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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of New York City

Here's Why Dorinda Medley Ended Her Relationship with John Mahdessian

The RHONY cast member reflects on her breakup from the Madame Paulette mogul.

By Jocelyn Vena
Dorinda Medley and John Mahdessian Call It Quits

It's over. On the May 14 episode of The Real Housewives of New York City, Dorinda Medley opened up about ending her relationship with longtime partner John Mahdessian.

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"The breakup with John is sad. I mean, it's terrible, but I also know that I have to do what's best for me now. And I've realized that my expectation levels have grown," she explained in an interview in episode. "This is what I want now. This is what I need. And I need to find the right partner that's willing to be engaged in that. And I don't think that's bad. I think that's honesty."

The split was first reported by Page Six in September 2019, and that report was featured in the episode.

While in the park with Sonja Morgan talking about it, Dorinda noted about her boyfriend of seven years: "I love John and I'll always love John. There's no big fight but I feel bad because John feels terrible because we love each other and I love him and I don't know what will come of it. Don't you feel too, like, you're growing so fast?"

When speaking to Leah McSweeney about Dorinda's relationship with the Madame Paulette dry cleaning mogul, Luann de Lesseps explained, "The need for John has kind of dropped off. When Dorinda's husband [Richard Medley] died, he was there to pick up the pieces. She has so much love for this person who helped in such bad time of her life. And John was there. Listen, this is nothing against John. John is John. I feel like Dorinda's outgrown him."

Dorinda confirmed the split to the group on a trip to a winery on a girls' trip and said she's ready to hit "reset" on her life.

Dorinda has been open this season about her unhappiness in the relationship. "I feel like John sometimes makes lifestyle choices that he knows I don't like," she said in an episode interview earlier this season about her longtime partner. His desire to still be out and about had been an issue for Dorinda, who said in the episode this week that she's looking for a "house cat"-type in her next partner.

On WWHL earlier on April 30, Dorinda confirmed that she is not self-quarantining with John — and offered an update on where they stand these days. "So, no, John is not here. John hasn't been. But I have spoken to him," she said.

Want more RHONY? New episodes air every Thursday at 9/8c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

Check out a throwback video with Dorinda and John, below.

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