7 Shocking Facts About Dominique El Moussa-Arnould: Tarek El Moussa's Mom And The Family's Unsung Hero

The family behind the famous HGTV star Tarek El Moussa is just as fascinating as his multi-million dollar real estate empire. As of December 12, 2025, the spotlight is increasingly turning to the matriarch of the family, Dominique El Moussa-Arnould, Tarek’s mother, who has quietly played a pivotal role in his life and career, even appearing on his spin-off show. Beyond her role as a supportive parent, Dominique is a woman with her own compelling story, a Dutch heritage, and a surprisingly candid relationship with both Tarek's current wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, and his ex-wife, Christina Haack.

Dominique El Moussa-Arnould is far more than just "Tarek's mom." She is a strong, independent woman whose influence on the Flip or Flop star shaped his drive, his business acumen, and his famous resilience. From providing a literal roof over his head during a tough time to offering public commentary on the dynamics of his blended family, she is truly the unsung hero of the El Moussa clan.

Dominique El Moussa-Arnould: A Comprehensive Profile

Dominique El Moussa-Arnould is best known as the mother of real estate investor and HGTV personality Tarek El Moussa. She is a figure of growing public interest as Tarek and his family—including his wife, Heather Rae El Moussa, and ex-wife, Christina Haack—continue to share their lives across multiple television shows and social media platforms.

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• Full Name: Dominique El Moussa-Arnould (sometimes cited as Dominique El Moussa)
• Nationality: Dutch (Tarek's father is Lebanese, giving Tarek a mixed Arab/European ancestry)
• Ethnicity: European/Dutch
• Spouse: Tarek's father (name not widely publicized in current sources)
• Children: Tarek El Moussa (born August 21, 1981)
• Profession: Mother, Real Estate License Holder (mentioned in connection with Tarek's business)
• Residency: Buena Park, California (according to public records)
• Notable Appearances: Featured on Tarek’s spin-off series, Tarek's Flip Side, in the episode "Cooking With Mom."
• Key Role: The matriarch of the El Moussa family, known for her candid nature and supportive relationship with her son and his blended family.

The Dutch Matriarch and Tarek’s Humble Beginnings

Many fans of Flip or Flop and The Flipping El Moussas are familiar with Tarek’s confident, successful persona, but few realize the role his mother’s Dutch background and his family’s history played in his journey. Tarek El Moussa was born in Long Beach, California, to a Lebanese father and his Dutch mother, Dominique. This mixed heritage of Arab/European ancestry is a core part of Tarek's identity.

Dominique, a European woman with a strong sense of family, instilled a work ethic in her son that would later define his career as a real estate investor. Tarek often speaks about his upbringing, noting that his father, who was raised Catholic in the Middle East in Lebanon, also inspired his early interest in real estate.

The Garage That Launched a Millionaire

One of the most surprising and recent revelations about Tarek’s past involves his mother's home. Tarek, now a multi-millionaire with luxury properties, candidly shared a video on Instagram showing the small space he once occupied: his mother’s garage.

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This period of living in Dominique El Moussa-Arnould's garage highlights a crucial, humbling chapter in Tarek's life. It underscores the financial struggles and setbacks he faced before becoming an HGTV powerhouse. Dominique provided the safety net and support Tarek needed during a difficult time, proving her unconditional love and commitment to her son's success. This story serves as a powerful reminder of his resilience and the foundation his family provided.

Dominique's Surprising Role in the Blended Family Dynamics

The relationship between Dominique El Moussa-Arnould and Tarek’s blended family is a significant area of public interest, especially given the high-profile nature of his relationships with his ex-wife, Christina Haack (now Christina Hall), and his current wife, Heather Rae El Moussa.

1. The Unexpected Bond with Christina Haack

In a recent episode of the HGTV show The Flip Off, Christina Haack made a surprising admission: she is still very close with her former mother-in-law, Dominique. This revelation is a testament to Dominique's character and her ability to maintain familial bonds even after a high-profile divorce. Christina and Tarek share two children, Taylor and Brayden, and Dominique remains their grandmother, making her ongoing, positive relationship with Christina a key factor in successful co-parenting.

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Christina also shared a particularly candid story, revealing that Dominique had advised her not to marry Tarek before their wedding. While the advice was not taken, the fact that Christina felt comfortable sharing this detail publicly on a new HGTV show suggests a deep, trusting, and enduring connection between the two women.

2. Candid Commentary on Heather Rae El Moussa

Dominique has also been vocal in her support of Tarek’s current wife, Heather Rae El Moussa. In a March 2024 comment on social media, Dominique publicly praised Heather’s mothering skills, using the popular phrase "Mother knows best." This public endorsement is significant, offering a rare glimpse into the private family dynamics and confirming the strong relationship between Tarek’s mother and the star of Selling Sunset.

The two women have also appeared together on screen. Dominique cooked a special vegan crunch wrap with Tarek for Heather on an episode of Tarek's Flip Side. These interactions show a genuine warmth and mutual respect, which is crucial for the stability of Tarek and Heather’s family, including their son, Tristan El Moussa.

More Than Just a Mom: Dominique’s Business Ties

While her primary public role is as a mother and grandmother, Dominique El Moussa-Arnould has direct, albeit limited, ties to the real estate world that made her son famous. She holds a real estate license, connecting her directly to the industry that is the family's bread and butter.

In one instance, Tarek even considered hiring his mother to sell a property for him. Although the transaction may not have gone through, the fact that she was considered for a professional role demonstrates Tarek's trust in her abilities and a deeper business connection than most fans realize. The El Moussa family is a true dynasty, with business and personal lives frequently overlapping.

The Topical Authority of the El Moussa Family

The enduring public interest in Dominique is part of a larger fascination with the entire El Moussa family unit. Her story adds layers to the narrative of Tarek, the successful real estate investor, and provides context to the complex, yet functional, blended family he has built with Heather Rae and Christina. Her candid nature, her Dutch heritage, and her foundational support during Tarek’s early career struggles make her a key entity in the ongoing saga of the HGTV stars.

The family continues to expand, with Tarek and Heather Rae celebrating milestones with their young son, Tristan, and co-parenting Taylor and Brayden with Christina. Dominique El Moussa-Arnould is the quiet, strong figure at the heart of it all, ensuring that the next generation of El Moussas, including her grandchildren, is grounded and supported by the family's deep, complex roots.