How did Bethenny Frankel's mom die? ‘RHONY’ star pens a touching tribute after her mother's tragic death

'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel is grieving the loss of her mother, Bernadette Birk
'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel lost her mother (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)
'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel lost her mother (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The 'Real Housewife of New York City' star Bethenny Frankel's mother Bernadette Birk has recently died of lung cancer. The Bravo star announced her mother's death and penned a thing tribute to her mother after the tragic death.

Bethenny did not share details about her mother's passing, but she said in an Instagram post that Bernadette left everything she had to Bethenny's daughter, Bryn and that she didn't want anyone except the Bravo star to be notified of her death. Bethenny also shared in an Instagram post that she had a "sixth sense" about Bernadette's passing.

Bethenny shared in a post, "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." However, in a separate tribute, Bethenny shared throwback photos with her mother enjoying the moment and claimed, "This is how I remember my mother..."

She further noted in the tribute, "What a profound, surreal transformative time of grief, therapy, intense childhood memories, and forgiveness this significant loss has been." Bravo star added, "I emerge sympathetic, nostalgic, and grateful for the beautiful “firefly” moments... and to my daughter for saving my life."

'RHONY' alum continued, "I have sifted through my adventurous yet complicated life with my mother and I will celebrate and remember this woman: the bold, brilliant, and beautiful Bonnie. The interior architect, world traveler, hopeless romantic, naturally chic, cultured, hilarious French speaking foodie... this was my mother."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bethenny Frankel (@bethennyfrankel)


 

Bethenny Frankel halts divorce podcast amid her mom's death

'RHONY' star Bethenny Frankel paused her pausing her popular iHeart Radio podcast, 'Just B Divorced with Bethenny Frankel', for a while after her mother Bernadette Birk's death. The Bravo star wanted to take time to grieve the death of her mother.

She took to her Instagram Stories and announced, "I have chosen to temporarily remove my divorce podcast as a result of an overwhelming response and an influx of messages that have converged with the most significant loss of my life." Bethenny further noted that it was impossible for her to 'grieve' and 'process' traumatic events at the same time.

'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel spills the beans on her divorce from ex Jason Hoppy (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)
'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel halts divorce podcast amid her mom's death  (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)

Bethenny Frankel's mom Bernadette once called her a 'moron' and 'liar'

Bethenny Frankel had a complicated relationship with her mother Bernadette Birk and fans have witnessed their drama. In a 2017 interview, Bernadette slammed her daughter's character and business skills when the Bravo show alum was scheduled to be a Shark Tank judge.

Bernadette said at the time, "She is a moron. She got very lucky, and she just knows how to surround herself with people who are intelligent. Bethenny is a liar and a shark. She ran through my guts. She will get along with the other sharks."

Bethenny Frankel's mom Bernadette once called her a 'moron' and 'liar' (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)
Bethenny Frankel's mom Bernadette once called her a 'moron' and 'liar' (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)

'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel reflects on reunion with her mom

'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel reflected on reconciliation with her mother Bernadette Birk during the Bravo show. After not speaking for nearly two decades, Bethenny shared with host Andy Cohen that she called her mother up because Bryn asked about her.

The Bravo star tearfully noted, "I don't how it made me feel," adding that she was going to 'honor her commitment' to Bryn and bring her to Florida so that she could meet her grandmother. However, Bethenny addressed her complicated relationship with her mother in her book 'A Place of Yes'.

She revealed that her mother was not the best caretaker, and she "never felt safe" growing up. Bravo alum wrote, "For me, my mom was a wild card. One minute she was my best friend. The next minute she was screaming."

'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel credits her daughter for their reunion (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)
'RHONY' alum Bethenny Frankel credits her daughter for their reunion (Instagram/@bethennyfrankel)

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Aspyn Ovard finally reveals the secret that destroyed her marriage on 'SLOMW: OC'
2026-11-12T10:53:45.000Z
Brady Booker injured himself on Day 4, when he accidentally cut off a quarter of his thumb
2026-11-12T09:47:56.000Z
Chris Harrison’s new dating show, ‘The Vow,’ was filmed in a scenic city that he describes as a love letter to Texas
2026-11-12T07:52:20.000Z
Chris Harrison looks back at the controversy surrounding his 2021 ‘Bachelor’ exit, explaining how his interview with Rachel Lindsay played a role in his departure
2026-11-12T07:02:50.000Z
The remaining teams advanced to Leg 8 of the competition, which began with a flight to Vientiane, Laos
2026-11-12T04:36:22.000Z
Jeff Probst brought back the Double Duo twist and shocked the participants in Season 51 Episode 8, titled 'Load the Ark, Two by Two'
2026-11-12T03:53:13.000Z
Former ‘Bachelor’ host Chris Harrison is back with a six-episode dating series featuring 10 women looking to build a genuine connection with bachelor Jace Cates
2026-11-12T03:47:40.000Z
Explore ‘The Circle’ filming locations, the apartments behind the catfish and what has changed as Season 8 brings the U.S. reality competition to Hulu.
2026-11-11T19:25:16.000Z
Anthony Mackie’s recent comments about filming sparked curiosity among fans about Vision’s possible appearance.
2026-11-11T07:46:48.000Z
Despite breaking her nose, Jenna Johnson delivered a salsa performance with Harry Shum Jr. that earned them 29 out of 30 points
2026-11-11T05:49:43.000Z