'Real Housewives' Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley Split?
"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Gretchen Rossi is reportedly in the process of ending her two year relationship with boyfriend Slade Smiley after "growing tired" of dealing with his financial woes.
"Gretchen is growing tired of taking care of Slade and paying for everything in his life and she's just about had it," a source close Rossi told RadarOnline.com. "She is supporting him and helping to pay his legal bills and it's getting to be too much for her. Gretchen is seriously considering ending the relationship because she's sick of doing everything for Slade."
Smiley reportedly owes at least $160,000 in unpaid child support for his 11-year-old son who is battling brain cancer, and despite being considered among Orange County's wealthiest businessmen in prior seasons, the 38-year-old is now broke.
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Smiley's ongoing financial woes are said to be the prime reason that Rossi, 34, refuses to marry him.
Smiley was reportedly approached by Bravo producers about proposing to Rossi at an exotic location in Bora Bora to help form a dramatic season finale, according to TMZ.
The couple turned down the offer, which was then reportedly presented to their reality TV co-stars Tamra Barney and Eddie Judge, according to TMZ.com.
Rossi has previously spoken about her reluctance to marry Smiley due to his money problems on the hit reality TV show, and publicly acknowledged that his child support debt was the reason why.
"That debt is so high right now how are we ever going to be able to pay that?" Rossi asked Smiley, adding "if we're going to be married and we're going to be in a relationship ... whatever is your issue is gonna be my issue."
An emotional Rossi later admitted that while she cares about Smiley, it may not be enough to keep them together.
"I'm madly in love but I'm not madly in love and stupid," Rossi said.
Bravo executives are reportedly adding pressure to Rossi to dump Smiley.
"The folks at Bravo hate them together and they don't want Gretchen to date Slade anymore. He really adds nothing to her life and is more of a [leech] than an asset," the source said.
