Bethenny Frankel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethenny Frankel
Frankel in 2009
Born	(1970-11-04) November 4, 1970 (age 54) Queens, New York, U.S.
Education	Boston University New York University (BA)
Occupation	Actress Reality Television Personality Tik Tokker Entrepreneur Philanthropist Social Media Reviewer Author
Years active	1993–present
Spouse(s)	Peter Sussman ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 1997)​ Jason Hoppy ​ ​ (m. 2010; div. 2021)​
Partner(s)	Paul Bernon (2018–2024)
Children	1
Parents	Robert J. Frankel (father) Bernadette Birk (mother)

Bethenny Frankel (born November 4, 1970) is an American television star, entrepreneur, and author. She is also known for her work helping people through her charity.

Bethenny first became famous on the TV show The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005. She was one of the top two contestants. Later, she joined The Real Housewives of New York City on the Bravo channel. She was on this show for many seasons.

She also had her own TV shows, like Bethenny Ever After and Bethenny. Besides TV, Bethenny started her own company called Skinnygirl. It sells many different products. She also created BStrong, a group that helps people during disasters. Bethenny has written several books and hosts podcasts too.

Early Life & Education

Bethenny Frankel was born in New York. Her father, Robert J. Frankel, trained horses. Her mother, Bernadette Birk, designed interiors. Bethenny moved many times and went to different schools.

She went to Catholic schools when she was young. In 1988, she finished high school at Pine Crest School in Florida. She later studied at Boston University for two years. She then graduated from New York University with a degree in psychology and communications.

Career Highlights

Starting Out in Show Business

In 1992, Bethenny moved to Los Angeles. She wanted to become an actress. She had some small acting parts. She also worked as a nanny for Paris Hilton. She was also a personal assistant for film producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Linda Bruckheimer.

Bethenny even worked behind the scenes on the TV show Saved by the Bell. She used these experiences to start her first business. It was a party-planning company called "In Any Event." Later, she sold pashmina scarves.

From Baking to Reality TV

In 2003, Bethenny started a baking business. It was called "BethennyBakes." She focused on making "healthy" cookies and meals. This business was featured on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005. Bethenny was one of the two finalists on the show.

In 2008, Bethenny became a star on The Real Housewives of New York City. This show followed her daily life. In 2010, she got her own show called Bethenny Getting Married?. It was later renamed Bethenny Ever After. This show shared her wedding and the birth of her daughter. It was very popular, with millions of viewers.

Bethenny also hosted her own talk show called Bethenny from 2013 to 2014. She returned to The Real Housewives of New York City in 2015. In 2021, she starred in The Big Shot with Bethenny on HBO Max. On this show, people competed for a job on her business team.

Building the Skinnygirl Brand

Bethenny Frankel has written several books. Her first book, Naturally Thin, came out in 2009. It shared her ideas about healthy eating. She also released a cookbook and an exercise DVD.

In 2009, Bethenny created Skinnygirl Margarita. This was a pre-made drink. It became very successful. In 2011, she sold the drink part of her business for a lot of money. However, she kept the Skinnygirl brand name.

Today, the Skinnygirl brand sells many different products. These include food items like dips, snacks, and salad dressings. She also sells clothing, accessories, and cookware. You can find her products in many stores.

Helping Others: BStrong

Bethenny Frankel founded BStrong. This is a charity that helps people around the world. It started by helping women. Now, it also provides aid during disasters.

In 2017, BStrong helped victims of Hurricane Harvey. Bethenny went to Houston, Texas, to give out supplies. That same year, she helped people in Mexico after an earthquake. BStrong also sent medical supplies and food to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, BStrong raised money. They delivered masks and other important gear to hospitals. In 2022, BStrong also sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Personal Life & Interests

Bethenny Frankel has shared that she has a mix of religious backgrounds. She sees herself as spiritual and culturally Jewish.

She was married to Peter Sussman from 1996 to 1997. In 2010, she married Jason Hoppy. They have one daughter together. Their divorce was finalized in 2021.

Bethenny has a serious fish allergy. In 2018, she had to go to the hospital after eating soup with fish. Since then, she has spoken out about the dangers of serving fish on airplanes. She believes it can be risky for people with severe allergies.

Television Appearances

As Herself

As Actress