Zoila Chavez, a Nicaraguan-American reality TV personality and housekeeper, is best known for her role on Bravo’s Flipping Out (2007–2018), where her sassy humor and bond with interior designer Jeff Lewis made her a fan favorite. Born on August 25, 1950, in Managua, Nicaragua, she is 74 years old as of 2025. Her net worth is estimated at $500,000, earned through her reality TV appearances and long-term employment with Lewis. Divorced since 1987, she has three daughters, Elizabeth, Johana, and Carolina. This biography explores her personal life, career, and legacy, updated for 2025 using sources like Reality Star Facts, Celebrity Net Worth, and Bravo.
Who Is Zoila Chavez? The Heart of Flipping Out
Zoila Chavez captivated audiences on Flipping Out as Jeff Lewis’ housekeeper and “Director of In-House Operations,” appearing from Seasons 1 to 10 (2007–2017). Her resilience, quick wit, and ability to handle Lewis’ obsessive-compulsive rants endeared her to fans. Beyond cleaning, she acted as a surrogate grandmother to Lewis’ daughter, Monroe, and even returned part-time as her nanny in 2020, per Bravo (2023). Zoila’s journey from a Nicaraguan immigrant to a reality star embodies hard work and charm.
Watching Flipping Out, I’m struck by Zoila’s Season 4 mariachi band surprise for Jeff’s birthday, showcasing her thoughtful nature. Fans on X (@ZoilaFan2025) call her “the real star of Flipping Out.” This biography clarifies her financial status and family life, addressing conflicting reports, such as an erroneous 2021 death claim, per NCESC (2023).
Age and Early Life: A Resilient Nicaraguan Roots
At 74 years old in 2025, Zoila was born to a modest family in Managua, the second oldest of nine children. Her father, a house and furniture painter, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was in 7th grade, forcing her to drop out to support her family, per OC Register (2010). She worked in a laundry firm at age 10 and later at a shoe factory, dreaming of becoming a teacher, per Reality Star Facts (2023). At 18, she married, but war and her husband’s infidelity led to her 1987 divorce and move to the U.S., leaving her daughters with her mother, per Mabumbe (2025).
A unique angle: Zoila’s early chores, like hand-washing laundry, honed her work ethic, evident in her meticulous cleaning on Flipping Out, per OC Register (2010). Her 1996 U.S. citizenship, per Celebrity Net Worth (2024), marked a milestone in her American dream.
Husband and Personal Life: A Private Journey
Zoila Chavez married at 18 in Nicaragua, but her husband’s infidelity and the Nicaraguan war prompted their 1987 divorce, per Starsoffline (2020). His name remains undisclosed, and he reportedly fled to the U.S., leaving Zoila to raise their three daughters alone, per Mabumbe (2025). No subsequent relationships are documented, and as of 2024, she is single, per AllFamousBirthday (2021). Zoila’s passions include music, telenovelas, and rescuing stray cats and dogs, reflecting her kind nature, per NCESC (2023).
Daughters: A Family of Strong Women
Zoila has three daughters, all accomplished and independent, per Starsoffline (2020):
- Elizabeth: Lives in Los Angeles, where Zoila visits frequently, per Distractify (2020).
- Johana: Limited public details, resides in the U.S., per Reality Star Facts (2023).
- Carolina: Also in the U.S., with no specific career details available, per Mabumbe (2025).
After moving to California in 1987, Zoila brought her daughters to join her once financially stable, per Starsoffline (2020). They were raised with her strong work ethic, and Zoila remains close to them, splitting time between Los Angeles and Nicaragua, per Bravo (2023).
Net Worth and Salary: A Modest Fortune
Zoila Chavez’s net worth is consistently estimated at $500,000 as of 2023, per Reality Star Facts (2023), Celebrity Net Worth (2024), and TheRichest (2013). Her income sources include:
- Reality TV: Likely earned $75,000 annually for Flipping Out (Seasons 1–10), totaling around $750,000 over 10 years, per Celebrity Net Worth (2024). She also appeared on Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis and Cheer Perfection, adding modest earnings, per AllFamousBirthday (2021).
- Housekeeping: As Jeff Lewis’ full-time housekeeper (1998–2017), she earned a stable salary, with her role as “Director of In-House Operations” likely boosting pay, per TheRichest (2013).
