Real Housewife Gilda Kirkpatrick looks unrecognisable in this throwback photo!

Gilda Kirkpatrick has been gracing our social pages and TV screens for over a decade now - but we totally did not recognise her in this throwback photo from 2008!

The Real Housewives of Auckland star can be seen rocking long blonde hair and blue eyes, alongside ex-prime minister John Key.

Gilda is the former wife of property developer James Kirkpatrick, and is also known for living in the "wedding cake" mansion on Auckland's expensive Paritai Drive.

Originally born in Iran, the mother of two owns an advertising agency and has written a series of illustrated comic style sci-fi books about eight super heroes who travel through the Universe.