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Where are Margaret Josephs' kids now? 'RHONJ' star shares strained relationship with stepchildren

Although Margaret had an affair with her now-husband Joe, she still maintains cordial relationship with ex-husband Jan for their son Spencer

ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY: In the upcoming episode of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey,' Margaret Josephs and Jennifer Aydin continue to spar. But things get heated when the latter brings up the former's rocky personal affairs.

Margaret and Jennifer have been at odds since the beginning of Season 13. In an upcoming episode of 'RHONJ,' the pair will be seen hurling insults at each other. Margaret questions Jennifer's friendship with everyone, and the latter brings up her family ties. Margaret has a history of having strained ties with her ex-husband, stepchildren, and biological son. So, ahead of the episode premiere, let's take a glimpse back at who Margaret was married to and where her children are now?

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Who is Margaret Josephs' ex-husband?

Margaret was married to Jan Josephs for nearly 20 years before marrying Joe Benigno. Jan was well-known for his work with Josephs Brothers Embroidery, in addition to being Margaret's ex-husband. As per his obituary, after graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1969, he joined his brother and father in the family company, where he remained for nearly 40 years. According to PEOPLE, Jan died on August 26, 2022, at the age of 74, from an unexpected heart attack.

Margaret took to social media just a few days after his death, on what would have been his 75th birthday, to remember her late ex-husband. Margaret then disclosed that despite their divorce, they still talked almost every day.

According to People, Margaret had an affair with her now-husband, Joe, but she and Jan stayed on good terms for the sake of their son Spencer Josephs. Margaret also revealed to fans her greatest regret from her marriage to Jan. She said she wishes she had ended the marriage sooner to prevent hurting those she cared about the most. She stated in the conversation that she was sorry for hurting her family, but "if you as a person are not happy, you can't make anybody else happy around you." She claimed she still loves her ex-husband and remembers marrying him as one of the best days of her life. She never intended to divorce, but added that life happens when it happens, and you just have to accept it.

Who are Margaret Josephs' son and stepchildren?

Margaret has three stepkids - Derek, Taryn, and Bret - Jan's children from a prior relationship. Bret appeared on 'RHONJ' as a photographer at one of the show's parties, where her ex-husband Jan was also present.

Margaret revealed that she and Jan have a biological son during an interview on 'The Wendy Williams Show' in 2020. Spencer was born in 1996 and will be 29 this year. "Everybody knows 25, 30 percent of my life," Margaret informed Wendy during the interview. "I have a natural-born son people don’t know about. Everybody always thought I never had children, but I have my own son."

According to his LinkedIn profile (now removed), Spencer attended Tenafly High School in New Jersey before attending Tulane University in New Orleans. He earned a degree in Economics and Management. His profile also states that he currently resides in New York City, but little else is known about him because he does not look to have any social media profiles.

Where are Margaret Josephs' son and stepchildren now?

Margaret Josephs married her first spouse, Jan Josephs, in 1994, abandoning a lucrative job in fashion design to become a dedicated housewife. During their 17-year marriage, she raised his three children alongside her first boy, born in 1996. Margaret lost contact with her children after her marriage ended in 2013. She plunged herself into a new affair with Joe Benigno, a highly tattooed, motorcycle-riding plumber, and began a new phase in her life.

Margaret admitted in an interview with Nicki Swift that her bond with her stepchildren is still a work in progress. Margaret stated that things have improved slightly, but there was still space for growth. Her relationship with her middle stepson, she claims, is much improved, but her relationship with her stepdaughter remains strained. She links the gradual development in her relationship with her stepdaughter to things that occurred with her mother when she was younger, as well as Margaret's adultery. Even if she doesn't have as close a connection with them as she would like, she is relieved to know that they are all still close and leading happy and successful lives. Margaret says she has a wonderful connection with her biological son and that they are very close.

Spencer's parents, who married in 1994, separated after 20 years of marriage, as per vervetimes.com. Margaret had an affair with her now-husband, Joe Benigno, but she and Jan stayed in touch for his sake. Spencer lived mainly with his mother, but his parents shared all of his expenses, including college fees. According to court papers acquired by Radar Online, the pair was told to "make certain that Spencer shall spend reasonable time with both parties" and that "all holidays and vacations shall be divided and/or alternated on an equal basis."

However, Josephs previously told PEOPLE that her choice to leave Jan in 2013 for her new husband Joe Benigno strained her relationship with her stepchildren. Though her son continues to interact with his half-siblings, Josephs stated in 2018 that she had not spoken to them in years. "I know they don't hate me," Margaret explained at the time. "They're holding a grudge. And it doesn't make it any easier. But I know in my heart we'll find a way back to one another. I'd die over them."

"It's an ache no one can fill. It's heart-wrenching," she went on. "They were my whole life. We had every Sunday dinner, bar mitzvahs. … Not knowing what they're up to, it's so weird. I pray every day and I write to them constantly. It's not like they don't acknowledge me with thank-yous. But it's just not the same."

Margaret has never been able to rekindle her once-perfect relationship with her three stepchildren, who have held grievances against her since the split.

While many 'RHONJ' fans have chastised Margaret for not being a "real" parent to Jan's three children, the reality personality has defended her parenthood, pointing out that she and Jan had a biological boy together, with whom she is still in contact. "I have a biological son that everyone on the cast knows about and we are very close," she wrote in a text to a critic. "So please stop with the sweeping false statements about my 'real children'; my stepchildren are also my children, I raised them."

"I think a lot of families stay together for the kids, but my kids ... were grown adults when we got divorced. Like, grown adults, living separately. They were in their 30s, my stepchildren, and I was with them, like I said, from a young girl. And my biological son was 15 when it happened, and he’s now 21. So, everybody really was up and out. But it didn’t make a difference how old everybody was, we were all so close and spent so much time together, I think it cut very deeply," she elaborated.

Margaret's children, per the Daily Dish, have a private life, and some of them openly oppose her blossoming career in the entertainment business. She did, however, receive tremendous support from her stepson, Bret, who called out to her following the split.

New episodes of 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' airs every Wednesday at 8 pm ET only on Bravo.