Former ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ star Bethenny Frankel revealed on her podcast, “Just B,” that she is grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from her lengthy and tumultuous divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy. In a candid discussion, Frankel, 53, described her decade-long divorce as “more tortuous” than grieving the death of a loved one, emphasizing the profound impact it had on her mental and emotional well-being.
Frankel, known for her role on the reality TV show and her Skinnygirl brand, opened up about feeling suffocated and powerless during the divorce proceedings, which she characterized as “mental and emotional torture.” She recounted feeling like a “powerless, tortured” person and expressed disbelief at the extent of the trauma she endured. Frankel asserted that she had experienced every form of abuse except physical abuse, positioning herself as an expert on the topic.
Her divorce from Hoppy, which was filed in 2013, drew significant media attention due to its protracted nature and acrimony. Frankel acknowledged the impact of the divorce trauma on her current relationship with fiancé Paul Bernon, admitting uncertainty about marriage in the future. Despite her struggles, she expressed readiness to discuss her experiences openly, noting that her daughter Bryn, now 13, is aware of the details of the divorce.
Frankel’s candid revelations shed light on the unseen toll of high-profile divorces and underscore the importance of mental health awareness, particularly in navigating challenging life transitions.