History of Bethenny Frankel in Timeline
Bethenny Frankel is an American entrepreneur, television personality, philanthropist, and author. She gained initial recognition as a runner-up on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." Her fame escalated through her participation in Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City." Capitalizing on her increased visibility, Frankel founded Skinnygirl, a lifestyle brand which propelled her entrepreneurial career. She has also authored several books and is involved in philanthropic endeavors.
November 4, 1970: Bethenny Frankel's Birth
On November 4, 1970, Bethenny Frankel, also known as Bethenny Parisella, was born. She later became an American entrepreneur, television personality, philanthropist, and author.
1988: Graduation from Pine Crest School
In 1988, Bethenny Frankel graduated from Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
1992: Moved to Los Angeles with Acting Aspirations
In 1992, Bethenny Frankel moved to Los Angeles with hopes of becoming an actress and worked as an assistant to Kathy Hilton, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Linda Bruckheimer, eventually starting her first company, "In Any Event", a party-planning business.
1996: Married Peter Sussman
In 1996, Bethenny Frankel married entertainment executive Peter Sussman.
1997: Divorced Peter Sussman
In 1997, Bethenny Frankel divorced entertainment executive Peter Sussman.
2003: Started BethennyBakes
In 2003, Bethenny Frankel started BethennyBakes, a baking business that made egg-free, wheat-free and dairy-free cookies and meal delivery in New York City.
2005: Runner-up on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart
In 2005, Bethenny Frankel was the runner-up on the NBC reality competition series "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart", which increased her public profile.
2006: BethennyBakes Closed
In 2006, Bethenny Frankel's baking business, BethennyBakes, closed. Frankel then became a spokesperson for Pepperidge Farms low-calorie line of bread.
2008: Starred in The Real Housewives of New York City
In 2008, Bethenny Frankel began starring in the Bravo reality television series "The Real Housewives of New York City", which premiered in March.
March 2009: Published Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting
In March 2009, Bethenny Frankel's book, "Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting", was published.
September 2009: Posed nude for PETA billboard
In September 2009, Bethenny Frankel posed nude for a PETA billboard for its "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign.
2009: Created Skinnygirl Margarita
In 2009, Bethenny Frankel created a pre-packaged margarita line named Skinnygirl Margarita, which became the foundation for Skinnygirl Cocktails.
March 2010: Married Jason Hoppy
In March 2010, Bethenny Frankel married pharmaceutical sales executive Jason Hoppy.
June 2010: Appeared in Bethenny Getting Married?
In June 2010, Bethenny Frankel appeared in the Bravo reality series "Bethenny Getting Married?" (later retitled "Bethenny Ever After"), which documented her engagement and marriage to Jason Hoppy as well as the birth of their daughter.
September 2010: Exit from The Real Housewives of New York City
In September 2010, Bethenny Frankel announced her exit from "The Real Housewives of New York City" following its third season.
2010: Continued role in The Real Housewives of New York City
In 2010, Bethenny Frankel continued starring in "The Real Housewives of New York City", continuing her role in the Bravo reality television series.
2010: Bethenny Ever After Aired
In 2010, Bethenny Frankel's spin-off series "Bethenny Ever After" aired its first season.
2010: Released exercise DVD, Body by Bethenny, and an audiobook, The Skinnygirl Rules
In Spring 2010, Bethenny Frankel released an exercise DVD called "Body by Bethenny", and an audiobook, "The Skinnygirl Rules", which summarized her two prior books.
June 2011: Taped the pilot of talk show, Bethenny
In June 2011, Bethenny Frankel taped the pilot of a talk show, "Bethenny".
2011: Published A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life
In 2011, Bethenny Frankel published "A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life".
2011: Sold Skinnygirl Cocktails
In 2011, Bethenny Frankel sold the Skinnygirl Cocktails line to Beam Global for a reported $120 million, retaining the Skinnygirl brand name.
December 2012: Separated from Jason Hoppy
In December 2012, Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy separated.
December 2012: Published Skinnydipping
In December 2012, Bethenny Frankel published her novel, "Skinnydipping".
