Lystra Adams Net Worth: From Real Housewives Star to Business Mogul

Lystra Adams has built an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million . She stands out as a notable personality from The Real Housewives franchise. The Guyanese-born reality star, born on March 23, 1977 , has accumulated her wealth through multiple business ventures and TV appearances.

Her financial experience, especially with her net worth in 2022 and 2023, shows how her business decisions shaped her success. She became part of The Real Housewives of Cheshire's 12th season in 2020 , but her path came with its share of challenges. Her bar and restaurants operator Boujee faced difficulties and owed over £3m before entering administration.

The company launched its first venue at Liverpool ONE in late 2020, but operations ceased in August 2022 . These events without doubt affected her overall financial standing.

Let's take a closer look at Lystra Adams' financial status to understand how she created her wealth. We'll examine her reality TV career's effect and learn from her business wins and setbacks.

What Is Lystra Adams’ Net Worth Today?

Lystra Adams' net worth hovers around $3 million in 2023, though different sources cite varying amounts. The reality TV star built her wealth through TV appearances, modeling work, and several business projects.

Current estimates and financial sources

TV work remains Adams' biggest money maker, especially her role on The Real Housewives of Cheshire since 2020. As a main cast member, she likely earns between £100,000 and £250,000 each season. These numbers match what other Housewives stars make on Bravo networks worldwide.

Adams has created multiple income streams that boost her financial portfolio:

• Modeling career: She made good money as a model before TV fame, working as a Naomi Campbell impersonator which gave her a strong financial start
• Business ventures: The Boujee restaurant chain stands out as her major business, though recent financial troubles have impacted her wealth
• Social media influence: Her growing social media presence since joining TV lets her earn from sponsored posts and endorsements
• Personal appearances: She makes extra money from celebrity appearances at events and venues

Her financial trip hasn't been smooth sailing. The Boujee restaurant business faced major money problems. The company owed over £3 million before administration, and its original Liverpool ONE location shut down in August 2022 after running less than two years.

How her net worth compares to other Housewives stars

Adams sits in the middle wealth range among The Real Housewives stars. Her $3 million net worth impresses many but stays below the richest Housewives in the global franchise.

To name just one example, see these franchise powerhouses:

• Lisa Vanderpump (Beverly Hills): About $90 million
• Kandi Burruss (Atlanta): Close to $30 million
• Bethenny Frankel (New York): Around $80 million

Notwithstanding that, Adams holds her own against many Cheshire castmates. UK franchise stars typically own between £1 million to £10 million, putting her right in this range.

Business staying power sets Adams apart from richer castmates. Many wealthy Housewives built big businesses before their TV debut or utilized their TV fame to launch lasting ventures. Adams' newer TV career and Boujee restaurants' troubles affect her ability to reach those higher numbers.

On top of that, her wealth reflects UK market realities, where reality TV pays less than American versions. The UK hospitality industry's challenges after COVID-19 created extra hurdles for her business compared to American stars working under different market conditions.

From Guyana to Glamor: Her Early Life and Career Start

Lystra Adams' experience from modest roots to reality TV fame started well before she built her current net worth. She was born on March 23, 1977, in Guyana, South America. Her early life shaped the business sense that would help her build a million-dollar empire.

Moving to the UK and early struggles

Lystra took a bold step to move to the UK in 1997 after what she called a "holiday romance". She was just 20 years old. She settled in Halifax, Yorkshire and soon faced the reality of adjusting to a new culture and way of life.

Life wasn't easy for young Lystra. After her parents split up, she lived in the villages of Uitvlugt and Den Amstel on the West Bank of Demerara in Guyana. She later moved to Montserrat to stay with her aunt before making her way to England.

School brought many challenges for Lystra. Her thick glasses made her a target for bullies who picked on her looks. The teasing about her height and appearance became so bad that panic attacks hit her before class. She later said, "The name calling and snide whispering was so vicious that the young Lystra used to suffer panic attacks before going to class".

Modeling and Naomi Campbell impersonation

A surprising change came soon after she arrived in the UK. People on the streets of Halifax kept telling her she looked just like supermodel Naomi Campbell. This was far from the glamorous runways of Paris or Milan.

The attention puzzled her at first. "When all these people stared at me I thought there was something wrong with me!". Lystra had never heard of Naomi Campbell back then, having just arrived from Montserrat. She remembered, "I had no clue until one day, about a year after I'd arrived, this woman came up to me and told me I looked like Naomi Campbell. I just said 'Who?'".

After learning about Campbell, she reached out to several lookalike agencies. They all signed her right away. She joined Model Bank, a Birmingham-based modeling agency. This kicked off a 15-year career as a Naomi Campbell impersonator. Her work meant arriving at events in stretch limos, walking red carpets, and having bodyguards who took their job so seriously they followed her into restrooms.

