Bethenny Frankel's Billion-Dollar Love Life: A Complete History Of Her Relationships, Engagements, And Her Current 2025 Status

The love life of Bethenny Frankel, the sharp-witted entrepreneur and founder of the Skinnygirl empire, has been as dramatic and public as her business success. From two marriages to a decade-long contentious divorce and a tragic loss, her journey through romance has been a central theme in her reality television career and public persona. As of December 2025, the latest news centers on her split from long-time fiancé Paul Bernon in May 2024 and a brief new relationship that has led to a surprising update on her current dating philosophy. This comprehensive timeline details every major relationship, engagement, and marriage that has defined the *Real Housewives of New York City* (RHONY) star's personal life, culminating in the most recent developments that have fans and media buzzing about her future.

Bethenny Frankel: Biography and Profile Snapshot

Bethenny Frankel is an American television personality, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, renowned for her candid demeanor and business acumen. Her life has been marked by significant professional achievements and highly-publicized personal relationships.

• Full Name: Bethenny Frankel
• Born: November 4, 1970
• Birthplace: New York City, New York
• Education: Boston University (Psychology)
• Daughter: Bryn Hoppy (born 2010)
• Career Highlights:
  • Contestant on *The Apprentice: Martha Stewart* (2005).
  • Original cast member on *The Real Housewives of New York City* (RHONY).
  • Creator of the global lifestyle brand Skinnygirl, which started with a line of low-calorie margaritas and was later sold for an estimated $100 million.
  • Star of spin-off shows *Bethenny Ever After* and *Bethenny & Fredrik*.
  • Author of several books, including *Naturally Thin* and *A Place of Yes*.
  • Founder of the BStrong disaster relief foundation.

1. The Secret First Marriage: Peter Sussman (1996–1997)

Long before the cameras and the Skinnygirl cocktails, Bethenny Frankel had a short-lived first marriage that remained largely out of the public eye for years. Her first husband was Peter Sussman, a film producer and entertainment executive.

The couple married in 1996 and divorced in 1997, a union that lasted barely a year. Frankel has since described the relationship as a learning experience, noting that Sussman was a former best friend whom she married quickly. The details of this brief marriage were not widely known until after her second, more high-profile marriage to Jason Hoppy had ended, highlighting a pattern of keeping parts of her personal life private despite her reality TV fame.

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2. The Reality TV Marriage and Decade-Long Divorce: Jason Hoppy (2010–2021)

Bethenny’s second marriage to pharmaceutical sales executive Jason Hoppy became a central storyline on *The Real Housewives of New York City* and their subsequent spin-off, *Bethenny Ever After*.

• Timeline: They began dating in 2008, married in 2010, and welcomed their daughter, Bryn Hoppy, shortly after.
• The Split: Frankel announced their separation in December 2012, and she filed for divorce in January 2013.
• The Contentious Aftermath: What followed was one of the most infamously protracted and bitter divorces in celebrity history, lasting nearly a decade. The legal battle included a contentious custody dispute over their daughter Bryn, as well as allegations of harassment.
• The Finalization: The divorce was finally finalized in January 2021, freeing Frankel to move forward with her life and future relationships. The emotional toll of the protracted legal process was significant, with Frankel later describing it as a grueling "marathon."

3. The Tragic Relationship: Dennis Shields (2016–2018)

Following the separation from Hoppy, Bethenny had an on-again, off-again relationship with businessman Dennis Shields. Their relationship was a significant part of her life and was featured on RHONY. Shields was a banker and an important figure in her life, having been a friend for years before they became romantically involved in 2016.

The relationship was complex, but it ended in tragedy in August 2018 when Shields passed away suddenly at the age of 51. His death was a devastating blow to Frankel, and she spoke openly about the profound grief and emotional impact it had on her and her daughter.

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4. The Long-Term Engagement and Quiet Split: Paul Bernon (2018–2024)

Shortly after the loss of Dennis Shields, Bethenny met film producer and real estate developer Paul Bernon on a dating app in late 2018. This relationship appeared to bring a new sense of stability and happiness to her life.

• The Engagement: Bernon proposed in March 2021, shortly after her divorce from Jason Hoppy was finalized. The engagement was celebrated by fans who were happy to see Frankel find peace after her tumultuous marriage.
• The Split: After six years together, including three years of engagement, news circulated that Bethenny Frankel and Paul Bernon had quietly split in May 2024. The breakup was reported as amicable, with the couple simply growing apart. Despite the end of the engagement, Bernon remains an entity in her life, as Frankel has spoken positively about their time together, emphasizing the maturity of their decision to separate.

5. The Current 2025 Dating Status: Tom Villante and a New Philosophy

The most current chapter in Bethenny Frankel’s dating history began in late 2024. In November 2024, the entrepreneur made her first public appearance with new boyfriend, businessman Tom Villante, at a New York premiere.

This public outing with Villante, a businessman whose profile quickly rose to prominence, suggested that Frankel was ready to re-enter the dating world after her six-year relationship with Bernon. However, the relationship may have been brief. Recent reports circulating in early 2025 suggest that the relationship with Villante was short-lived.

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Following the split from Bernon and the brief romance with Villante, Frankel has offered a surprisingly candid update on her current mindset. She has publicly spoken about currently being "afraid" to date and has even mentioned "embracing celibacy" as a new approach to her personal life. This marks a significant shift, as the reality star seems to be prioritizing self-reflection and her life with Bryn Hoppy over immediately pursuing a new long-term partner. As of December 2025, Bethenny Frankel is focused on her business, philanthropy through BStrong, and her role as a mother, choosing to navigate the dating scene with extreme caution and a focus on her well-being.