Bethenny Frankel TRASHES Her Mother In Death Announcement ‘She Had Demons’
Bethenny Frankel TRASHES Her Mother In Death Announcement ‘She Had Demons’
Former reality star and podcaster, Bethenny Frankel, 53, announced the passing of her mother, Bernadette Birk, also known as Bonnie, through an Instagram post on Saturday, April 20.
Birk succumbed to lung cancer, as shared by Bethenny in her heartfelt tribute. The Instagram post included a collection of images featuring Birk throughout the years. Despite a challenging relationship, Bethenny was often pictured alongside her mother in several of the photographs.
The final image in the set depicted Bethenny’s daughter, Bryn Hoppy, alongside her grandmother, both clad in blue attire. Birk’s passing was confirmed by a Neptune Society obituary, revealing her age at the time of death as 73.
“My mother has died of lung cancer. She was complex, in pain, isolated and had demons,” Bethenny began the caption of her post. “She was the most stunning woman you have ever seen, who left her abusive home as quickly as I ran from mine.”
“She was brilliant, funny, cultured and wise — yet suffered a lifelong eating disorder, alcoholism, abuse, smoking and self destruction,” her caption continued.
Bethenny reflected on her mother, Bernadette Birk, acknowledging that while Birk may not have been “equipped to be a mother,” she still held love for her daughter.
Bethenny shared that despite their challenges, she cherishes beautiful memories of her mother, who imparted lessons on food, wit, culture, and strength. Bethenny’s openness about her relationship extends to both her parents, including her late father, Bobby Frankel, whose passing occurred in 2009 during the filming of season 3 of The Real Housewives of New York City.
“I never had a true childhood,” she said at the time. “There was a lot of destruction: alcohol abuse, eating disorders and violent fights.”
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In her 2011 book “A Place of Yes,” Bethenny candidly revealed that her mother struggled with alcoholism and failed to provide a “safe” environment during her upbringing.
In her April 20 Instagram post, Bethenny reflected on her challenging childhood with her mother, expressing that it made her “strong, tough, a survivor who is able to handle anything.”
Despite their tumultuous history, Bethenny revealed that she was determined to forge a different relationship with her own daughter, Bryn Hoppy. It was Hoppy who inspired Bethenny to reconnect with her mother, as they shared a love of art. Bethenny disclosed that her mother left her assets to Hoppy, emphasizing the bond they shared. Additionally, Bethenny admitted to having a “sixth sense” about her mother’s passing before receiving the news.
“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 revealed.
“I remember her as a young woman during periods of happiness loving me and long for those memories of affection,” she continued. “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.”
“You did the best you could and you are free and at peace,” the podcaster wrote to Birk.
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Avigail is an Entertainment blogger at All About The Tea, who specializes in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She’s a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas, with a passion for travel, writing, reality TV watching, pop culture and spoken word.