Bethenny Frankel is leaving Real Housewives of New York ahead of Season 12

Variety

This will be the second time the popular Real Housewives star is exiting the Bravo reality show. She first joined Real Housewives of New York with its first season in 2008, exiting during Season 3. She returned in Season 7 in 2015 and has made guest appearances on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills while also starring in spinoffs Bethenny Ever After and Bethenny & Fredrik. “I have decided to leave the Housewives franchise to explore my next chapter,” Frankel said in a statement. “It’s time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women. With the changes in modern culture, I want to highlight the strength, confidence and unstoppable power that women have. My experience at Bravo has been an incredibly magical ride. I am so grateful to them for highlighting my entrepreneurialism and allowing me to pave the way for many women to achieve their goals. I am excited for my future. The best is yet to come.” Bravo has yet to comment on Frankel's departure.