Highest-paid reality TV stars

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Highest-paid reality TV stars

Highest-paid reality TV stars

"The Hollywood Reporter" recently released a list of some of the highest-paid reality TV stars. At the top of the list? Bethenny Frankel, previously of "Real Housewives of New York" and now her own show, "Bethenny Ever After." She's written two bestselling nutrition books, secured several endorsement deals and sold her Skinnygirl Margarita line for a reported $120 million. Happily ever after, indeed.

For lessons in how to turn 15 minutes of fame into at least 30, look no further than Audrina Patridge. The former "The Hills" star raked in an estimated $3.5 million last year, in part from endorsement deals with Carl's Jr. and Bongo Jeans and recently signed on to do a VH1 reality show.

Like fellow "The Hills" cast member Audrina Patridge, Lauren Conrad has managed her post-MTV career well -- her clothing line for Kohl's, three books and endorsements helped her earn a reported $5 million last year.

Former Playboy Playmate and Girl Next Door Kendra Wilkinson wasn't content to fade into the background after breaking up with Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. She earned an estimated $2 million last year from various deals, including her eponymous E! show and workout DVDs. She's also appearing on this season of "Dancing With the Stars."

There's no firm estimate on how much "Jersey Shore's" Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi took in last year, but if reports that she receives $20,000 to walk an event's red carpet or that she got $32,000 to speak at Rutgers University are true, you can bet she'll never have problems affording family-sized cans of hairspray or leopard-print spandex skirts.

While Snooki was clearly the biggest female breakout star spawned by "Jersey Shore," Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino isn't doing too bad for himself -- he made an estimated $5 million last year from books, a nutritional supplement and appearances. No word on how much his abs earned.

The Kardashian sisters (from left) Kourtney, Khloe and Kim might take some ribbing on shows like "Saturday Night Live," but they're laughing all the way to the bank -- the family raked in $65 million last year, with Kim alone making at least $100,000 every time she shows up at an event.

Christian Siriano -- the pint-sized winner of the fourth season of "Project Runway" -- ingratiated himself into the public consciousness with his catchphrases ("Fierece!" being the most popular). He's come a long way since then, designing a line of shoes and bags for Payless and a makeup line for Victoria's Secret. He made more than $1 million last year.

Bill Rancic parlayed his winning stint on the first season of "The Apprentice" -- yep, the season of Omarosa -- into a successful career in media and business, with two books and a production company to his company to his name. He also picked up a wife in the process -- E! host Giuliana Rancic.

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"The Hollywood Reporter" recently released a list of some of the highest-paid reality TV stars. At the top of the list? Bethenny Frankel, previously of "Real Housewives of New York" and now her own show, "Bethenny Ever After." She's written two bestselling nutrition books, secured several endorsement deals and sold her Skinnygirl Margarita line for a reported $120 million. Happily ever after, indeed.

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