Kristina Bumphrey/Starpix/REX/Shutterstock
The end of an era! Bethenny Frankel has decided to leave The Real Housewives of New York City ahead of season 12.
After the news of her decision was reported, the 48-year-old shared an emotional message to her fans for “sticking with me through everything.”
“I wanted to take a moment to write a personal note to you. I am so grateful to you for sticking with me through everything. You started this journey with me in my tiny apartment in my late 30s, wondering what would happen to me. I was broke, single, had no family and no idea what the future held,” Frankel wrote on her Instagram on Wednesday. “I had big dreams and I never stopped, but I honestly didn’t know if I would ever get here. You helped me to get there.”
“I would read your letters and messages and grow from your struggles. You would give me your honest opinion about my products and projects and helpful advice about divorce, relationships, motherhood, miscarriages, health, and surviving the death of a loved one and almost my own. You have shared your ideas with me and I have been inspired by and learned from you,” she continued. “I am fortunate to have created a business and career that some people only dream of. I had a beautiful baby girl who is now 9 years old, and she has changed me as a human being. I was able to give back and help people all over the world who have been hit with the worst of unforeseen circumstances, which we will all continue together.”
She continued, “GO for it. Whatever it is. Reach for your dreams in life and love and make the impossible happen, because it can happen and it WILL happen. Come from a place of yes and it’s yours for the taking.”
“Thank you so much for your love and support. And stay tuned, you haven’t seen the last of me. There are many amazing things to come.
I love you all and am so lucky to have you in my life! PS: New York City is still my playground,” she concluded.
Before sharing her message to fans, Frankel also shared a statement about her decision, telling Variety, “I have decided to leave the ‘Housewives’ franchise to explore my next chapter. It’s time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women. With the changes in modern culture, I want to highlight the strength, confidence and unstoppable power that women have. My experience at Bravo has been an incredibly magical ride. I am so grateful to them for highlighting my entrepreneurialism and allowing me to pave the way for many women to achieve their goals. I am excited for my future. The best is yet to come.”
Frankel was one of the original cast members of RHONY when it premiered in 2008. Although she left the series in 2010, she rejoined in 2015, and her struggles have always been front and center on the show including revealing the painful toll her nasty divorce and custody fight with Jason Hoppy has taken on her as well as how devastated she was after the death of her on again/off again boyfriend Dennis Shields in August 2018.