Bethenny Frankel

Career Start

Bethenny Frankel's career began in 1992 when she moved to Los Angeles with aspirations of becoming an actress. While she landed some minor roles, she worked as a personal assistant and nanny for notable personalities, such as Paris Hilton and Jerry Bruckheimer. In 2003, she founded her first food business, BethennyBakes, which focused on healthy baked goods and meal delivery. This venture led her to compete in the reality competition series "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" in 2005, where she was one of the finalists, marking her transition into the world of reality television.

Profession

Bethenny is best known as an original cast member of "The Real Housewives of New York City," which premiered in 2008. Her candid personality and humor made her a fan favorite, leading to several spin-off series, including "Bethenny Getting Married?" and "Bethenny & Fredrik." She also hosted her own daytime talk show, "Bethenny," and appeared in shows such as "Shark Tank" and "The Big Shot with Bethenny."

Family Background

Bethenny Frankel is the only child of Robert J. Frankel, a horse trainer, and Bernadette Birk, an interior designer. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her upbringing was marked by challenges that shaped her resilience and ambition.

Parents

Her father was of German-Jewish descent and her mother was a Roman Catholic of Welsh descent. After her parents' divorce, her mother remarried horse trainer John Parisella, further influencing Frankel's connection to the equine industry.

Siblings

As an only child, Bethenny often navigated her childhood experiences alone but found strength in her entrepreneurial spirit, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

Spouse or Partner

Bethenny has been married twice. Her first marriage was to entertainment executive Peter Sussman from 1996 to 1997. In 2010, she married Jason Hoppy, with whom she shares a daughter, Bryn. They separated in 2012, and their divorce was finalized in 2021. More recently, she was engaged to film producer Paul Bernon from 2018 but they split in 2024.

Height

Bethenny Frankel stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), commanding attention both on and off screen with her vibrant personality and sharp business acumen.

Achievements

Bethenny Frankel is a New York Times bestselling author, having published several self-help books that focus on lifestyle and wellness. She is also the founder of the Skinnygirl brand, a successful line of low-calorie cocktails and lifestyle products that significantly boosted her public profile and wealth.

Net Worth

​As of 2024, Bethenny Frankel's net worth is estimated at $80 million, largely attributable to her successful ventures in reality television, her Skinnygirl brand, and various entrepreneurial endeavors.​ Her combination of media presence and savvy business strategies has made her a prominent figure in the entertainment and wellness industries.

Bethenny continues to thrive and advocate for various causes, including disaster relief efforts through her BStrong initiative, making a lasting impact on her community and beyond.