Margaret Josephs

Margaret Josephs
Born	Margaret Katona 4/9/1967
Birthplace	Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Fashion designer, entrepreneur, television personality
Known for	Macbeth Collection, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Education	Fashion Institute of Technology (BA)
Spouse(s)	Jan Josephs (m. 1994; div. 2013), Joe Benigno (m. 2013)

Margaret Josephs (née Margaret Katona; born April 9, 1967) is an American fashion designer, entrepreneur, and television personality. She is the founder, owner, and designer of the Macbeth Collection, a lifestyle brand known for its colorful patterns across a range of consumer products. Josephs gained broader public recognition when she joined the cast of the Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of New Jersey as a main cast member beginning with its eighth season in 2017. Born and raised in New Jersey, Josephs built a career in the fashion and consumer goods industries over several decades before entering reality television. Her entrepreneurial ventures have expanded beyond fashion accessories to include beverage brands and wellness products. Known for her signature pigtails hairstyle and forthright personality, Josephs has become one of the most recognizable figures in the Real Housewives franchise.

Early Life

Margaret Katona was born on April 9, 1967, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She grew up in New Jersey, where she spent her formative years before pursuing a career in fashion design. Details regarding her parents and siblings are limited in published sources, though Josephs has spoken publicly about her upbringing in various media appearances over the years. Her childhood in the Garden State would later inform much of her professional identity, as she maintained deep ties to New Jersey throughout her career in fashion and entertainment.

Education

Josephs attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. The institution, one of the most prominent fashion schools in the United States, provided Josephs with the formal training in design that would serve as the foundation for her career in the fashion and lifestyle industries. Her education at the school equipped her with skills in textile design, branding, and product development that she would later apply to building the Macbeth Collection.

Career

Macbeth Collection

Josephs founded the Macbeth Collection, a lifestyle brand characterized by its vibrant, colorful patterns and designs. The brand began as a hat line and expanded over time into a broader range of products including handbags, accessories, electronics cases, stationery, and other consumer goods. The Macbeth Collection became known for its distinctive aesthetic, featuring bold prints and patterns across its product lines.

The company's growth attracted media attention, and Josephs was recognized by CNN Money as one of its featured "Mom Millionaires," profiling mothers who had built successful businesses. Josephs was also honored by Country Living magazine as a Women Entrepreneur honoree in 2007, an acknowledgment of her accomplishments in building the Macbeth Collection brand. The magazine also published a profile of Josephs in connection with her entrepreneurial work.

Josephs made media appearances to discuss her brand and expertise in lifestyle and design. She appeared on Better TV to discuss topics related to relationships and lifestyle. She was also featured in 201 Magazine in its September 2014 issue, discussing her work and brand. Josephs additionally participated in educational outreach, appearing at business fairs where students could learn about various aspects of the business world.

In a 2015 appearance on the Black America Web radio program, Josephs discussed navigating the role of being a second wife, drawing from her personal experiences to offer advice on the subject.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

In 2017, Josephs joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo as a main cast member for the show's eighth season. Her addition to the cast was announced alongside the release of the season's trailer, which introduced Josephs to the show's established audience.

Ahead of her debut on the series, multiple outlets profiled Josephs. NJ.com published a feature introducing her to viewers, noting her New Jersey roots and entrepreneurial background. Bustle described Josephs as bringing "determination and pigtails" to the series, referencing both her business acumen and her distinctive hairstyle, which became a recognizable personal trademark. People magazine also ran a feature on her signature pigtails, which Josephs has worn consistently throughout her public appearances.

In an interview with AOL ahead of the eighth season premiere, Josephs discussed her decision to join the show and what viewers could expect from her as a new cast member.

Josephs remained a main cast member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey in subsequent seasons, becoming a central figure in the show's dynamics. Her interactions with co-star Teresa Giudice became one of the more prominent storylines across multiple seasons. By late 2025, Josephs gave what was described as a "firm response" when asked about the state of her friendship with Giudice, indicating the two were not on good terms.

As of early 2026, the future format of The Real Housewives of New Jersey remained uncertain. Reports indicated that Josephs was reportedly not willing to film the series with certain co-stars, adding to the ambiguity surrounding the show's next chapter. Separately, reports emerged that Josephs was among several Real Housewives stars rumored for a potential new reality show on Amazon Prime Video.

Post-Bravo Business Ventures

Beyond her work on reality television, Josephs continued to expand her entrepreneurial portfolio in the mid-2020s. In a January 2026 interview with Bravo's The Daily Dish, Josephs discussed her new career directions, describing herself as "really hustling" as she pursued new business opportunities.

In a February 2026 interview with Newsweek, Josephs discussed several of her newer business ventures. The article detailed her involvement with Soirée, described as a "full circle" business move, and her work with LifeRX, a wellness brand. The interview also touched on what Newsweek characterized as her building a "sober empire," referencing her approach to business and lifestyle branding beyond the context of reality television drama.

Advocacy and Public Appearances

Josephs has been publicly involved in charitable and advocacy work. In August 2025, she participated in events supporting the LGBTQ+ community, including an appearance on the Moshulu event and support for "Bite for the Fight." In an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News, Josephs discussed her views on allyship and giving back to the community.

Personal Life

Josephs was first married to Jan Josephs in 1994. The couple divorced in 2013. She subsequently married Joe Benigno in 2013. Josephs has been open about her role as a stepmother, having spoken publicly about the experience of being a second wife and navigating blended family dynamics.

Josephs resides in New Jersey, maintaining her connection to the state where she was born and raised. Her personal life has been a recurring subject on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, where aspects of her marriage, family relationships, and friendships have been documented on camera.

In early 2026, Josephs documented her rhinoplasty journey publicly on social media. Page Six covered her recovery process, noting that she shared a series of images on Instagram showing the progression from bandages and bruising to final results. In a separate interview with NewBeauty, Josephs reflected on her rhinoplasty procedure and her recovery experience at a hotel in Beverly Hills.

Recognition

Josephs has received recognition for her work as an entrepreneur and public figure over the course of her career. She was named a Women Entrepreneur honoree by Country Living magazine in 2007 for her work building the Macbeth Collection brand. CNN Money featured her among its "Mom Millionaires," a series profiling mothers who had achieved significant financial success through their own businesses.

Her profile expanded substantially following her casting on The Real Housewives of New Jersey in 2017, which brought her to the attention of a national audience beyond the fashion and business press. Major publications including People, Bustle, TV Guide, and AOL published profiles and interviews with Josephs during her first season on the show. By the mid-2020s, Josephs was featured in outlets such as Newsweek and Page Six for both her business ventures and personal life, reflecting her sustained public presence across multiple media platforms.