Bethenny Frankel’s Net Worth: How the Reality Star Built Her Multi-Million Dollar Empire

Bethenny Frankel is widely known for her role on The Real Housewives of New York City, but her wealth extends far beyond reality television. Over the years, she has built a diversified business portfolio that includes beverage brands, media ventures, real estate, book publishing and strategic investments.

So, what is Bethenny Frankel’s net worth, and how did she build it?

What Is Bethenny Frankel’s Net Worth?

Bethenny Frankel’s net worth is widely estimated to be between $80 million and $85 million, according to multiple publicly reported sources.

While figures vary depending on valuation methods and asset assessments, most analysts agree that her fortune was largely built through:

• The sale of her Skinnygirl cocktail brand
• Reality television earnings
• Investments in startup companies
• Book sales and media ventures
• Real estate transactions

She is not a billionaire, but she remains one of the most financially successful personalities to emerge from the Real Housewives franchise.

Reality Television Earnings

Bethenny first gained national attention in 2005 as a finalist on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Although she did not win, the exposure helped launch her public career.

She later joined The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) in 2008 and appeared in eight non-consecutive seasons. In a 2023 social media post, she revealed she earned $7,250 for her first season.

Her salary reportedly increased significantly in later seasons, with estimates suggesting she earned tens of thousands per episode.

She also starred in spin-off series including:

• Bethenny Getting Married? (later retitled Bethenny Ever After)
• Skating with the Stars

Reality television helped establish her public brand, but it was only the beginning of her financial growth.

Skinnygirl: The Game-Changer

The defining moment in Bethenny Frankel’s wealth-building journey came in 2009 when she launched Skinnygirl, beginning with a pre-packaged margarita line.

In 2011, she sold Skinnygirl Cocktails to Beam Global (now part of Suntory) in a deal widely reported to be worth between $100 million and $120 million. Importantly, she retained rights to the Skinnygirl brand name, allowing her to expand into:

• Popcorn
• Salad dressings
• Coffee
• Supplements
• Apparel (including Skinnygirl jeans)

By keeping brand control, she turned a single product into a lifestyle business.

In 2019, she reportedly sold a portion of the broader Skinnygirl brand while maintaining creative involvement.

Investments and Business Ventures

Beyond Skinnygirl, Bethenny has demonstrated strong investment instincts.

Cameo Investment

In 2018, she invested in Cameo, a platform allowing fans to purchase personalized videos from celebrities. She has publicly stated that the investment generated significant returns.

Mingle Mocktails

In 2023, she invested in Mingle Mocktails, a Philadelphia-based company specializing in non-alcoholic sparkling cocktails.

These investments reflect her broader strategy of backing consumer-focused lifestyle brands.

Books and Media Projects

Bethenny is a multiple-time bestselling author with several titles, including:

• Naturally Thin
• The Skinnygirl Dish
• A Place of Yes
• I Suck at Relationships So You Don’t Have To

She has also produced and hosted:

• The Big Shot with Bethenny
• Just B with Bethenny Frankel (podcast)

These ventures expanded her brand beyond television into publishing and digital media.

Real Estate Portfolio

Bethenny Frankel has actively invested in real estate across New York, the Hamptons, and Connecticut.

Notable transactions include:

• A Tribeca loft purchased for nearly $5 million and later sold at a profit
• Hamptons properties that were rented for six-figure monthly sums
• Multiple Greenwich, Connecticut purchases and resales

Her real estate strategy has included both long-term ownership and short-term value appreciation sales.

Was Bethenny Frankel Born Rich?

No. Bethenny did not grow up in wealth.

Her father, Robert J. Frankel, was a horse trainer, and her mother worked in interior design. After her parents divorced, financial instability reportedly affected her early life.

She has frequently spoken about struggling financially in her 20s and 30s before her breakthrough in business.

Is Bethenny Frankel the Richest Housewife?

While she is one of the most financially successful former cast members of the Real Housewives franchise, reports often list Kathy Hilton from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills among the wealthiest in the broader franchise.

Bethenny remains one of the most self-made entrepreneurs from the series.

Bethenny Frankel’s net worth reflects strategic branding, smart negotiations and calculated risk-taking. While reality television gave her visibility, the sale of Skinnygirl and her diversified investments are what built her multi-million dollar empire.

Her financial journey highlights a key pattern: leveraging fame into ownership — not just appearances.