Lauri Peterson Husband: Who Is She Married To? (2026)

Lauri Peterson is married to George Peterson, a real estate developer from Orange County. The couple married on September 8, 2007, and their wedding was featured in the season 3 finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County. As of 2026, they have been married for nearly two decades.

Who Is George Peterson?

George Peterson is a successful real estate developer based in Orange County, California. Before marrying Lauri, he was previously married to a woman named Regina "Gina" Peterson; they separated in 2002 and their divorce was finalized in 2004. George appeared alongside Lauri on The Real Housewives of Orange County across multiple episodes between 2007 and 2013, credited as himself in 23 episodes. Bravo's official bio described him as a successful Orange County real estate developer who gave Lauri the lavish lifestyle viewers saw on the show, including a black American Express card she proudly showed off during a shopping party.

Marriage Timeline

Lauri Peterson has been married three times. Her first husband was Howard Zarlin, whom she married in 1982. Her second husband was Phillip Waring. After both marriages ended in divorce, Lauri met George Peterson, and the two were engaged for a year before marrying on September 8, 2007. Lauri herself called the marriage proof that "third time is a charm." Viewers watched Lauri and George combine their families on the show — Lauri had three children of her own and George had four, making them a family of nine. Lauri described the blended household as "the modern-day Brady Bunch." Their marriage has remained intact for nearly 19 years as of 2026, making it by far her longest marriage.

Children

Lauri Peterson has three children: Ashley (born April 17, 1990) from her marriage to Howard Zarlin, and Josh (born 1998) and Sophie (born September 30, 1997) from her marriage to Phillip Waring. She is also stepmother to George's four children: Bria, McKenzie, Slayte, and Danyka. In 2015, Lauri and George adopted Josh's daughter Kennedy, who was born in 2012, amid Josh's long-running struggles with addiction and legal problems. Josh Waring, her son, died in 2025 at the age of 35. Lauri has spoken publicly about how his addiction shaped her decision to leave the show.

Career Highlights

Before television, Lauri Peterson worked in the insurance industry in Coto de Caza, California, and also worked for fellow housewife Vicki Gunvalson. She joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006 as one of the five original housewives, alongside Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Vicki Gunvalson, and Jeana Keough. She appeared as a full cast member in seasons 1 through 4, returned as a guest in season 5, and appeared as a "friend of the housewives" in season 8. In 2008, she told the Orange County Register she was leaving the show to focus on her family during her son Josh's addiction and legal crises. During her return in season 8, she made headlines for accusing Vicki Gunvalson of cheating and having a threesome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lauri Peterson still married to George Peterson?

Yes. Lauri Peterson has been married to George Peterson since September 8, 2007, and the couple remains together as of 2026.

How many times has Lauri Peterson been married?

Three times. Her first husband was Howard Zarlin (married 1982), her second was Phillip Waring, and her third and current husband is George Peterson.

How many children does Lauri Peterson have?

Lauri has three biological children — Ashley, Josh, and Sophie — and is stepmother to George's four children, Bria, McKenzie, Slayte, and Danyka. She and George also adopted her granddaughter Kennedy in 2015.

What happened to Lauri Peterson's son Josh?

Josh Waring struggled for years with drug addiction and legal problems, including a 2016 arrest for attempted murder for which he took a plea deal in 2020. He died in 2025 at the age of 35.

Which seasons of RHOC did Lauri Peterson appear on?

Lauri was a main cast member in seasons 1–4, a guest in season 5, and a "friend of the housewives" in season 8.