Main content

Chutzpah, escape, reinvention: Julia Haart's secret lives

Reality TV star Julia Haart grew up in an Ultra-Orthodox community. For years she led a double life – creating a secret escape fund before she found the courage to leave.

Julia Haart began her life as a Jewish secular refugee, fleeing the Soviet Union to Austin, Texas. By the time she was 11 she was living in an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Monsey, New York.

On the outside, Julia seemed like she fitted in. She went to a prestigious religious college, got married, had children and worked as a teacher while her husband studied religious texts. But Julia was deeply unhappy and begun a double life selling insurance to create an escape fund. Eventually Julia left the community and with only her love of fashion to guide her, started her own shoe brand. In just a few years she became the creative director of a famous lingerie company and then the star of her own reality television series, My Unorthodox Life.

If you're affected by any of the issues raised in the programme, you can find information about support available at bbc.co.uk/actionline or befrienders.org

Presented by Asya Fouks
Produced by Sarah Kendal

(Photo: Julia Haart. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Thu 4 Jul 2024 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 3 Jul 2024 11:06GMT
  • Wed 3 Jul 2024 17:06GMT
  • Wed 3 Jul 2024 21:06GMT
  • Thu 4 Jul 2024 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected