Real Housewives of New York alum Bethenny Frankel has certainly been through a lot in the past couple of years. But the death of her on-and-off boyfriend Dennis Shields in August of 2018 from a suspected drug overdose hit Bethenny hard.
During Season 11 of RHONY, Bethenny told co-star Dorinda Medley that Dennis had actually proposed, and even bought her daughter, Bryn Hoppy, a ring, too. That is just so heartbreaking.
Bethenny later found love again with Paul Bernon, who is a film producer and real estate developer. Paul seems to value his privacy, and his reluctance to appear on-camera could possibly be a factor in Bethenny quitting RHONY.
It is clear that Bethenny is still mourning the loss of Dennis. Bethenny wrote a touching Instagram tribute for Dennis on his birthday.“Happy Birthday Dennis… Thinking of you today and every day. It’s been tough recently because the world lost another legend and so many innocent lives. You are gone but never will be forgotten. You are missed. You are constantly quoted. You are one of a kind,” Bethenny said. “You are eating multiple Nestle crunch bars, Sprites, and JG Mellon double cheese cheeseburgers in heaven, and now you have an amazing basketball player to watch and bet on up there.”
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She continued, “You would be proud of my decisions and the evolution of my career and my life. You would be so excited about all of the announcements coming soon. You were my biggest cheerleader and were positive about a future for me that I never imagined possible,” the Skinnygirl mogul wrote. “Bryn is still “’sweet as sugar’” as you always refer to her and she misses your blindfolded food tasting contests and leaving trails of chocolate chips. You were right about @biggysmallz being the greatest dogs. Bryn tells everyone: “’Dennis has had more than 30 dogs and says he has never met sweeter dogs.’”
Bethenny then mentioned her new love. “We are in good hands with Paul, who you would like and respect and vice versa. He looks out for us and is very caring. You always said I would find someone who would take care of me. We miss you,” Bethenny posted. “Happy Birthday! I know they have peanut butter chocolate cake and Hemingway in heaven. Everyone misses you and you are still the center of attention-just how you secretly like it. Xoxo- P.S. I hope @cookiedabooboo is giving you great snuggles at the [rainbow] bridge.” Cookie was Bethenny’s elderly dog that passed away.
RELATED: Bethenny Frankel Posts Moving Tribute To Dennis Shields One Year After His Death
Bethenny ended the emotional post with a photo of Dennis walking on the beach, and with two quotes from Ernest Hemingway: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places,” and “Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”
TELL US: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BETHENNY’S TRIBUTE FOR DENNIS? WILL YOU MISS BETHENNY ON RHONY?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]