In an extremely raw and vulnerable social media post, former Real Housewives star Bethenny Frankel breaks the news that her mom has passed away. Bernadette Birk died after a battle with lung cancer, per Bethenny’s post. Bernadette died at the age of 73 in Florida on April 19, 2024.
Bethenny Frankel has always been one to be candid and upfront. During her time on The Real Housewives of New York, she explained how her relationship with her mother was challenging. She reconnected with her mom because of her daughter, Bryn Hoppy. She also had a difficult relationship with her father, something she explained to Larry King almost 10 years ago.
Bethenny Frankel’s mom dies
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, April 20, Bethenny shared the tragic news her mother had passed away.
The former RHONY star began her caption: “My mother has died of lung cancer…”
Bethenny shared a slider of photos of herself with her mom, as well as some showing a sweet moment between her daughter, Bryn, and her mother, Bernadette, AKA Bonnie.
Bernadette’s tribute states she was born on November 4, 1950, and passed away on April 19, 2024, at the age of 73 in Sunrise, Florida.
Bethenny pays tribute
Former Bravo star Bethenny shared an in-depth tribute with her followers which saw many of her celebrity friends comment words of support.
Vicky Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County wrote: “I’m sorry for your loss. This was beautifully written. Peace be with you.”
Bethenny’s caption reads: “My mother has died of lung cancer. She was complex, in pain, isolated and had demons. She was the most stunning woman you have ever seen, who left her abusive home as quickly as I ran from mine. I was born on her bday.
She was brilliant, funny, cultured and wise — yet suffered a lifelong eating disorder, alcoholism, abuse, smoking, and self destruction. Despite not being equipped to be a mother, she loved me and I have beautiful memories of her.
She taught me food, wit, culture and strength. She loved to dance.”
Bethenny adds: “I won’t sugarcoat it. I was an adult long before Bryn’s age, experiencing things no young child should endure.
This made me strong, tough, a survivor who is able to handle anything. The universe gave me the most beautiful daughter and my childhood gave me inspiration to break the chain.”
The reality TV star continued to add how the two “reconnected so my daughter could know and love her.”
She said: “She adored Bryn and they shared a love of art. She had one friend, so my lifelong wish was granted that she wasn’t alone.”
Bethenny said of her late mother: “She was selfish in life, yet selfless in death. She left what little she had to my daughter, wished to be cremated, and wanted no one to be notified besides me.”
The former Real Housewife added how she “had a sixth sense” her mom had passed: “I had started to release some trauma, was dancing to the song “I’m alive” in her favorite designer Alaia dress as she was dying.”
She continued: “I remember her as a young woman during periods of happiness loving me and long for those memories of affection. I mourn her loss, her life, her loneliness and my childhood. I mourn her inability to experience motherhood, the most beautiful gift of a lifetime.
Goodbye mom, Bonnie, Bernadette. You did the best you could and you are free and at peace.
I miss my mommy as a little girl and I am grateful for my daughter consistently pushing to meet her and myself for re opening old wounds for their relationship.
I think of you on this journey with me releasing your trauma and I hug you. Life is about loss and loving. I have had shame in never really having family, yet my very small group of friends, my beautiful Bryn, and you are my family.
Ps. Please call, connect with, or hug someone you have a complicated relationship with today.”
Star reconciled with her mom
Many years before Bethenny’s mother’s death, the two reconnected because of Bethenny’s daughter, Bryn.
Speaking to Andy Cohen in 2017, Bethenny explained how her daughter asked if her grandparents were still alive, and if so, could she meet them.
This prompted Bethenny to reach out to her mom after 15 years of no contact.
She said she was going to “honor her commitment” and go to Florida to visit her mother with Bryn.
In the US, contact Cancer Care at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or visit this link. You can also call the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-234 or visit their website.
In the UK you can call Breast Cancer Now free on 0808 800 6000 or visit Cancer Research UK , or Macmillan Cancer Support.
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