Fans of Bravo’s The Real Housewives Of New York City know that the cast members come and go as the RHONY seasons pass. Love her or hate her, Bethenny Frankel made her mark on the franchise; her bold personality struck a chord.
She’s a no-nonsense woman with a quick wit, a smart and sassy attitude, and an opinion about everything. She has become super-successful, thanks to her business savvy and broad appeal.
This season, Frankel isn’t back on the show, but the ladies are still living it up in the Big Apple. It doesn’t seem like they miss Frankel much, and some have said that they’re glad she’s no longer on the show. Some viewers don’t mind that she’s out of the picture, either.
That said, Frankel is on to bigger and better things – from her work to her charitable causes (she's helping with COVID-19 relief). She’s raising her daughter and doing her best.
Here are some Frankel facts to give more insight into what makes Frankel tick.
10 She Was A Contestant On The Apprentice With Martha Stewart
Move over, Martha! Frankel showed off her skills on reality TV, well before Bravo scooped her up. She was using her personality and appeal to try to win over Martha Stewart, and this exposure was what put Frankel on the map.
Fast forward...now, Frankel is arguably as big of a star as Stewart. Bethenny has her own companies and makes millions. While doing The Apprentice must have been a blast, there’s no chance Frankel would do a show like that now.
9 She Attended NYU And Got A Dual Degree In Psychology And Communications
NYU is a prestigious school in NYC, and Frankel went all out with a dual degree in Psychology and Communications. Her education paid off, as she uses what she learned in the business world, as well as when she's dealing with her “frenemies” on RHONY.
It has been decades since Frankel was in school, but those years must have been memorable. Her classmates surely look back and remember that they new Frankel before she got rich and famous.
8 She Posed For A PETA Billboard (Nude) In 2009
Celebs who care about animals are often outspoken about it, and Frankel went above and beyond by teaming up with PETA for one of their billboards back in 2009. She even posed nude to get the point across. Frankel is an animal lover; we've seen the way she caters to her adorable dogs. Her efforts were important, bringing awareness to PETA and the work they do for animals.
7 She Worked As A Production Assistant On The Set Of Saved By The Bell
Fans can’t get enough of Saved By The Bell, even to this day. The show was a huge hit when it first aired, and the reruns are still so much fun to watch. While Frankel wasn’t part of the cast, she did have an important role in making the show, as she was a production assistant. It must have been a blast for her to meet the cast and crew. After all, who doesn’t love “Slater"?
6 She Has Written Four Self-Help Books
Those who are fans of Frankel appreciate her openness and honesty. She is great at giving advice, and always has a lot to say. It came as no surprise when she decided to get into the book business, and her self-help books are wildly popular. She has written four so far, and she will probably publish more in the years to come. Self-help is a popular genre, and there are plenty of readers who want to learn from Bethenny.
5 She’s A Yoga Enthusiast And Has A 'Skinnygirl Yoga' DVD
Frankel stays limber - and in great shape - by practicing yoga. She’s really into it and even produced her own DVD, so fans could follow her moves. The art of yoga is great for the body, mind, and spirit. With all the stress Frankel is under, taking time to focus on her well-being is crucial. Yoga workouts help her to maintain her fitness and recharge her batteries.
4 Before She Married Jason Hoppy On TV, She Was Married To Her BFF, Peter Sussman
Bravo fans were pleased when Frankel aired her wedding to Jason Hoppy on TV, for all the world to see. Things went south for the couple, and they still have their issues. Many folks have no idea that Frankel was married before she said “I do” to Hoppy. Bethenny Frankel was briefly wed to her best friend at the time, Peter Sussman. If she ever marries again, let’s hope the third time’s the charm.
3 She Sold Her Skinnygirl Company To Fortune Brands’ Beam Global For $100 Million
Frankel’s Skinnygirl line is super-successful. The alcohol brand is big, and they even make foods and snacks, as well as other products fans have eagerly scooped up. The brand grew to wild proportions, and Frankel eventually chose to sell Skinnygirl for a whopping $100 million. That’s no small chunk of change, and the dough will do plenty for Frankel…probably for life. Who knew a simple idea would turn into something so substantial?
2 She’s Raising Bryn As A Vegetarian
Frankel’s cute daughter, Bryn, is getting big, and we’ve seen her on RHONY since she was a wee one. Frankel has chosen to raise her daughter as a vegetarian, so that’s in line with her work for PETA. While Bryn can one day make her own decision about whether she wants to eat meat, for now, mom’s the one who feeds her. So, she’ll have to wait until she’s a teen to test it out…if she has the appetite for it.
1 She Used To Babysit For Paris And Nicky Hilton
Paris and Nicky Hilton are famous socialites in their own right, and they used to be cared for by Frankel. It’s an unusual connection, but every kid needs a babysitter at some point, even the famous ones. The ladies seem to still see one another, based on this relatively recent pic. Who would have guessed that one day Frankel would be as rich and famous as some of the Hiltons?