Bethenny Frankel has been a familiar face on multiple platforms for many years. Her enduring presence in the limelight has captivated her fans, who eagerly crave more of her.
Bethenny’s fame is a result of her appearance on the reality show The Real Housewives of New York on Bravo. Despite no longer being involved in reality TV, her foray into the business world has been incredibly successful.
Bethenny Frankel Bio Summary
Name: Bethenny Robyn Frankel
Date of birth: 4th November 1970
Place of birth: Queens, New York City, United States
Age: 54 years old (in 2024)
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: White
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Weight: 55 kg
Relationship status: Engaged
Partner’s name: Paul Bernon
Kids: 1 (daughter)
Occupation: Television personality, businesswoman, talk show host, author
Early Life & Education
On November 4, 1970, Bethenny Frankel was born to Robert J Frankel and Bernadette Birk in Queens, New York City. Her father was a well-known horse trainer who received multiple ‘Eclipse Awards.’
Bethenny’s mother worked as an interior designer and she was the only child in the family. However, the peaceful atmosphere in their household changed after her birth, and her father left when she was just 4 years old.
After Bethenny’s father cut off financial support, her mother and she faced a period of financial hardship. A year later, her mother remarried a horse trainer named John Parisella, who proved to be even worse than her biological father. John mistreated them, causing Bethenny to witness her mother’s descent into depression and alcohol addiction.
As a result of financial struggles, Bethenny began working with her biological father at his stable while also pursuing her education. During her teenage years, her mother frequently relocated and Bethenny had to switch schools frequently.
In the mid-1980s, her mother enrolled her in a boarding school to provide stability for her academic path. In 1988, Bethenny completed her studies at ‘Pine Crest School’ in Florida. After completing her studies in psychology and communications at New York University, she relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of her acting career.
Career
In the early 1990s, Bethenny Frankel arrived in Los Angeles and began trying out for minor roles in television and movies. Despite facing significant challenges, she eventually secured a job as a production assistant on the sitcom ‘Saved by the Bell.’
Despite facing more challenges, she ultimately secured a stable position as the personal assistant to renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The job provided her with a good salary and opportunities to meet influential figures in the industry, giving her hope for a successful entertainment career.
After a short time, she started getting involved in the business world. In the late 1990s, she opened a company that planned events, but unfortunately, it was not successful.
She then tried her hand at selling pashmina scarves, but that also did not work out. Frustrated with her continual failures, she decided to return to school and pursue a gourmet specialization at the ‘Natural Gourmet Institute’ in 2002.
After completing her studies at the institute, she founded ‘Bethenny Bakes’ and began offering nutritious and tasty cookies, specializing in serving extravagant events in New York City.
Bethenny Frankel’s experience in baking played a crucial role in landing her a spot as a contestant on the popular reality show The Apprentice: Martha Stewart back in 2005. She eventually made it to the final round, securing her spot as one of the show’s top two competitors.
This opportunity propelled her to fame in American households and opened the doors for her to join other reality television series, including The Real Housewives of New York City. Airing in 2008, the popular show featured Bethenny as its standout contestant.
In 2009, Bethenny Frankel capitalized on her image by publishing a book called ‘Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Break Free from a Lifetime of Dieting’. This book was a huge success and ‘SkinnyGirl’ became Bethenny’s signature brand, leading her to publish three additional books in the subsequent years.
Personal Life
In 1996, Bethenny Frankel tied the knot with Hollywood executive Peter Sussman, but the marriage ended in divorce after just one year. In March 2010, she married Jason Hoppy, a pharmaceutical sales executive, while she was in the early stages of pregnancy with their child.
In 2010, Bethenny’s second marriage was a highly publicized event featured on her reality show ‘Bethenny Getting Married?’. During the same time, she welcomed her daughter, Bryn, into the world. In January 2013, Bethenny filed for divorce, and a custody arrangement for Bryn was settled in 2014. The divorce was officially finalized in July 2016.
Bethenny Frankel found love again with Paul Bernon, creating the perfect union of entrepreneurs. The founder of Skinnygirl and the movie producer began their relationship in 2018 through a dating app and are currently engaged.
Net Worth
Thanks to her TV celebrity status, lucrative book deals, and the massive success of her Skinny-Girl brand, Bethenny Frankel’s wealth is staggering. She is reportedly worth around $25 million, and her lifestyle reflects her contentment with her earnings.
