How Bethenny Frankel Achieved a Net Worth of $25 Million
Reality star, author and business woman Bethenny Frankel has created an empire worth at least $25 million. With a difficult childhood, Frankel learned to hustle early on. She built successful businesses and, despite not being married or a mother at the time, was offered a part in Bravo’s hit realty show “Real Housewives of New York” which helped her earn millions of dollars. She also created Skinnygirl Cocktails which has become a global lifestyle brand. She also continued to create television shows, started other businesses and is a successful author of self help books.
Here’s how Bethenny Frankel achieved a net worth of $25 million.
A difficult childhood
Bethenny Frankel was born in New York City on November 4, 1970. Her dad, Robert Frankel, was a horse trainer and her mom, Bernadette Birk, was an interior designer. After their divorce in 1974, Bethenny’s dad left the family and caused trouble with Bethenny’s mom and stepfather. Bethenny describes her childhood as difficult but was able to complete her education at Boston University and New York University. After graduation, Bethenny moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. To make ends meet, she started whatever business she could think of. She became a successful importer of pashminas.
Early success
Bethenny eventually returned to New York City and began a career as a natural food chef. She worked as a private chef and created her own company, Bethenny Bakes. In 2005 she appeared on “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” and made it to the finals. Bethenny was hard working and successful in most of her endeavors. She describes her “big break” as her appearance on NBC’s Today Show where she was interviewed by Hoda Kotb and discussed food personalities. The appearance helped her become more recognizable.
RHNY
Perhaps Bethenny Frankel’s biggest break was being asked to join the cast of Bravo’s reality show “Real Housewives of New York”. She was approached to join the show while attending a Polo event in the Hamptons. Bethenny was reluctant to join the show. She really had no desire to appear on realty television, and she was neither a housewife or a mother at the time. Bethenny did join the show’s first season in 2008 and instantly connected with fans because she was relatable. While appearing on the show, Bethenny wrote the best seller “Naturally Thin” which is described as an “anti-diet” self help book. She launched spin offs on Bravo, “Bethenny Ever After” which ran from 2010 to 2012 and “Bethenny” from 2012 to 2014. She also founded the successful company “Skinnygirl Cocktails”.
Skinnygirl Cocktails
In 2009 Bethenny Frankel started the Skinnygirl Cocktail company. The brand initially sold ready to drink margaritas that were low calorie. The brand is one of the fasted growing in the world and expanded to include wines, flavored vodkas and pina colada mix. Bethenny sold the company to Beam Global in 2011. It’s unknown what the amount is that she sold it for, but it could be as much as $100 million. Bethenny retained the naming rights to Skinnygirl.
Personal life
Mostly because of “Real Wives of New York” Bethenny Frankel’s personal life has been drawn into the spotlight. She was briefly married in 1996. Her marriage to Jason Hoppy, a pharmaceutical sales representative, in 2010 was featured on the realty show as well as her pregnancy and the birth of their daughter, Brynn. Unfortunately, Jason and Bethenny divorced and went through a terrible custody battle. The divorce was finally settled in 2016. Bethenny’s personal relationships were in the spotlight again in August 2018 when her on/off boyfriend Dennis Shields died. His death is listed as undetermined but suspected as an overdoes. Despite of her personal problems and in spite of her successful career, Bethenny Frankel maintains that the center of her life is her 8 year old daughter.
What she does now and how much she earns
Bethenny Frankel continues a successful career in realty television and business. In 2017 she joined with One Jeanswear Group and launched the brand Skinnygirl Jeans. She also launched Skinnygirl Market Fresh Deli. Bethenny appeared on Season 9 of “Shark Tank” as a guest inventor. In 2018 Bethenny joined real estate entrepreneur, Fredrik Ekland, for the Bravo realty show “Bethenny and Fredrik”. Bethenny earns a salary of $1 million from Bravo. She also reportedly earns between $10,000 and $30,000 for her Instagram posts. In addition to her business endeavors and television appearances, Bethenny launched B Strong. The group helps provide disaster relief with its Delivering Goods campaign and helps women in need including the Dress for Success campaign. Bethenny is also a longtime reporter or PETA.