Real Housewives of New Jersey star Margaret Josephs continues to redefine the definition of timeless beauty. Although aging in Hollywood can often be frowned upon, the TV personality embraces it all. It serves as an example for women everywhere that age is just a number and that beauty is only skin deep because true beauty shines brightly from within. The multi-faceted entrepreneur contributes her fountain of youth to surrounding herself with an amazing team, having a supportive husband, and great sex!
With several business ventures under her belt, including Macbeth Collection, Margaret Josephs, and Candie Couture, she prides herself on building a family legacy while creating a lane all her own. NEW YOU caught up with the RHONJ star to discuss her wellness routine, what brings her the greatest joy, the challenges of menopause, and the decision to seek hormone replacement therapy, plus much more!
Photography By: Fadil Berisha
Styling By: Blair Berisha
NEW YOU: When you first signed on to be a part of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, were you worried about how the details of your private life would be thrust into the national spotlight?
Margaret Josephs: Well, of course! With Housewives [RHONJ], there are never any secrets. I was slightly concerned, but my life has always been an open book. I had so many great stories to share that are women empowering, and women carry a lot of shame and don’t always feel comfortable telling their stories. I felt I gave a voice to women that didn’t have a voice.
NY: Do you think there are any misconceptions viewers get wrong about you?
MJ: I feel there are many misconceptions because I’m brutally honest. People believe I’m much tougher than I am, and they don’t get to see certain parts of my life, such as me being a mom and very nurturing. Though they are much older, I keep my children out of the spotlight.
NY: Have you always been comfortable in your own skin?
MJ: I have always been comfortable in my own skin because I was raised by a single mom who was also always comfortable in her own skin. My mom always walked to the beat of her own drum. It wasn’t very common to be a single mom in the 70s but growing up that way; I never knew it was very different. My mother was also not a dream squasher. She always empowered everything I did; whatever crazy harebrained idea I had, she always said, “You could do it.” I saw her be a real hustler and work very hard. That made the difference and gave me the confidence to be whoever I wanted to be.
NY: How do you personally find balance in your life when you sometimes don’t have the option to press pause?
MJ: Sometimes I’m on 24 hours running around like crazy to unwind, so I do two things to find balance. I always take a long walk. I’m always very concerned about how many steps I’m getting in because that helps clear me mentally. I don’t care if it’s two degrees or 100 degrees outside. I have to get out of the house and be one with nature.
The other thing is to shut my phone off. Don’t take any calls, don’t go on social media and sit with my husband, eat Chinese food in front of the TV on our sofa, and binge watch any show we want. It’s taking those little bits of time just for yourself and disconnecting from the rest of the world. That’s what I really make a conscious effort to do because there’s so much noise when you’re busy working, designing, and filming that you have to have self-care for yourself. The simple things are so important.
NY: Aside from the external habits to help keep yourself looking good, what are some internal personal practices that help you look and feel good from the inside out?
MJ: I say a little prayer every night before bed. To take care of my mental health, I do a gratitude checklist of what I’m thankful for because life is complicated, and you can get down very quickly if things don’t go right. I’m always so grateful for the people in my life. I have such an amazing team of women that I work with. I’m so blessed because I could not be anything without my team. And, of course, I also go to therapy, which is very important.
NY: NEW YOU is all about health and wellness, so can you tell us your health and wellness routine?
MJ: I am very concerned with health and wellness, and I am constantly taking care of myself. I think that was instilled in me as a young child. I’ve given up eating a lot of dairy. I exercise, take long walks and go on the Peloton. When you become a woman of a certain age, you have to do other things. I take Omega XL, which has really changed everything!
Also, what has truly improved my life is hormone replacement. Many women for years weren’t doing hormone replacement, and they were fearful of cancer. However, after going through menopause, just the beginning of it, within the first two months of having hot flashes, brain fog, moodiness, and several other symptoms, I said, “This is not for me.”
There’s no reason women have to suffer. I immediately went and did my research and got hormone pellets, which has taken care of me. I felt so much better!
NY: Is there any advice you can give to women who have not yet experienced menopause that you wish you would have known?
MJ: Yes, don’t feel bad. Every woman has to go through it, but you don’t have to suffer. There are options for you. We as women always think you have to suffer and that there are no options. Other things that people are too shameful or embarrassed to discuss also happen to you. But hormone replacement is not a bad word. There are things we can do to improve our quality of life. There are options for us, and it’s just about exploring what’s right for you to feel better. If you’re not good for yourself, you’re not good for anybody else.
