“Real Housewife” Jill Zarin Paid $15K For Speaking Engagement At Public University In Florida

In a move that some Watercooler Chatters are calling “Highway Robbery in the Reality Age,” Real Housewives of New York castmember Jill Zarin banked $15,000 for a brief 90-minute book signing and speaking engagement at the University of South Florida last month.

USF covered Zarin’s airfare from the Big Apple to The Sunshine State, five-star hotel accommodations, and provided the socialite with free dining when the The Secrets of a Jewish Mother author “appeared before a tiny crowd” showed up for a lecture at the state-funded institution.

Who knew public schools had such a generous “Diva Allowance?” If only they could spring that well when dividing up those Pell Grants!

By comparison, Meghan McCain pocketed $11,300 for an appearance at the same school last Wednesday.