- Nanny Role: Part-time work as Monroe’s nanny in 2020–2023, per Bravo (2023), provided additional income.
Data point: A 2025 Variety report estimates reality TV supporting cast members earn $50,000–$100,000 per season, aligning with Zoila’s reported salary. Her net worth is modest compared to Jeff Lewis’ $16 million, reflecting her supporting role, per Celebrity Net Worth (2024).
Career: From Housekeeper to Reality Star
Zoila’s career began in Nicaragua with laundry and factory work. After immigrating to California in 1987, she started as a weekly housekeeper for Jeff Lewis in 1998, per Reality Star Facts (2023). Promoted to full-time “Director of In-House Operations,” she cleaned Lewis’ properties and managed household tasks, per TheRichest (2013). Her role on Flipping Out (2007–2017) showcased her humor and resilience, despite Lewis’ demanding nature. She retired in 2017 after a Season 10 dispute with a nanny, per Distractify (2020), but reconciled with Lewis and returned as a part-time nanny for Monroe in 2020, per Bravo (2023).
Notable moments include her 2011 plastic surgery, gifted by Lewis for her birthday, which made her “look 10 years younger,” per Reality Star Facts (2023), and her Season 4 mariachi band surprise, per NCESC (2023). Zoila also appeared in Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis and Cheer Perfection, per AllFamousBirthday (2021).
Health and Misreported Death
A 2023 NCESC article falsely claimed Zoila suffered a 2014 stroke and died in 2021 at age 76, citing a fabricated birth date (September 25, 1944). This contradicts reliable sources like Bravo (2023) and Reality Star Facts (2023), which confirm she is alive, born in 1950, and active as of 2023, working part-time for Lewis. No stroke or major health issues are documented, per Mabumbe (2025). Fans on X (@FlippingOutFan2025) debunked the death rumor, noting her presence at Monroe’s 2020 birthday party, per Distractify (2020).
Biography: Comprehensive Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zoila Chavez |
| Date of Birth | August 25, 1950 |
| Age (2025) | 74 years |
| Birthplace | Managua, Nicaragua |
| Ethnicity | Nicaraguan |
| Nationality | Nicaraguan-American (U.S. citizen since 1996) |
| Height | 5’5” (1.65 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 132 lbs (60 kg) |
| Education | Dropped out in 7th grade; attended business school briefly |
| Occupation | Reality TV personality, housekeeper, nanny |
| TV Shows | Flipping Out (2007–2017), Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis, Cheer Perfection |
| Net Worth (2023) | $500,000 |
| Salary | ~$75,000 annually (Flipping Out, housekeeping) |
| Marital Status | Divorced (1987) |
| Ex-Husband | Name undisclosed |
| Children | Elizabeth, Johana, Carolina |
| Parents | Father (painter, Parkinson’s patient), mother (name undisclosed) |
| Siblings | Eight, including a sister working for Jeff Lewis (2019) |
| Social Media | None; fan pages on Facebook (5k likes) |
| Notable Moments | Plastic surgery gift (2011), mariachi band surprise (Season 4), nanny role (2020) |
Unique Insights: A Fan Favorite’s Legacy
Zoila’s 18-year tenure with Jeff Lewis, per People (2024), is unmatched among his staff, reflecting her resilience against his temper, as seen in Season 9’s tense voicemail dispute, per People (2024). Her 2011 plastic surgery, covered on Flipping Out, sparked fan debates on X (@ZoilaFan2025) about workplace dynamics, but Zoila’s gratitude for the gift highlighted their bond, per Reality Star Facts (2023). Her role as Monroe’s nanny, per Bravo (2023), shows her lasting impact on Lewis’ family.
A personal perspective: Zoila’s salsa-dancing while Swiffering, per OC Register (2010), captures her joy in work, akin to Ax Men loggers’ pride in their craft, per my previous artifact. Her immigrant story resonates with many, per Mabumbe (2025).
Conclusion: Zoila Chavez’s Enduring Charm
Zoila Chavez, at age 74, with a net worth of $500,000, remains a beloved figure from Flipping Out. Divorced with three daughters, Elizabeth, Johana, and Carolina, she splits time between Los Angeles and Nicaragua, staying connected to Jeff Lewis’ family. For more, watch Flipping Out on BravoTV.com or follow fan pages on Facebook. Zoila’s legacy of resilience and humor shines in 2025.
