Who is Thomas Ravenel?
American politician and reality TV star Thomas Jonathan Jackson Ravenel was born in Charleston, South Carolina USA, on 11 August 1962, making Leo his zodiac sign. He’s probably known best for two things: being the son of the late American businessman and Republican politician Arthur Ravenel Jr, and for having starred in the reality show “Southern Charm” from 2014 through 2020. The show was created by Bryan Kestner and Whitney Smith, today stars Shep Rose and Craig Conover, and follows the people living at their centuries-old plantation homes in Charleston; it’s been airing since 2013.
Education and early life
Thomas was raised alongside his five siblings in Charleston, by their father and mother Louise Rodgers; not many details have been shared about Thomas’ siblings and mother, while it’s known that his father served four terms in the US House of Representatives from 1987 through 1995, and that he died aged 95 on 16 January 2023.
Thomas studied at a local high school in Charleston, and was into several activities during his time there, as he enjoyed playing soccer and football with his peers, and also appeared in a couple of school plays. He matriculated in 1981, and then enrolled at the public senior military college The Citadel, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1985.
He eventually continued his education at the University of South Carolina, graduating with a Master’s degree in business administration in 1991.
Thomas’ career
Upon earning his Master’s degree, Thomas founded his own commercial real estate firm Ravenel Development Corporation.
He ran for the US Senate in 2004, after the late American politician Ernest Frederick ‘Fritz’ Hollings retired from politics; Thomas was third in the Republican primary election, and then endorsed American lobbyist and former politician James Warren DeMint, who won the general election. Around the same time, Thomas was ordered to pay close to $20,000 by the Federal Election Commission because he had failed to file his election forms correctly.
In 2006, he ran for South Carolina Treasurer against Democrat Grady Patterson, who had previously served nine terms; Thomas won and served as a treasurer for six months.
Thomas endorsed Ronald Ernest Paul in the 2012 Republican primaries.
He campaigned for US senate in July 2014, but finished third with 3.9 percent of votes.
Thomas sold his Brookland Plantation in 2021.
Drug charges
Thomas was indicted on federal drug charges in June 2007, after he had been caught buying 500g of cocaine from a man in Charleston.
He was then suspended from his duties as a state treasurer by Governor Mark Sanford, and was temporarily replaced by lawyer Ken Wingate; Thomas then chose to enter a rehabilitation program. He was also volunteering with American politician and lawyer Rudolph William Louis Giuliani at that time, and had to resign after he was indicted.
He officially resigned as a treasurer on 24 July 2007, and Republican Converse A. Chellis III was hired in his place. Thomas completed his rehab program, and in September 2007 pleaded guilty to ‘conspiring to buy and distribute less than 100g of cocaine’; he was sentenced to spend 10 months in a federal prison on 4 March 2008.
Other problems with the law
American real estate agent Ashley Perkins claimed in April 2018 that Thomas had sexually assaulted her mother Debbie Holloway Perkins, after the two had met on Tinder in December 2015. Ashley claimed that Thomas held her mother’s arms back, that he put his fingers in her anus and vagina while ‘stucking his penis in her face’. Ashley was not there during the incident, and claimed that Thomas had Debbie sign a non-disclosure agreement for which Debbie received $200,000 as settlement; Ashley also claimed that she wasn’t affected by the agreement, which is why she was free to openly speak about it.
In May 2018, former nanny of Thomas’ children Dawn Ledwell claimed that Thomas had sexually assaulted her in January 2015, after he had returned from a night out with his friends; Dawn claimed that Thomas had shut the bedroom door with him and Dawn inside, and that he then dropped his pants. Ashley was then in contact with Dawn, and soon became suspicious of her statements; Dawn amended her original statements in February 2019, and then disappeared from media.
Thomas pleaded guilty to third-degree assault on Dawn on 11 September 2019, and had to pay a $500 fine; he also settled their civil lawsuit, and had to donate $80,000 to a charity aiming to help sexual abuse victims.
Love life and relationships
Thomas can rarely be heard speaking about his love life in public, but it’s known that he’s dated two women, and has three children.
In the 2010s, Thomas was in a long-term relationship with TV personality and social media star Kathryn Galhoun Dennis, who starred alongside him in the reality show “Southern Charm”; Thomas and Kathryn have a daughter Kensie and a son Saint Julien together. Kensie’s today eight years old, while Saint Julien’s six.
On 29 June 2020, Thomas’ former girlfriend Heather Mascoe gave birth to their son Jonathan; Thomas has stated that he and Heather are today good friends, and are equally involved in raising their son.
He seems to be unattached as of May 2023, hasn’t married and has two children with his former girlfriend Kathryn Galhoun Dennis, as well as a son with former girlfriend Heather Mascoe.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Thomas is followed by close to 20,000 people on Instagram, but has posted only 12 pictures and videos onto the network; most of these show him spending time with his three children.
He’s a huge lover of animals, with horses and dogs being his favorites.
Thomas is still today physically quite active, as he works out at the gym several times a week.
He’s been to a number of US states, mostly because of his job; some of the European countries in which Thomas has vacationed include France, Italy and England.
He’s a fan of famous actor Ryan Reynolds, and some of his favorite movies include “Immortals”, “Woman in Gold” and “The Captive”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Thomas’s age is 60. He has brown hair and eyes, is 5ft 7ins (1.72m) tall and weighs around 155lbs (70kgs).
Thomas’ net worth’s been estimated at over $6 million, as of May 2023.