First steps into business

Lystra showed her business smarts beyond modeling. People knew her as "not just a model, but a business-minded individual." She grew her wealth through property investments. These smart moves built the foundation for her future business empire.

Her eye for opportunities led her to restaurant investments. She put money into 202 Kitchen in Manchester before starting her well-known Boujee Restaurant venture. This move highlighted her growing interest in hospitality, which became a big part of her business identity.

Lystra's determination never wavered through these early career stages. She changed from a "naive girl from South America" into a confident businesswoman with multiple income streams. Her success in modeling, property investments, and early business ventures created the stepping stone to reality television stardom.

The Real Housewives Effect on Her Wealth

The Real Housewives of Cheshire changed Lystra Adams' life completely. Her career path and financial future took a new turn after she joined the show. She started with a few guest appearances before becoming a full-time 'Housewife' in the twelfth series in 2020. This decision would change her public image and create new income streams.

How RHOCheshire changed her public image

Lystra was just a model before RHOCheshire, but the reality show made her a household name. The 44-year-old star caught everyone's attention when she joined the cast. She stood out in every new episode. As she said herself, "I like bright colors and clothes that fit me very well.

I'm quite curvy so I'm curvylicious and very glamorous and quite out there. There's always got to be a wow factor with me.".

The show highlighted her glamorous lifestyle and bold character. She proved this in a memorable episode from the 12th series. She and castmate Tanya did a confidence-boosting photoshoot wearing only body paint and a thong. This moment showed everyone her confident and unapologetic nature.

TV income and brand collaborations

Lystra's finances grew after she became a main cast member. She appeared in all three of the show's specials during her seven seasons. She likely earned the standard reality TV salary for each appearance.

The show helped launch several business ventures:

• Boujee restaurant chain – shown right from her first scenes
• Royal Guyana Flavors – her seasoning line featured in latest episodes
• Independent travel agency – a new business shown on the program

She also built partnerships with brands featured on the show. Photos captured her at KP Esthetics' new clinic opening with co-star Seema Malhotra. The show helped her network with business owners and find new partners.

Fanbase and social media monetization

Lystra's social media following grew with her TV fame. This bigger platform let her make money from her online presence. Her Instagram posts get lots of comments and likes, making it perfect for sponsored content and endorsements.

Her RHOCheshire fame created more opportunities and visibility. She took this further by joining OnlyFans. She posted a revealing video on Instagram with the caption: "I've officially joined the OnlyFans family! Subscribe and check out my content." This new income stream came directly from her reality TV success.

TV appearances, business ventures, brand deals, and social media have turned Lystra from an unknown model into a successful personality with multiple income sources. Her smart choice to join The Real Housewives franchise made it all possible.

Boujee Restaurant: A Business Dream Turned Cautionary Tale

Lystra Adams' bold pink-themed restaurant empire became a major part of her financial journey that ended up costing her dearly when the business failed in 2022. Boujee's rise and fall shows how quickly fortunes shift in the unpredictable hospitality sector.

How Boujee started and expanded

The Boujee brand came to life in September 2020 with Lystra Adams stepping in as one of three company directors. She owned a 20% share as both an investor and the brand's face. Her vision was distinctive—an all-pink, Instagram-friendly venue that featured stunning photo spots including a pink convertible car, a giant candy area, and themed spaces like "Alice in Boujeeland".

Boujee's first location opened at Kenyon's Steps in Liverpool ONE in December 2020. The venue stood out with its 9,600 sq ft space across two floors and room for 250 guests. The brand grew to Manchester's Bridge Street in May 2021, and later added a Chester spot on Pepper Street in November 2021. Lystra's vision aimed to create Liverpool's "most instagrammable venue".

Financial issues and administration

Signs of trouble emerged within months of opening. The Liverpool location struggled to meet expected sales throughout late 2021 and early 2022.

Several problems quickly surfaced:

• Staff at Liverpool got only partial wages, some as low as 40% of their due amount
• The company fell behind on rent and missed VAT and PAYE payments to HMRC
• Rising food and supplier costs created severe cash flow problems
• Staff walkouts led to scheduling chaos and long hours for remaining team members

The situation worsened by July 2022. The Liverpool venue shut down and all staff lost their jobs. Lystra publicly stepped away from the business in September 2022, pointing to "mistakes made along the way" and "lessons not learnt". The Manchester location closed a month later. Boujee's administration revealed debts over £3 million, with £802,783 owed to HMRC.

Lessons from the Boujee collapse

Boujee's failure highlights key warnings about restaurant management. Cash flow problems became the biggest red flag. The pandemic timing proved tough since "the majority of the Covid-specific support packages were unavailable to the company due to the infancy of the business".

