# Ashley Darby > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ashley_Darby > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ashley_Darby.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Darby > Source revision: 1343911295 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Ashley Darby** (née **Boalch**; born June 8, 1988) is an American reality television personality. She gained notability after winning [Miss District of Columbia](/source/Miss_District_of_Columbia) in 2011 and has been a main cast member of *[The Real Housewives of Potomac](/source/The_Real_Housewives_of_Potomac)* since the show's inception in January 2016.[1][2] ## Early life and education Darby was raised by her single mother, Sheila Matthews, in [Silver Spring, Maryland](/source/Silver_Spring,_Maryland). She has two younger half-siblings: musician/entrepreneur Zach Smith and University of Maryland student Jessica.[3][4] As a teenager, she often worked to help provide additional income for the family. Following high school graduation, Darby attended [University of Maryland College Park](/source/University_of_Maryland_College_Park) and earned a degree in communications.[5][6] ## Career Since the show's creation, Darby has been a cast member of *[The Real Housewives of Potomac](/source/The_Real_Housewives_of_Potomac)*. Her first seasons focused extensively on her desire to have a child and efforts to successfully run the Australian-themed restaurant, Oz, owned by herself and her former husband. The restaurant floundered for nearly four years until its closure in June 2019.[2][7][8] In 2018, Darby released a single titled *Coffee and Love* produced by her brother.[9] Before joining the show, Darby worked as a bartender at one of her future husband's restaurants. In 2011, she was crowned [Miss District of Columbia](/source/Miss_District_of_Columbia) and went on to represent the District of Columbia in the [Miss America](/source/Miss_America) competition.[6][10] In 2025, Darby starred alongside RHOP co-star Gizelle Byrant, [Shannon Storms Beador](/source/Shannon_Storms_Beador) (RHOC) and [Luann de Lesseps](/source/Luann_de_Lesseps) (RHONY) in a *Real Housewives* spin-off *[Love Hotel](/source/Love_Hotel_(TV_series))*.[11] ## Personal life Ashley Darby married Australian restaurateur and largescale realtor Michael Darby in May 2014.[12][13][14][1] She had her first son, Dean Michael Darby, on July 7, 2019.[15] Darby was very public about her [postpartum depression](/source/Postpartum_depression) following her son's birth and shared she was experiencing "postpartum blues" within the first month.[16][17] Her second son, Dylan Matthew Darby, was born in March 2021.[18] The Darbys announced in April 2022 that they would be separating after almost eight years of marriage.[19] ## References 1. O'Connell, Jonathan (2016-02-18). ["Michael and Ashley Darby's plan for surviving 'Real Housewives'? To have fun."](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/michael-and-ashley-darbys-plan-for-surviving-real-housewives-to-have-fun/2016/02/17/dace8a88-c50a-11e5-9693-933a4d31bcc8_story.html). *Washington Post*. [ISSN 0190-8286](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["Ashley Darby Says Her Age Difference with Her Husband Has Contributed to Her Restaurant Drama"](https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/ashley-darby-marriage-affected-by-new-restaurant). *Bravo TV Official Site*. 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. *Real Housewives of Potomac* (season 10, episode 10). (2025, December 7). 1. Raphael, Shannon (2021-10-29). ["'RHOP' Star Ashley Darby Shares a Close Bond with Her Mom, Sheila Matthews"](https://www.distractify.com/p/ashley-darby-mother). *Distractify*. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. ["Ashley Darby"](https://www.bravotv.com/people/ashley-darby). *Bravo TV Official Site*. 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. ["Where Are They Now?"](https://www.missdc.org/where-are-they-now.html). *Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization*. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. Plumb, Tierney (2019-06-25). ["'Real Housewives' Couple Is Closing Oz Australian Restaurant in Clarendon"](https://dc.eater.com/2019/6/25/18758569/oz-restaurant-closing-clarendon-real-housewives). *Eater DC*. Retrieved 2022-10-30. 1. Heil, Emily (June 26, 2019). ["'Real Housewives' stars Ashley and Michael Darby are closing their Virginia restaurant"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/06/26/real-housewives-stars-ashley-michael-darby-close-their-virginia-restaurant/). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. Retrieved October 31, 2022. 1. America, Good Morning. ["'Real Housewives' Ashley Darby releases hilariously cute song 'Coffee and Love'"](https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/real-housewives-ashley-darby-releases-hilariously-cute-song-56384138). *Good Morning America*. Retrieved 2022-10-30. 1. Source, The Reliable (2011-07-17). ["Miss D.C., Maryland and Virginia vie for Miss America crown — and big scholarship money"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/miss-dc-maryland-and-virginia-vie-for-miss-america-crown--and-big-scholarship-money/2011/07/17/gIQAsHEgKI_blog.html). *Washington Post*. Retrieved 2022-10-31. 1. Tinoco, Armando (February 14, 2025). ["Bravo's 'Love Hotel' Drops First Look At Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Luann De Lesseps & Shannon Beador In Reality Dating Series"](https://deadline.com/2025/02/bravo-love-hotel-first-look-gizelle-bryant-ashley-darby-luann-de-lesseps-shannon-beador-reality-dating-series-1236289535/). *[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)*. Retrieved April 11, 2025. 1. ["Ashley & Michael Darby From 'Real Housewives Of Potomac' Had A Beautiful Wedding Day — PHOTOS"](https://www.bustle.com/articles/146423-ashley-michael-darby-from-real-housewives-of-potomac-had-a-beautiful-wedding-day-photos). *Bustle*. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["Michael J. Darby | Monument Realty"](https://www.monumentrealty.com/about-us/michael-j-darby/). *www.monumentrealty.com*. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. O'Connell, Jonathan (2011-01-27). ["Former real estate giant Monument Realty is working on a comeback"](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/26/AR2011012607898.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. [ISSN 0190-8286](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["Meet 'RHOP' Star Ashley Darby's 'Cutie' Son, Dean Michael: 'I'm Overwhelmingly Happy'"](https://people.com/parents/ashley-darby-son-dean-michael-first-photo-michael-darby-exclusive/). *Peoplemag*. Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["Ashley Darby Reveals She Experienced Her 'First Bout of Postpartum Blues' Since Welcoming Son Dean"](https://people.com/parents/ashley-darby-experienced-postpartum-depression-after-birth-son-dean/). *Peoplemag*. Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["Ashley Darby Reveals She Experienced Her 'First Bout of Postpartum Blues' Since Welcoming Son Dean"](https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ashley-darby-reveals-she-experienced-224746903.html). *ca.news.yahoo.com*. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 2022-11-02. 1. ["Ashley Darby Just Shared Even More "Magic" Photos of Baby Dylan"](https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/ashley-darby-son-dylan-matthew-darby-see-baby-photos). *Bravo TV Official Site*. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2022-11-01. 1. ["'RHOP' 's Ashley Darby Announces Separation from Husband Michael: 'No One Is the Root Cause'"](https://people.com/tv/ashley-darby-announces-separation-from-husband-michael-darby-no-one-is-the-root-cause/). *Peoplemag*. Retrieved 2022-11-07. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ashley Darby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Darby) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Darby?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.