Barbara Kavovit

Barbara Kavovit, colloquially known as Barbara K, is an American author, businesswoman, former political candidate, and reality television personality who appeared on ''The Real Housewives of New York City''. She is the author of two nonfiction books, followed by the fictional semi-autobiographical ''Heels of Steel''. She announced her candidacy for the 2021 New York City Democratic mayoral primary in January 2021, eventually dropping out in June that same year.

Early life and education

Kavovit was raised by her history teacher mother and her father, mechanical engineer Joseph Kavovit (d. 2013), in The Bronx, New York, United States. She has a sister named Caryn Kavovit. She attended State University of New York at Oswego, where she majored in economics and finance and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in 1987.

Career

Books

Kavovit is the author of three books, including the nonfiction books ''Room For Improvement'' (2005) and ''Invest in Your Nest'' (2006), and the fiction novel ''Heels of Steel'' (2019). The synopsis for ''Heels of Steel'' reads: The release party for ''Heels of Steel'' was held at the PHD Terrace at Dream Midtown in June 2019. Hasty Book List reviewed the book and wrote, "Who run the world? Girls! I love me a great story with a strong female lead who is shattering glass ceilings and proving themselves in "a man's world" while remaining true to who they are. I also really freaking love this book cover. PLUS, this book is semi-autobiographical." Writing for the ''Toronto Star'', Sue Carter wrote, "The rags-to-riches ''Heels of Steel'' scores all the beach-read checkboxes: sex, fashion, deceit, Hamptons parties, nasty rich villains and a tough-spirited heroine." Writing for ''Swaay'', Iman Oubou wrote the novel "addresses sexism in the construction industry." Sarah Slusher from ''Really Into This'' stated, "Do I want to read a debut novel by the newest member of Bravo’s ''Real Housewives of New York''? You bet your ass I do!"

Construction work

Kavovit is the CEO of Evergreen Construction, a business she founded in 2015. In 2020, the company was contracted to re-do Harvey Weinstein's former New York City offices, which got attention because Evergreen Construction is female led. For that project, she used female tradespeople and a female project manager, which she included as part of her pitch to get the project. She uses construction tools from the line DIYVA, a tools and kits line marketed to women that she created.

Television

Kavovit appeared on the reality television show ''The Real Housewives of New York City'' as a guest on seasons 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9, then as a friend of Luann de Lesseps for season 11; de Lessepts claimed "Barbara was one of the few people who was there for her during her road to sobriety." The two initially met on a playground. Shannon Raphael of ''Distractify'' wrote Kavovit was "Luann's support system". The two subsequently had a falling out and Kavovit did not return in season 12. '' Screen Rant'' writer Sabrina Constabile wrote Kavovit "did not mesh well with many of her cast members" while on the show. Kavovit stated, "I think for me, being new to the group and not being embraced the way I think I could have been embraced, I think I held my own pretty well."

After not coming back for ''RHONY'' season 12, Kavovit tweeted a "teaser" in November 2019 that she was pitching her own show when she replied to a fan, "No love- fingers crossed pitching my own show – stay tuned!"

Politics

In January 2021, Kavovit announced via Instagram she was running to become the next New York City mayor with Bill DeBlasio's term ending in the 2021 New York City mayoral election. Kavovit stated, "I may not be a politician, but I'm a Bronx-born New Yorker who isn't fearful of the hard work and tough decisions that lay ahead." Her campaign slogan was "It will take a builder to rebuild New York City and I'm the woman to do it." She stated she had been considering the run for more than a year.

''The Brooklyn Reader'' reported "Kavovit said now was not the time to defund the police. Restoring trust and confidence in the NYPD would be one of her priorities as mayor. She said she wanted to see more community policing and less law enforcement involvement in cases dealing with mental illness and homelessness." Kavovit has proposed turning Rikers Island, the city's main jail complex, into a "colony for the city's homeless." ''Curbed'' writer Caroline Spivak criticized the proposal, stating it "sounds uncomfortably like an internment camp" and is "a profoundly bad idea."

In March 2021, Kavovit joined ''Decision NYC with Ben Max'' to discuss her candidacy and goals. By March 17, Kavovit had raised $15,320, which ''City & State New York'' characterized as "anemic" compared to Eric Adams' $7.6 million and Scott Stringer's $6.85 million. Reality television personalities Carla Facciolo (''Mob Wives'') and Margaret Josephs (''Real Housewives of New Jersey'') both supported the campaign.

In early June 2021, Kavovit announced she was dropping out of the race. She went on to endorse Kathryn Garcia. Garcia went on to lose by 0.8 percentage points to Eric Adams for the Democratic primary.

Personal life

Kavovit lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She was previously married to a man who also worked as a contractor. As of 2021, her son, Zachary Kavovit-Murphy, lives with her.

In 2018, Kavovit signed a petition that opposed a wind farm's electric cable being installed under the beach in Wainscott, New York. In March 2021, the states' Public Service Commission approved the project to proceed.

Finances

In 2006, Kavovit and her father took out a loan for $2.6 million to purchase a $7 million mansion in Wainscott. Kavovit filed for personal bankruptcy in 2015. In 2019, she listed the 6,500 foot Wainscott home for rent on OutEast.com for $130,000 "for the rest of July through Labor Day" to try and offset the remaining $2.5 million she owed to Deutsche Bank. As of August 2020 she was in settlement discussions with Deutsche Bank.

External links

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kavovit, Barbara
Living people
21st-century American women writers
Candidates in the 2021 United States elections
Place of birth missing (living people)
The Real Housewives cast members
Writers from New York (state)
Year of birth missing (living people)
New York (state) Democrats