
1. Marriage to Andrew Norbury
A large part of Lydia’s net worth is tied to her husband, Andrew Norbury, a well-known Australian architect and property developer. The couple married in Florence, Italy, and their combined assets — including multiple properties — form the backbone of the family’s wealth.
2. Reality TV Career
Appearing on a major international franchise like Real Housewives comes with a paycheck, and four seasons on Australian television gave Lydia a steady income stream while also boosting her public profile and brand value.
3. Interior Design
Lydia didn’t just play a design-loving socialite on TV — she studied it seriously. She earned a degree in interior design from the prestigious RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), one of Australia’s top design schools. She has since applied that training to renovating her own homes and taking on design projects, turning a personal passion into a genuine professional skill.
4. Real Estate
The Schiavello-Norbury family owns a striking home in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Malvern, along with a holiday property in the alpine resort town of Thredbo, New South Wales. Real estate in both locations has historically appreciated well, adding another layer to the family’s net worth.
Lydia Schiavello’s Lifestyle
Lydia is known for living large, and her lifestyle choices reflect that.
- Travel in style: The family has used a private plane to travel between their Melbourne home and their Thredbo holiday house, a detail that became a talking point among fans of the show.
- Gourmet cooking: Lydia is an accomplished home chef, and her love of Italian cooking comes straight from her mother, who taught her traditional family recipes growing up.
- Fashion-forward: She has a reputation as a serious fashionista, right down to her Italian greyhound, Figaro, who’s famous for his own designer wardrobe.
- Philanthropy: Lydia is heavily involved with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, one of Australia’s leading child health research organizations, and has also worked as an ambassador for other charitable causes in Melbourne.
Family Life
Lydia is a mother of six in total. She and Andrew share two sons and a daughter, and Andrew also has three sons from a previous relationship, making the Schiavello-Norbury household a busy, blended family. Despite her high public profile, Lydia has kept many details of her family life private, preferring to let her work and public appearances speak for themselves.
Lydia Schiavello vs. Her Real Housewives of Melbourne Co-Stars
Curious how Lydia’s fortune stacks up against the rest of the cast? Here’s a quick comparison based on publicly reported estimates:
| Cast Member | Estimated Net Worth | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Lydia Schiavello | $50 Million | Interior design, gourmet cooking |
| Chyka Keebaugh | $40 Million | Event planning business |
| Gina Liano | Undisclosed | Criminal barrister, author |
| Gamble Breaux | $2 Million | Art consultant, purse designer |
Lydia has consistently ranked as one of the richest cast members across the show’s run, largely thanks to her marriage and family property holdings.
Career Timeline
- Pre-2013: Works in retail and fashion while pursuing interior design studies.
- 2013: Cast in The Real Housewives of Melbourne after an eight-month selection process.
- 2014: Show premieres; Lydia becomes an instant fan favorite.
- 2014–2017: Appears in four seasons, building her personal brand around design, food, and family.
- Post-show: Steps back from full-time TV to focus on interior design projects, philanthropy, and family life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lydia Schiavello married to?
She is married to Andrew Norbury, a well-known Australian architect and property developer.
How many children does Lydia Schiavello have?
Lydia has three biological children — two sons and a daughter — plus three stepsons from her husband’s previous relationship.
What show made Lydia Schiavello famous?
She rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Melbourne, appearing for four seasons starting in 2014.
Did Lydia Schiavello study interior design?
Yes. She holds a degree in interior design from RMIT University in Melbourne, one of Australia’s top design schools.
Final Thoughts
Lydia Schiavello’s story shows that reality TV fame is often just one piece of a much bigger financial picture. Between a high-value marriage, smart real estate, formal design training, and years in the public eye, she’s built a fortune that goes well beyond her time on camera. Whether she’s hosting a gourmet dinner party or working on her next design project, Lydia remains one of the most talked-about — and wealthiest — stars to come out of the Real Housewives franchise.
For more celebrity net worth breakdowns and the stories behind Hollywood’s biggest fortunes, keep exploring faminaz.com.