History of Bethenny Frankel in Timeline
Bethenny Frankel, is an American television personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and author. She gained initial recognition as the runner-up on 'The Apprentice: Martha Stewart'. She's most famous as an original cast member of 'The Real Housewives of New York City', participating in 8 seasons. Frankel has also headlined spin-off series such as 'Bethenny Ever After' and 'Bethenny & Fredrik'. Additionally, she hosted the daytime talk show 'Bethenny' and the reality competition 'The Big Shot with Bethenny'.
November 4, 1970: Bethenny Frankel Born
On November 4, 1970, Bethenny Frankel, also known as Bethenny Parisella, was born. She is an American television personality, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and author.
1988: Graduated from Pine Crest School
In 1988, Bethenny Frankel graduated from Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
1992: Moved to Los Angeles
In 1992, Bethenny Frankel moved to Los Angeles with hopes of being an actress.
1996: Married Peter Sussman
In 1996, Bethenny Frankel married entertainment executive Peter Sussman.
1997: Divorced Peter Sussman
In 1997, Bethenny Frankel divorced 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
In 2005, Bethenny Frankel was the runner-up on the NBC reality competition series The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.
2006: BethennyBakes Closed
In 2006, Bethenny Frankel's baking business, BethennyBakes, closed.
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.
March 2009: Published Naturally Thin
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 was the foundation product 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: Exited 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: Starred in Bethenny Getting Married?
In 2010, Bethenny Frankel appeared in the Bravo reality series Bethenny Getting Married?, which documented her engagement and marriage to Jason Hoppy as well as the birth of their daughter.
2010: Released Body by Bethenny DVD and Skinnygirl Rules audiobook
In spring 2010, Bethenny Frankel released an exercise DVD, Body by Bethenny, and an audiobook, The Skinnygirl Rules, which summarized her two prior books.
June 2011: Taped the pilot of Bethenny talk show
In June 2011, Bethenny Frankel taped the pilot of a talk show, Bethenny. The syndicated daytime talk show was created and co-produced by Ellen DeGeneres.
2011: Published A Place of Yes
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's cocktail line was sold to Beam Global for a reported $120 million, but Frankel kept the Skinnygirl brand name.
December 2012: Published Skinnydipping
In December 2012, Bethenny Frankel published a novel, Skinnydipping.
December 2012: Separated from Jason Hoppy
In December 2012, Bethenny Frankel separated from Jason Hoppy.
2012: Bethenny talk show test run
In 2012 Bethenny Frankel's syndicated daytime talk show had a test run in limited markets.
2012: Bethenny Ever After Ended
In 2012, Bethenny Frankel's spin-off series Bethenny Ever After, which aired three seasons, ended.
January 2013: Filed for divorce from Jason Hoppy
In January 2013, Bethenny Frankel filed for divorce from Jason Hoppy.
September 2013: Premiered Bethenny talk show
In September 2013, Bethenny Frankel's syndicated daytime talk show Bethenny officially premiered.
2013: Headlined Bethenny talk show
From 2013 to 2014, Bethenny Frankel headlined the Fox daytime talk show Bethenny.
February 2014: Canceled Bethenny talk show
In February 2014, Bethenny Frankel's syndicated daytime talk show Bethenny was canceled after one season, although episodes continued to run since 170 were taped.
June 2014: Reached temporary custody agreement
In June 2014, Bethenny Frankel reached a temporary custody agreement with Jason Hoppy.
2014: Bethenny talk show ended
From 2013 to 2014, Bethenny Frankel headlined the Fox daytime talk show Bethenny, until it ended.
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.
July 2016: Reached financial settlement with Jason Hoppy
In July 2016, Bethenny Frankel reached a financial settlement with Jason Hoppy.
2016: Began dating Dennis Shields
In 2016, Bethenny Frankel began dating banker Dennis Shields.
2017: BStrong raised donations for victims of Hurricane Harvey and Puebla earthquake
In 2017, Bethenny Frankel's organization, BStrong, raised $300,000 in donations and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, and also raised $150,000 for the recovery efforts following the Puebla earthquake in Mexico.
April 2018: Engaged to Dennis Shields
In April 2018, Dennis Shields proposed to Bethenny Frankel and she wore his engagement ring, though the relationship was on-again, off-again.
August 2018: Dennis Shields found dead
In August 2018, Bethenny Frankel's boyfriend, Dennis Shields, was found dead of an apparent accidental overdose of pain medication after back surgery.
December 2018: Hospitalized due to fish allergy
In December 2018, Bethenny Frankel was hospitalized after consuming soup that contained fish due to her severe fish allergy.
2018: Starred in Bethenny & Fredrik
In 2018, Bethenny Frankel starred in Bethenny & Fredrik, which aired for one season.
March 2019: Signed deal with MGM Television
In March 2019, Bethenny Frankel signed a deal with MGM Television and its chairman, Mark Burnett, to produce and star in future unscripted television projects.
January 2021: Divorce from Jason Hoppy finalized
In January 2021, Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy's divorce was finalized.
June 2021: Announced she no longer had a deal with MGM Television
In June 2021, Bethenny Frankel announced she no longer had a deal with MGM Television.
2021: Skinnygirl cookware line premiered
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel developed a Skinnygirl cookware line sold at TJMaxx and Marshalls stores, which premiered.
2021: Ended relationship with Paul Bernon
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel ended her relationship with film producer and commercial real estate developer Paul Bernon, to whom she was engaged.
2021: Headlined The Big Shot with Bethenny
In 2021, Bethenny Frankel headlined the HBO Max reality competition series The Big Shot with Bethenny.
November 2022: Discussed religious identity on podcast
In a November 2022 episode of her podcast, Just B With Bethenny Frankel, Frankel described her religious identity and criticized Kanye West for antisemitic comments.
2022: BStrong supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid
In 2022, Bethenny Frankel supported Ukraine with humanitarian aid through her organization BStrong during the Russian invasion.
2022: Named one of the Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time
In 2022, the Jewish Journal named Bethenny Frankel one of "The Top 10 Jewish Reality TV Stars of All Time".
2023: Called for reality TV personalities to unionize
In 2023, in the wake of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Bethenny Frankel called for reality television personalities to go on strike and to unionize, citing exploitation and the need for increased protection and worker's rights.
