Bethenny Frankel Describes 'Strained' Relationship with Ex-Husband Jason Hoppy
The reality TV personality reflects on a decade-long divorce and custody battle, calling it 'the worst thing of my life.'
Bethenny Frankel has shared an update on her relationship with ex-husband Jason Hoppy, characterizing it as "strained" and "challenging" five years after their divorce was finalized. The reality TV personality described their decade-long legal entanglement as "horrible [and] horrendous" and the "worst thing" she has ever experienced.
Frankel, 55, was married to Hoppy, 56, from 2010 to 2012. They share a daughter, Bryn, born in 2010. Following their split, the former couple engaged in an eight-year divorce and custody battle, which concluded in 2021. In the same year, a judge ruled that Frankel was no longer obligated to pay child support to Hoppy, as Bryn primarily resided with her. The mother and daughter relocated from New York to Florida in 2025.
In a recent appearance on the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Frankel sarcastically noted that she and Hoppy now "coexist." When asked if she was on good terms with her ex, she replied, "Not exactly." She elaborated that the divorce and custody proceedings were traumatic, affecting "every single branch on the tree."
Frankel has previously spoken about the profound impact of the divorce. In December 2025, she stated on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast that the ordeal was more agonizing than her own tumultuous childhood, which included witnessing her mother's struggles with severe mental and physical health issues. She described the divorce as "torture" inflicted by someone who intended to cause her harm.
"I have lived my whole life chasing her into bathrooms, trying to catch her throwing up," Frankel tearfully recounted, comparing her mother's battles with bulimia and alcoholism to "child's play" relative to the divorce. She alleged the split involved "fraud, stealing, hacking and harassment," and mentioned that Hoppy was arrested and charged with harassment, aggravated harassment, and stalking in 2017. He subsequently accepted a plea deal involving an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal and agreed to comply with Frankel's order of protection.
Frankel estimated that she spent "millions of dollars" on legal fees, noting that lawyers described the case as unprecedented. She also revealed in 2024 that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the divorce, experiencing "massive trust issues."
"I've been burned. I have massive trust issues, and I have post-traumatic stress disorder," she said on her "Just B" podcast. "I have had every single f***ing thing except for physical abuse done to me, and I am an expert on this topic."
Frankel stated that the prolonged legal battle was "more tortuous than grief" and labeled it "mental and emotional torture." She expressed doubts about surviving the experience, feeling suffocated and believing she would be miserable forever, with her daughter Bryn being her sole motivation to persevere. She warned listeners to "always get a prenup" and trust their instincts, emphasizing that "cracks become craters."