25 (non-Bravo) real life housewives who are pretty badass

Akie Abe

Don’t write Akie Abe, Japan’s first lady, off as just a wealthy socialite. She may be the daughter and wife of two very wealthy and prominent men, but she is often outspoken about her own views –views which often don’t line up with the politics of her husband, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Abe is so outspoken, in fact, that she has recently become known as the “domestic opposition party” because she is often on the opposite side of issues of her husband. She promotes equality and has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ issues.

Although she is reported to love Korean soap operas, she’s definitely not afraid of creating a little drama of her own. Recently, she was at the center of a (albeit mild) scandal in which she was accused of pretending not to speak English during a meeting with President Donald Trump. The ruckus was sorted out shortly, but it seems like Abe to offer a little passive protest to an ideology with which she disagrees.

Abe wasn’t always just being groomed to be a politician’s wife. She enjoyed a fairly successful career as a radio DJ, with the handle “Akky.” In fact, Wikipedia lists her occupation as “housewife” first and then “disc jockey” right under that. She’s living proof that you never have to be overshadowed by your husband.