Marysol Patton, known for her vibrant presence on The Real Housewives of Miami (RHOM), grew up surrounded by a rich blend of cultural influences and family love. Raised by her Cuban mother, Elsa Patton, who became a fan favorite on the show, and her Irish father, Don, Marysol was immersed in a unique fusion of traditions, humor, and values. She also has a brother named Thomas, with whom she shared her childhood and family memories. From an early age, Marysol was drawn to the water—whether it was the shimmering ocean or the crystal-clear pools of South Florida, water became an essential part of her world and a soothing backdrop to her vibrant upbringing.
Her father, Don Patton, was no ordinary dad. As a yacht builder, his career gave the family an adventurous edge. Marysol often accompanied her father on work trips around the globe, visiting exotic places and meeting interesting people as he crafted luxury vessels for high-end clients. These experiences shaped Marysol’s cosmopolitan perspective and her ease in social settings, something that later served her well in her career and in front of the Bravo cameras. Being exposed to the elite yachting world gave her a natural flair for elegance, class, and how to move gracefully in influential circles. While most kids were heading to summer camps, Marysol was boarding yachts in Europe or mingling with international clients, developing a taste for the finer things in life without ever losing her grounded sense of self.
Marysol pursued higher education at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, an institution that has served as an academic home to more than one RHOM alum. In fact, her close friend and castmate, Alexia Nepola, also graduated from there, though a few years earlier. Marysol earned her degree in 1997, while Alexia graduated in 1990. Their shared alma mater helped forge a bond between them that goes beyond the cameras. Despite their very different personalities, they have formed one of the most enduring friendships on the show, blending loyalty, laughter, and the occasional dramatic moment, as expected on reality television.
Professionally, Marysol carved out her niche in Miami’s competitive business landscape. She founded and operates the Patton Group, a high-end public relations and events agency that has become a powerhouse in the industry. Through her firm, Marysol has collaborated with some of the most iconic luxury brands in the world, including Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Valentino, Carolina Herrera, and Harry Winston. Her keen eye for detail and innate understanding of image management have made her a sought-after expert in crafting exclusive events and luxury brand experiences. Her ability to stay calm under pressure, multitask with elegance, and create memorable experiences for clients stems from both her upbringing and her extensive industry experience.
Her reputation in Miami’s elite social scene isn’t just based on her business acumen but also on her signature style and personality. Marysol is effortlessly chic, known for her bold fashion choices and her ability to embrace both classic glamour and playful eccentricity. She often shares the spotlight with her bestie Alexia, and together they launched their own podcast, Ay Por Favor. The podcast captures their humor, perspectives, and opinions, offering fans another way to connect with the duo outside of RHOM. Through candid conversations and laugh-out-loud storytelling, they dive into everything from personal anecdotes to pop culture, all with a flair that only Miami housewives could pull off.
Adding to her list of ventures, Marysol recently entered the beverage industry. In early 2024, she launched her ready-to-drink cocktail brand named Cockies. The brand embodies her fun-loving spirit and her eye for what’s trendy in social settings. Aimed at those who love a good drink without the fuss of mixing, Cockies is Marysol’s way of bringing her hospitality expertise directly into the hands of her fans and fellow party enthusiasts. It’s a natural evolution for someone who has spent years crafting events and curating experiences. With Cockies, she is bottling the joy, laughter, and flavor that she’s known for.
But no story about Marysol would be complete without remembering her late mother, Elsa Patton, affectionately known as Mama Elsa. Elsa was much more than a recurring character on RHOM—she became an icon in her own right. With her bold opinions, spiritual insights, and unforgettable style, Mama Elsa captivated fans from the moment she appeared on screen. She was loved not just for her humor, but for her wisdom and ability to embrace life fully, no matter the circumstances. A leopard print aficionado and a believer in mysticism, Elsa brought a flair of old-school glamour and deep emotional intelligence to every scene she was in. Her fear of flying famously almost kept her from appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen back in 2011. However, Andy, recognizing how much fans adored her, sent two staffers all the way to Miami just to drive Elsa and Marysol to New York. Ever the diva, Elsa joked to Andy that she expected to be greeted with flowers for enduring what she called “this gondola on wheels.”
The bond between Marysol and Elsa was unmistakably strong. Their mother-daughter dynamic added a heartfelt layer to RHOM, and they shared countless memorable moments, including showing up in fabulous matching hats and outfits. Together, they were the epitome of style, sass, and sincerity. They were more than just reality TV characters—they were reflections of each other’s hearts. Tragically, Mama Elsa passed away over Mother’s Day weekend in May 2019. Her death left a huge void not only in Marysol’s life but in the hearts of Bravo fans everywhere. Elsa’s passing brought together several women from RHOM, including Alexia Nepola, Lisa Hochstein, and Adriana De Moura, who gathered to mourn and celebrate her incredible life. Marysol gave a heartfelt eulogy at her mother’s service and shared an emotional message on Instagram, calling Elsa “an angel watching over all of us now.” That message touched many fans who had come to see Elsa as their own spiritual guide through the ups and downs of life.
Life, however, has a way of continuing to unfold in both painful and joyful ways. When Marysol returned to RHOM for Season 4, she did so as a newlywed. She had married Steve McNamara in April 2021, a man she believes her late parents played a spiritual role in bringing into her life. Reflecting on her relationship, Marysol shared in an interview with Bravo Insider that she feels an overwhelming sense of destiny in their union. “Every day, I’m like, ‘Man, Mom, Dad, you nailed it. You guys nailed it,’” she said. “I would, probably, have never picked him, but there was a greater force at work. I know that I’m with the right person. He’s very kind and good to me. He knows how to be a husband.” Her words reveal the depth of her belief that love, when it’s real, is not just about compatibility—it’s about divine timing and unseen forces gently guiding our lives in the right direction.
Marysol and Steve’s relationship has become a steady, grounding force in her world. After the glitz, loss, fame, and high-pressure environments she’s navigated, finding someone who brings peace to her life has been one of her greatest blessings. She often shares glimpses of their life together, showing that even amid a world of flashing lights and fashion runways, real love is simple, warm, and deeply comforting. Their marriage is built not on the spectacle of the reality TV world, but on mutual respect, shared humor, and an understanding of what really matters when the cameras stop rolling.
Throughout her journey, Marysol Patton has proven herself to be far more than a Real Housewife. She is a savvy entrepreneur, a loyal friend, a devoted daughter, and a woman who wears her heart unapologetically on her sleeve. Her story is one of glamour and grit, of laughter and loss, of growth and gratitude. Whether she’s hosting an event for luxury brands, recording a podcast with her best friend, or honoring her mother’s legacy, Marysol does it all with a blend of Miami sparkle and deeply rooted love. And as her journey continues, fans can expect more memorable moments, heartfelt reflections, and maybe even a few more fabulous hats.
