Former Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel has been turning heads with her stunning beach looks during a luxurious family holiday in Saint Barthelemy. The 55-year-old entrepreneur was spotted wading in the turquoise waves, confidently displaying her toned 5ft 5in physique in a classic black-and-white gingham bikini.
Beach Walks and Toned Arms: Frankel's Fitness Philosophy
Accessorised with oversized white sunglasses and a sun hat, the television personality has previously attributed her enviable figure to a surprisingly simple routine. Frankel claims she maintains her slim shape primarily by 'walking on the beach.' In a candid TikTok video last August, she addressed her fitness regime directly, stating, 'I do have toned arms. I don't look, like, ripped.'
She elaborated, revealing a reluctance towards traditional gym workouts. 'Because I don't work out or do weights and I don't want judgment right now! But I know as you get older, you gotta build muscle mass and do weights - I don't want that.'
A New Year in Paradise and a Glimpse of a Mystery Man
The podcaster, who commands an audience of over 10.4 million social media followers, also celebrated the New Year on the idyllic island. She offered fans a look at the low-cut pink corseted dress she wore for the festivities, though the details of her celebration remain private. In a characteristically bold statement, the native New Yorker greeted the future, saying, 'Hey 2026: despite the beautiful haters, I'm still around and coming for you… xoxo!'
The holiday took an intriguing turn on Thursday when Frankel teased the presence of a mystery male companion. She shared a glimpse of the man photographing a local turtle at the exclusive St. Barts resort, sparking curiosity among her followers.
Family Time and a New Business Venture
Frankel arrived on the island on December 26th with her 15-year-old daughter, Bryn Hoppy, whom she affectionately calls 'Peanut.' She has full custody of Bryn from her three-year marriage to Jason Hoppy, a pharmaceutical sales executive. Their union ended formally in 2021 after a lengthy nine-year separation.
Amid the relaxation, business continues. On December 3rd, the 'Bravo-lebrity' launched an exclusive, intention-driven dating community named The Core. Her team is reportedly 'vetting thousands of applications' for the site, which has membership tiers priced from $50 to $1,200. Frankel explained her vision to the Daily Mail, criticising conventional dating apps. 'Swiping is a non-satisfying, anxiety-producing, distracting process,' she said. 'It is something to do once in a while for fun but it's not a sustainable model for the millions of people who genuinely want to meet their life partner.'
Frankel, who admitted to feeling lonely for the past five years, has been single since her relationship with Yapstone founder Tom Villante ended in 2024. This followed the conclusion of her on-and-off six-year engagement to Paul Bernon in March of the same year.
The founder of the BStrong disaster relief charity is a formidable business success story. She built a reported $80 million fortune, largely from the 2011 sale of her Skinnygirl empire to Beam Suntory for $100 million. She continues to receive payouts from the brand. Frankel first found fame as a runner-up on NBC's The Apprentice in 2005 before becoming a household name across eight seasons of RHONY.