2012: Bethenny Ever After Aired last season
In 2012, "Bethenny Ever After" aired its third and final season.
2012: Test Run of Bethenny Talk Show
In 2012, Bethenny Frankel's talk show "Bethenny" had a test run in limited markets.
January 2013: Filed for divorce from Jason Hoppy
In January 2013, Bethenny Frankel filed for divorce from Jason Hoppy.
September 2013: Official Premiere of Bethenny Talk Show
In September 2013, Bethenny Frankel's syndicated daytime talk show "Bethenny" officially premiered.
2013: Bethenny Talk Show Premiere
In 2013, Bethenny Frankel headlined the Fox daytime talk show "Bethenny", which premiered in September.
February 2014: Cancellation of Bethenny Talk Show
In February 2014, Bethenny Frankel's talk show "Bethenny" was canceled after one season.
June 2014: Reached Temporary Custody Agreement
In June 2014, Bethenny Frankel reached a temporary custody agreement with Jason Hoppy.
2014: Bethenny Talk Show Cancellation
In February 2014, Bethenny Frankel's Fox daytime talk show "Bethenny" was canceled after one season.
April 2015: Rejoined The Real Housewives of New York City
In April 2015, Bethenny Frankel rejoined "The Real Housewives of New York City" for its seventh season.
2015: Continued role in The Real Housewives of New York City
In 2015, Bethenny Frankel continued starring in "The Real Housewives of New York City", continuing her role in the Bravo reality television series.
July 2016: Financial Settlement Reached
In July 2016, Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy reached a financial settlement.
2016: Started dating Dennis Shields
In 2016, Bethenny Frankel started dating banker Dennis Shields.
2017: BStrong disaster relief efforts
In 2017, Bethenny Frankel's organization, BStrong, raised $300,000 for victims of Hurricane Harvey, traveled to Mexico following the Puebla earthquake, and chartered four planes to Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria relief.
April 2018: Engaged to Dennis Shields
In April 2018, Dennis Shields proposed to Bethenny Frankel, and she wore his engagement ring.
August 2018: Death of Dennis Shields
In August 2018, Dennis Shields, who was dating Bethenny Frankel, was found dead of an apparent accidental overdose of pain medication after back surgery.
December 2018: Hospitalized for Fish Allergy
In December 2018, Bethenny Frankel was hospitalized after consuming soup that contained fish, due to her severe fish allergy.
2018: Bethenny & Fredrik Aired
In 2018, "Bethenny & Fredrik" aired for one season.
March 2019: Signed Deal with MGM Television
In March 2019, it was reported that Bethenny Frankel had signed a deal with MGM Television to produce and star in future unscripted television projects.
2019: Continued role in The Real Housewives of New York City
In 2019, Bethenny Frankel continued starring in "The Real Housewives of New York City", continuing her role in the Bravo reality television series.
January 2021: Divorce Finalized
In January 2021, Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy's divorce was finalized.
June 2021: Departure from MGM Television
In June 2021, Bethenny Frankel announced she no longer had a deal with MGM Television and also announced her departure from "The Real Housewives of New York City" in August.
2021: Skinnygirl Cookware Line Premiered
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel developed a Skinnygirl cookware line sold at TJMaxx and Marshalls stores, which premiered in that year.
2021: Ended Relationship with Paul Bernon
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel ended her relationship with film producer and commercial real estate developer Paul Bernon after nearly six years.
2021: The Big Shot with Bethenny Aired
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel headlined "The Big Shot with Bethenny", which is an HBO Max reality competition series.
November 2022: Discussed Religious Identity and Criticized Kanye West
In a November 2022 episode of her podcast, "Just B With Bethenny Frankel", Bethenny Frankel discussed her religious identity and criticized Kanye West for antisemitic comments.
2022: BStrong Supported Ukraine
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bethenny Frankel's BStrong supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid.
2022: Named One of "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time"
In 2022, Bethenny Frankel was named one of "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time" by the Jewish Journal.
2023: Called for reality TV personalities to unionize
In 2023, amidst the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Bethenny Frankel called for reality television personalities to go on strike and to unionize, advocating for increased protections and worker's rights.
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