The One Rule Bethenny Frankel Believes Divorcing Parents Should Follow

Bethenny Frankel reflects on her long and difficult divorce, which was more challenging than the turbulent environment of her upbringing.

On a recent episode of the podcast 'Call Her Daddy,' Frankel recounted her near decade-long divorce from Jason Hoppy, describing it as more tumultuous than her chaotic childhood experiences.

Frankel shared vivid memories from her youth, involving emergencies with her mother, brushes with guns and the mafia, and witnessing violence. Despite these intense experiences, she confessed that the divorce felt like a greater ordeal.

Frankel, previously a star of 'The Real Housewives of New York City,' married businessman Jason Hoppy in 2010. The couple had a daughter, Bryn, soon after. The couple announced their split in 2012, finalizing their divorce in 2021.

Recalling the separation, Frankel admitted, 'Ten years of my life were marked by this. At times, it felt as though I wouldn't make it through.' She revealed thoughts of never regaining happiness, but her daughter became her reason to endure.

Amidst the turbulence, Frankel made it a point to never speak negatively of Hoppy in Bryn's presence. 'Though she might have sensed tension, I refrained from verbalizing it,' Frankel explained.

She further emphasized the importance of keeping negativity away from children during a divorce. 'It's essential to remember that disparaging the other parent is one of the worst things you can do to a child,' she warned.

Frankel makes a conscious effort to let Bryn feel loved and supported, often sharing stories from her own past and openly embracing therapy as a family practice.

Frankel is not alone in this perspective. In April 2023, Jennifer Garner shared with Stellar Magazine her strategy to prevent exposing herself or her ex, Ben Affleck, to unnecessary media scrutiny, opting to avoid reading articles about them.

Similarly, Gwyneth Paltrow explained in a Bustle interview that she and Chris Martin aimed to make their divorce as smooth as possible for their children. They worked hard to ensure the children never felt caught between their parents.