Is it true that Bethenny Frankel is leaving ‘Real Housewives of New York City’?

We hope not, Bethenny Frankel is the best part of the New York Housewives franchise. Read on for the tea…

CelebNReality247.com is hearing that Bethenny Frankel, 48, has announced she will step down from her role in the long-running Bravo franchise ahead of its 12th season.

Bethenny Frankel has been part of the series since 2008, and is a household name thanks to the success of the Bravo series.

Now, Bethenny has new plans in store for her next chapter. She revealed the who what when and why she is leaving the statement below:

In a statement to Variety, Bethenny said:

I have decided to leave the ‘Housewives’ franchise to explore my next chapter. 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.

Bethenny started on the show in its premiere season over a decade ago. She stepped away in 2010 and returned in 2015. Since then she has been lightening up the TV screen, but she is done with it.

The star’s decision to leave the show comes as she’s faced a difficult year, which has seen her mourn the death of her late ex-boyfriend Dennis Shields in August last year, and suffering a near-fatal allergic reaction to fish in December, before almost coming into contact with the food on two other occasions when airlines refused to stop serving it on board their flights.

Then, in March, Bethenny revealed she had been diagnosed with the leaky gut syndrome – a condition in which the gut leaks and allows potentially harmful substances like bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.

Frankel told her many fans on social media:

Just when you thought it couldn’t get sexier, I was diagnosed today with ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and a wheat allergy. Could there be a more vile title? That I wouldn’t have put on my dating profile. (sic)

Bethenny started on the show in its premiere season over a decade ago, before leaving for several years in 2010. She rejoined during the seventh season in 2015 and has stayed on screens up until her latest departure.