Deshawn Snow

DeShawn Snow was born on March 17, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Wayne Memorial High School and graduated in 1991. She then attended Michigan State University and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing in 1995.

DeShawn married her college sweetheart and former NBA Basketball player, Eric Snow, in 1995. He had previously played with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers. Together the couple has three sons: Eric Javon Snow, Jarren Christopher Snow, and Darius Michael Snow. The couple shared an elaborate 10 year anniversary marriage vow renewal in Atlanta, Georgia. Eric said that he spent over a year planning it.

After 12 years of marriage, Eric filed for divorce at Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple divorced immediately following The Real Housewives of Atlanta's first season and Eric also left football due to a career-ending injury during the same period. He since has accepted a position as a Studio Analyst with NBA TV and hosts a live weekday show. 

DeShawn starred on the premiere season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) in 2008. She originally starred alongside NeNe Leakes, Sheree Whitfield, Lisa Wu, and Kim Zolciak. When reflecting upon the experience, she emphasized the things that people may have missed. "There was so much footage during the filming that you only got to see a snapshot into our lives-- you did not get to see everything", she clarified to Bravo's blog readers. "I did a lot with my boys, I did a lot with my foundation girls, and NeNe and I visited and ministered to women in the domestic violence shelter for her non-profit Twisted Hearts."

Deshawn left the series after the first season, devastating many fans. Producers credited her for being a "hard-working businesswoman with a strong character", but ultimately decided to replace her with Kandi Burruss. When asked how she felt about her departure, DeShawn claimed she was "too human for a circus show." 

She later admitted that leaving the show was a blessing in disguise. "Since then, I've had a lot of drama in my life, but I'm thankful that the cameras weren't there!" she said in 2012 to AttaGirl. Her 2010 divorce was quite brutal, and public, and Deshawn filtered her pain into weight loss. "I felt everything was out of my control", she told UsMagazine.com. "I had no control over anything that was happening in my life and the weight and working out was something I could control." She also had help from her good friend and personal trainer, Trey Crump. "[When] Trey heard [of my divorce], he texted me and was like 'Meet me at the gym at 6.a.m.' He didn't ask me any questions, we just worked out. That was his way of getting me out of bed and then once I started, I just got consistent." "I supplement with protein shakes and I try to stay away from carbs. Sometimes I'll have seafood or vegetables. Basically it's portion size, a maintenance thing." Deshawn lost an astonishing 30 lbs. 

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She continues to be very active in her charity, The DeShawn Snow Foundation, that she created in 2006 with hopes of increasing young women's self-esteem. The website states: "Since 2006, [the] DeShawn Snow Foundation has been giving teenage girls with low self-esteem the tools to overcome academic, social and emotional difficulties so that they can reach their full potential. We truly believe that every girl must possess a healthy dose of self-love, genuine self-acceptance, and the power to forgive to become the woman that she is meant to be." The program offers two programs, the DSF Angels and the DSF Empowerment Camp for Girls. "Both are designed as a personal growth and healthy living program that works with girls to enhance their goal setting, communication, networking, and leadership skills as a proactive measure to substance abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, and other negative behaviors." 

In 2013 Deshawn penned the first book in her series for tween girls, grades three through six, titled Lil Shawnee. The series' official website states: "Lil Shawnee is a classic book series that provides empowering and encouraging messages perfect for tween girls in grades three to six. Nevaeh, Lil Shawnee's spiritual guide, provides a sprinkling of heavenly advice and a 'you can do it' message to overcome negativity and build inner strength." "Regardless of viewers' environment, Shawnee's family will serve as a healthy example of interacting in love,  laughter, and respect." "Nevaeh represents something greater than knowlegde; she represents what we all have within us-- free choice. We have the choice to choose the responsible way to act, the power to do what is right, and the ultimate choice of love. It doesn't matter how you were raised, what religion you believe in, what culture you are from, we all recognize the commonality of love and respect. It is time we remind our young daughters how to walk in this as well as emphasize the importance of a positive self-image and positive thinking." There are currently three books in the series: The Rumor (and How the Truth Sets You Free), Keeping Up with the Joneses (and How Love is All You Need), and Taking Center Stage (and How to Really Shine from Within). 

DeShawn is also a board member for three other charities. "All of my projects are basically to empower and encourage young women", she told UsMagazine. "The hardest thing in life is to believe that things happen for a reason. You can't be a victim, you have to be a victor--press through it--and know that success is the best revenge."

DeShawn's net worth is estimated around $8 million. Her official business website is located at http://www.deshawnsnow.com which includes her real estate agency, RDJ Realty. Her Twitter, @deshawnsnow, has over 24,500 followers. Her Facebook, @DeShawnSnow, has over 104,000 followers. Her Instagram, @deshawnsnow, has more than 15,000 followers and states she is "Exactly where [she's] supposed to be."

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