There’s something about Mary Bonnet. From battling California wildfires and reality TV drama to finding peace, purpose, and a new calling, the ‘Selling Sunset’ star opens up about her life, lessons, and luminous next chapter.

When Selling Sunset’s Mary Bonnet walks into a room, she radiates warmth and confidence. She gives off the kind of energy that comes from hard-earned peace. But that glow didn’t come easy. “I’ve worked really, really hard,” she says humbly. “And I’ve learned things along the way — what to do from people like Jason [Oppenheim], and what not to do.”

Mary Bonnet wears Maison Keti’s “Colourful Amaryllis” black crepe dress with floral embroidery.

It’s that balance of hard work, humility, and her core principles that has turned Mary into a successful business guru. “It’s an honor to be considered that,” she adds. “I always try to have respect for everybody and just have a moral compass in business. I’m glad people see not only my work ethic but my morals and values, too.”

Mary is a guru who built her life on grit and grace. Her rise through luxury real estate wasn’t an overnight success. She’s weathered market crashes, personal loss, and public scrutiny with resilience and compassion. When the California wildfires swept through Los Angeles last year, she didn’t just worry about her own home. She jumped into action.

“We actually flew in the day it started,” she recalls. “We had no idea what was going on. Within days, it just went crazy.” As the flames spread, Mary and her colleagues at the Oppenheim Group found themselves comforting clients who’d lost everything. “It wasn’t a happy moment to find a new house. People were just trying to survive.”

Mary Bonnet wears Maison Keti’s “Black Butterfly” tulle dress with beaded florals and feather accents.

“Even with everything we did, it doesn’t feel like enough, because you want to help everybody. At least we paved the way, and a lot of other agencies followed suit.” What struck her most wasn’t just the devastation; it was how the city responded. “I was so proud of Angelenos,” she says, getting emotional. “Everyone came together, no matter what your status was. The amount of support and giving back… it was beautiful. That’s something I’ll always remember.”

The power of compassion looks a little different in a reality TV world, especially on one of Netflix’s most dramatic shows. But Mary takes her sense of morality seriously. She feels she has a particular responsibility, having been on Selling Sunset since the very first season. “I think the world needs a lot more love and compassion,” she says. “Some of the women need to take advantage of their platform and get out of their own way. We have an opportunity to make a difference, to inspire people.”

She’s candid about moments that challenged her on Selling Sunset — including the explosive reunion. “I actually got up and walked off,” she admits. “I said, ‘I’m not even sitting around this energy.’”

Mary Bonnet exudes effortless glamour in the “Boa Tweed Coat” by LALO Cardigans.

Still, Mary believes in handling things differently. “I tried to have a backbone but also be respectful,” she explains. “You don’t have to tear someone down to express your feelings. I believe in treating everyone kindly and respectfully,” she says. “It costs nothing to be kind.”

Behind the cameras, Mary’s life has been anything but picture-perfect. In 2024, she released her book Selling Sunshine, where she opens up about the darker chapters of her story and how they shaped the woman she is today. “I was a single teenage mom at 16,” she shares. “I grew up poor, went through abusive relationships, went bankrupt, and even survived rape. People don’t know my story, so they don’t always understand why I am the way I am.” That’s why she refuses to judge others. “When people do things, there’s something bigger going on,” she says. “That’s why I always try to lead with compassion.”

Her book is a love letter to resilience. It’s a guide to finding strength in the most broken places. “It really dives into how I made it through crazy situations and came out stronger,” she says. “It’s about learning that you can always choose light over darkness.”

Mary’s compassion deepened after what she describes as a spiritual awakening. Before the latest season of Selling Sunset aired, she started working with a spiritual coach. “I needed to learn tools to cope,” she admits. “I wanted to be able to ground myself and not get upset. Because I believe we’re all flawed, but we’re all beautiful.”

Mary’s sister, who overcame her own obstacles, also worked with the same spiritual coach — and it inspired the Selling Sunset star to think bigger. “We’re actually planning to start speaking publicly together,” she reveals. “We want to help other people find that same healing.”

Mary Bonnet is wearing the “Daisy” pink tulle princess dress by Maison Keti.

That healing also led to another major life change: Mary stopped drinking.

“I didn’t have a problem — nothing bad happened,” she clarifies. “But I realized it wasn’t serving me anymore. What used to help me relax started giving me anxiety. So I stopped.” Now, she says, “I’m the best version of me. I have my mocktail, and I feel proud of myself. I’m grounded and centered in a way I’ve never been.”

Beyond Selling Sunset, Mary is finding balance and joy. Despite living under a global spotlight, Mary insists she’s still the same person in Season 9 that she was in Season 1. “I’m just me,” she says with a smile. Fame may have changed her circumstances, but not her soul. “My friends and clients know I’ve been the same person from day one. It’s easier to get a reservation now,” she jokes, “but other than that, nothing’s changed.”

Social media, though, remains a challenge. “I don’t look at comments anymore,” she admits. “I’m sensitive. My team shows me the good ones, and I ask them not to show me the bad. It’s just not healthy.” Her husband, Romain, is her protector through it all. “He’s always like, ‘They’re not going to talk to my wife like that,’” she says lovingly. “He’s my rock.”

At the moment, Selling Sunset and social media are taking center stage, but Mary has other aspirations: wanderlust and wellness. If there’s one thing that lights her up, it’s travel. “We’re obsessed with traveling,” she says. “It’s so important. It opens your mind and makes you more aware of other cultures and people.”

Mary Bonnet stuns in Maison Keti’s “Colourful Amaryllis” — a hand-embroidered vision of sophistication.

Bali holds a special place in her heart. “Bali is magical,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “Once you get there, everything melts away. The energy is so pure and grounding. The people are kind, the temples are beautiful. It’s heaven.”

That love for travel has sparked new dreams. “My sister and I are thinking about opening a wellness retreat in Bali,” she reveals. “A place where people can recharge — yoga, meditation, connection.”

And yes, fans may one day see her and Romain take their wanderlust on-screen. “We’ve talked about doing a travel show,” she teases. “Something that’s positive, where we can explore new places and share that joy.”

In a world that often rewards chaos, Mary Bonnet remains true to herself. “I just want to inspire others,” she says simply. “There’s always going to be negativity, but I’d rather focus on the good things in life. The world has enough ugliness. We need to lead by example.”

As she looks ahead — to travel, wellness, new beginnings, and whatever comes next — it’s clear that Mary Bonnet’s story isn’t just about selling luxury homes. It’s about selling sunshine — and living it, too.

Published in Gurus Magazine.