If you have ever wondered how old is Phaedra Parks, the answer is straightforward: Phaedra Parks was born on October 26, 1973, which makes her 52 years old as of September 2026. The Georgia native has built an unusually diverse career, moving between law, television, business, writing, social activism, and mortuary science.
Her age is only one part of the story. Parks has remained relevant for more than a decade because her professional life extends far beyond reality television. From her years on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to appearances on other popular reality programs, she has continued to reinvent herself while maintaining a career in law and pursuing several other interests.
Phaedra Parks’ Age and Birth Date
Phaedra Parks celebrates her birthday on October 26. Bravo has repeatedly identified that date as her birthday, including coverage of her 46th birthday in 2019. Based on her 1973 birth year, Parks turns 53 on October 26, 2026.
For readers searching how old is Phaedra Parks, it is important to distinguish between her current age and her age at different points in her television career. When she first became a full-time cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta in 2010, she was in her 30s. Today, she is in her early 50s and remains active in entertainment and professional life.
That longevity is particularly notable because reality television careers can often be short-lived. Parks, however, has continued finding new opportunities and has expanded her public profile beyond the franchise that first made her widely recognizable.
Who Is Phaedra Parks?
Phaedra Parks is much more than a reality television personality. Bravo describes her as an attorney, businesswoman, author, mortician, motivational speaker, social activist, television personality, and mother. She is also associated with several charitable and educational initiatives.
Her educational background is equally broad. Parks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Wesleyan College, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Georgia, and a degree in mortuary sciences from Jefferson State College. This combination of legal and mortuary education has contributed to the distinctive professional identity she has developed over the years.
Rather than relying solely on celebrity status, Parks has maintained professional credentials in fields that existed long before her television career. That distinction helps explain why her career has continued to evolve.
Phaedra Parks and The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Parks became widely known after joining The Real Housewives of Atlanta during its third season in 2010. Her polished Southern style, quick wit, ambitious personality, and professional background quickly made her a recognizable member of the cast.
She remained a full-time cast member for six seasons, eventually leaving the series in 2017. During that period, viewers saw different sides of her life, including her work as an attorney, her family life, and her entrepreneurial interests.
Her original RHOA run became an important chapter in her public life, but it was not the end of her reality television career. Parks later appeared in other reality programs, demonstrating that her television appeal extended beyond one franchise.
Her Return to Reality Television
After leaving The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Parks continued appearing in the wider Bravo and reality television universe. She became part of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, appeared on Married to Medicine, and participated in The Traitors. She also appeared on The Real Housewives of Dubai.
Her participation in The Traitors was particularly significant because it introduced her to viewers who may not have followed her earlier reality television work. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars, further demonstrating her willingness to explore different entertainment formats.
Parks later returned to The Real Housewives of Atlanta, bringing her back into the franchise that had originally made her a household name among reality-TV audiences.
A Successful Career in Law
One of the most important facts about Phaedra Parks is that she established herself as an attorney before becoming a major reality television personality.
She is the managing partner of The Parks Group, an Atlanta-based law firm. According to her Bravo biography, her areas of practice include entertainment law, intellectual property rights, and civil and criminal litigation. She has also been involved in the Atlanta legal community and previously served as president of the Gate City Bar Association.
Her legal education came from the University of Georgia, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1998. In 2024, Parks returned to the university’s law school to deliver a commencement speech, marking an important moment in her relationship with her alma mater.
This aspect of her career is worth highlighting because it shows that her professional identity is not dependent on reality television.
Her Work in Mortuary Science
Another unusual part of Parks’ career is her connection to mortuary science and funeral services.
Parks earned a degree in mortuary sciences and has spoken publicly about her experience working in a funeral home. She has explained that her interest developed following difficult personal losses and eventually became an important professional and creative outlet.
Her work in this area has always stood out because it is so different from the glamorous world of reality television. Yet Parks has treated both careers as meaningful parts of her life.
Her combination of law and mortuary science illustrates why she is often described as someone with multiple professional interests. She has never limited herself to one conventional career path.
Phaedra Parks as a Mother
Family has also remained an important part of Parks’ public story. She is the mother of two sons, Ayden and Dylan, whom she shares with her former husband, Apollo Nida. Bravo has continued to feature Parks discussing her experiences as a mother, including milestones in her sons’ lives.
As her children have grown older, Parks has increasingly discussed the realities of raising sons while balancing work and public attention. Her family life has therefore developed alongside her television and professional career.
For many fans, this part of her story provides a more personal perspective on the woman behind the television personality.
Education, Philanthropy, and Advocacy
Parks has also devoted time to education and community initiatives. Her Bravo biography notes her involvement with scholarship programs, including the Phaedra Scholars Scholarship, which supports first-generation minority law students. She also established the Safe Place Scholarship to address challenges involving student housing and homelessness.
Her charitable work reflects another side of her career that is sometimes overlooked when conversations focus mainly on reality television.
Parks has also been involved in advocacy concerning young people, equality, and social justice. Her public work in these areas has helped establish a broader identity beyond entertainment.
What Is Phaedra Parks Doing Today?
At 52, Parks remains professionally active. Her career continues to combine television appearances with law, business, advocacy, and other interests.
Her continuing presence in reality television is especially notable because she has been able to return to the spotlight at different stages of her life. Instead of remaining associated only with the era in which she first became famous, she has repeatedly found ways to introduce herself to new audiences.
That makes the question how old is Phaedra Parks more interesting than a simple birthday calculation. Her age provides context for a career that has developed across several decades and multiple industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Phaedra Parks in 2026?
Phaedra Parks is 52 years old in September 2026. She was born on October 26, 1973, and will turn 53 on October 26, 2026.
When is Phaedra Parks’ birthday?
Phaedra Parks’ birthday is October 26. Bravo has documented her birthday celebrations on that date.
Where was Phaedra Parks born?
Parks is a Georgia native, and Bravo identifies her as being from the state. Her professional career has also been strongly connected to Atlanta, where she has practiced law.
Is Phaedra Parks still a lawyer?
Yes. Bravo’s current profile identifies Parks as the managing partner of The Parks Group and says she practices in areas including entertainment, intellectual property, civil, and criminal litigation.
Does Phaedra Parks have children?
Yes. Phaedra Parks has two sons, Ayden and Dylan. She has spoken publicly about motherhood and their growth over the years.
What is Phaedra Parks best known for?
She is perhaps best known for appearing on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but her career also includes law, business, writing, mortuary science, advocacy, and appearances on several other television programs.
Conclusion
So, how old is Phaedra Parks? As of September 2026, she is 52 years old, with her 53rd birthday coming on October 26.
But her age tells only a small part of her story. Parks has spent decades building a career that reaches well beyond reality television. She has worked as an attorney, pursued mortuary science, written books, supported educational initiatives, raised two sons, and remained a familiar face across several major reality television programs.
Her ability to move between professional worlds is ultimately what makes Phaedra Parks’ career distinctive. Rather than being defined by one television show or one profession, she has continued to evolve with each stage of her life.