The restaurant faced common industry challenges: poor financial tracking, higher labor costs, and expensive food costs. Lystra reflected after her exit: "In the last eight months things have taken a bumpy turn. I had confidence that the board of directors could turn it around".

The collapse hit Lystra Adams' net worth hard. Her 20% stake limited financial losses, but her reputation took a bigger hit. She spoke about facing "abuse in all forms for being the face of the companies involved as well as my daughter". Yet, her story reflects typical restaurant industry odds where 30% of ventures fail.

Lystra’s Life Beyond the Screen

Lystra Adams' personal life adds depth to her public image and wealth beyond her TV fame and business success. She lives a luxurious life that matches her reality star status while juggling her family duties and work.

Her daughter Jasmine and family life

Adams' role as a mother shapes who she is, and her daughter Jasmine stands at the center of her world. Jasmine has taken after her mother and works as a model. She also appears on The Real Housewives of Cheshire from time to time.

Their bond runs deep – unlike many celebrity parent-child relationships. The mother-daughter duo often show up at events together, and Jasmine backs her mother's business projects with enthusiasm.

Fashion, beauty, and personal branding

Adams has built her personal brand through her unique style that features bold colors and body-hugging outfits. Her fashion picks often include luxury designer pieces and eye-catching accessories that have become her trademark.

She has grown her brand influence through social media posts that show off her lifestyle and beauty routines. This has helped her attract partnerships with brands of all types.

Her current partner and lifestyle

RHOCheshire sometimes features Adams' love life, though she keeps most of her relationships private. Her wealthy lifestyle shows in her choice of luxury cars, high-end vacations, and premium property investments.

These choices reflect and support her millionaire status. The Boujee setback hasn't changed things – Adams still represents the wealthy lifestyle that defines her brand.

Conclusion

Lystra Adams' wealth story shows how reality TV stardom can change someone's financial destiny and bring new hurdles along the way. Her estimated wealth sits between $1-5 million, and her rise from a Guyanese immigrant to Britain's TV personality stands out whatever the actual numbers might be.

Her path offers rich lessons in building wealth. She made smart moves by spreading her interests beyond modeling into property deals before her TV break. She also knew how to turn her personal brand into money across different platforms, showing today's celebrities a blueprint for success beyond their main jobs.

The closure of her Boujee restaurant tells a different story. Even with her business smarts, she learned the hard way that all but one of these restaurants make it, especially in tough economic times. Her bounce-back proved why limiting risk matters – owning just 20% meant the setback didn't wreck her finances completely.

The Real Housewives platform without doubt sped up Adams' climb to wealth through better visibility, brand deals, and social media income. She hasn't reached the $30-90 million mark like some American Housewives stars yet. This gap reflects her recent start and UK TV's different market dynamics.

Her business world has seen ups and downs, but Adams keeps building her empire with fresh ventures like seasoning products and a travel company. She sticks to her bold, glamorous, and unapologetic style, which hints at more income streams ahead despite past bumps.

Adams' rise from a bullied schoolgirl in Guyana to a self-made British millionaire proves how drive, flexibility, and smart brand-building can create amazing wealth against tough odds. Her story reminds us that net worth isn't just about money – it's the sum of life choices and business decisions made along the way.

FAQs

Q1. What is Lystra Adams' current estimated net worth?

Lystra Adams' net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, with some sources placing it around $3 million as of 2023. Her wealth comes from various sources including her television career, modeling, business ventures, and social media influence.

Q2. How did Lystra Adams start her career?

Lystra Adams began her career as a model after moving to the UK from Guyana at age 20. She gained recognition as a Naomi Campbell impersonator, which led to a 15-year modeling career. She later ventured into property investments and the restaurant business before joining The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

Q3. What impact did The Real Housewives of Cheshire have on Lystra Adams' career?

Joining The Real Housewives of Cheshire in 2020 significantly boosted Lystra Adams' public profile and opened up new income streams. It provided her with a television salary, increased her social media following, and created opportunities for brand collaborations and business ventures.

Q4. What happened to Lystra Adams' restaurant business, Boujee?

Lystra Adams' pink-themed restaurant chain, Boujee, faced financial difficulties and ultimately collapsed in 2022. The business owed over £3 million to creditors when it entered administration, with its Liverpool location closing in August 2022 after less than two years of operation.

Q5. How does Lystra Adams balance her professional and personal life?

Lystra Adams maintains a balance between her professional endeavors and personal life. She is a mother to her daughter Jasmine, who has followed in her footsteps in modeling. Adams continues to focus on her personal brand through fashion and beauty, while also pursuing new business ventures such as a seasoning line and travel agency.