'RHOSLC' Star Monica Garcia and Ex-Husband Divorced Over Alleged Domestic Violence

In 2023, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City introduced to us a new housewife — and she was more than ready to bring the drama! Monica Garcia made her debut in the hit reality show's fourth season, joining the iconic cast as a "friend of" now full-time housewife Angie Katsanevas.

As someone who is "blunt, opinionated, and never afraid to speak her mind," Monica would have no trouble adjusting to the classic housewife lifestyle. Now, without further ado, keep scrolling to learn more about the Bravo star, including details about her ex-husband, kids, and job.

Monica married Mike Fowler in 2009 in a Mormon church. By 2013, the couple divorced, citing "irreconcilable differences" as their reasoning. However, Monica revealed during her debut on the show that "about four years into my marriage, I found myself in what one might call an entanglement." While the pair wound up getting back together, they filed for divorce a second time in June 2023.

By the end of October 2023, Monica was deemed a single woman, per court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun. Monica was able to keep the $424k home they lived in while married and is reportedly receiving $4,000 per month in alimony and $2,636 in child support. While many assumed Monica's 18-month long affair with her brother-in-law is what led to the couple splitting, she revealed in a lengthly Instagram post shared in January 2024 the actual reason.

"The reason for our divorce was domestic violence," Monica's post reads. It continues, "My ex was arrested a couple of times for domestic violence on me in front of our girls and violations of protective orders. I had hoped to speak about it on the show to help better explain why things are the way they are in my life." Later, The U.S. Sun exposed details from a 2021 police report that indicated Mike had "slapped [Monica] across the face" after an argument had erupted in their home.

Per the report, Monica "was afraid of Michael and what he would do if she disobeyed him." The events led his arrest and after pleading guilty to assault, Mike was "sentenced to 12 months probation and had to pay fines and fees totaling $1,070," per The U.S. Sun.

Monica didn't dive into the intricate details of why she divorced Mike in Season 4 of RHOSLC and won't be getting into in Season 5 as she won't be returning to the show, per People.

As of late, the reality TV is raising her four children all on her own, according to her Bravo biography. Although Monica remains tight-lipped about her kids, they occasionally appear on her Instagram account.

"They have taught me that fear is not an option. Every single thing we do as parents is for our children," she shared via Instagram in September 2023. "That includes finding the perfect princess dresses, doing hair and makeup, and driving them around like a chauffeur to friend parties." All very true!

In her Instagram bio, Monica describes herself as an entrepreneur, noting that she's the founder and creative director of the Brea Baby brand. However, the online shop is no longer available, and the official Breababy Instagram account has not been updated since January 2023.

Yes, you read that right: Monica is no longer a Mormon.

According to Bravo, the Portuguese-Colombian entrepreneur is an "excommunicated ex-Mormon." As seen in a Season 4 teaser trailer below, Monica tells castmate Heather Gay: "I was married in the temple, and then I was excommunicated."

Monica explained in an episode of Season 4 that her excommunication came about because of her affair. According to Mormon Beliefs, excommunication is typically reserved for "the most serious sins," such as murder, child abuse or incest, adultery, polygamy, homosexual activity, apostasy, abortion, teaching false doctrines, or otherwise openly criticizing LDS leaders."

A release date for Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City has yet to be announced but sources speculate it might drop toward the end of 2024.