Patricia Altschul Reveals Shocking Change in Her Bond with Son Whitney: “Things Are Different Now”

Since the debut season of Southern Charm premiered more than 10 years ago, the graceful and poised Patricia Altschul has always doted on her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith.

She said as much back in Season 6 when chatting with Bravo’s The Daily Dish about what it was like to be the mom to the filmmaker and show’s creator. Her interview came before the January 2024 passing of Whitney’s father, Lon Smith, with whom Patricia was married for 14 years until their 1979 divorce, according to People.

The couple maintained a close friendship over the years.

In her 2019 interview, Patricia described life both on and off Southern Charm and gave some revealing details about the show’s brainchild who, at the time, kept busy as creator and executive producer for two spin-offs, Southern Charm Savannah and Southern Charm New Orleans.

Here’s what she told producers in the video, which you can watch, above.

Patricia on filming Southern Charm

Patricia: Whitney and I are very close. He did tell me at the beginning, ‘Just be on it for five minutes, and that’s all you have to do.’ And now, he says, ‘Mother, please don’t talk too much. Watch what you say. Edit. Edit what you say.’ And, of course, I just say whatever pops into my head. But I think that gives him ulcers.

Patricia on her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith

Patricia: I mean, he’s my only child, and I’m sure I’ve spoiled him, but I don’t care. He’s turned out, for me, to be a kind, loving — and he works. Which I think, in relation to Southern Charm, I’d like to emphasize, because not all of the cast members are, you know, cavorting and debauching all the time. He literally has always worked, and we’ve always been close.

Patricia on Whitney changing

Patricia: Well, I’ve seen a change in him recently, and he’s talked more about settling down because his career has really taken off, you know. Before, he was doing documentaries, and it was feast or famine. But now, I mean, he has these three shows on television. He’s working on two more. He just did some big deal in China. So, I think he’s comfortable with the career stability this time.

Patricia on Lon Smith

Producer: Are you still close to his father at all?

Patricia: We have always been close. We have always talked. There was never an acrimonious word between us. Um, we still talk. Every once in a while, we argue over who gets Whitney for Christmas.

Producer: To this day?

Patricia (laughing): To this day. But it’s always pleasant. He’s a fabulous father, a lovely human being, quite successful, very smart, and Whitney is very close to him.

Patricia had who over for dinner?

Producer: Can you name someone we might be surprised to learn you’ve hosted at one of your infamous dinner parties?

Patricia: Gosh, I have to think about that. Sofia Vergara came for one Easter, and at that time, she was dating a cousin of Whitney. And she loved Charleston, and we had a nice Easter celebration. So, that was kind of a surprise that you wouldn’t think would be somebody that I would host.