Bethenny Frankelmay have walked away fromThe Real Housewives of New York City,but she hasn’t walked down the aisle.
PEOPLE can confirm that the reality star did not secretly get married toreal estate developer and film producer Paul Bernon, whom she has been dating since last fall.
Fans speculated on Friday that the two had wed after Frankel, 48,teased on Twitterthat she had to leaveRHONYbecause she was “the only one that is actually married.”
As it turns out, Frankel was referencing estranged husband Jason Hoppy.
The two said their “I dos” in 2010, separated in December 2012, and filed for divorce a month later.
Though they reached a financial settlement in their contentious divorce in July 2016, the divorce itself is still not finalized and the exes have been embroiled in messy court proceedings ever since, with Frankel now seeking primary custody and full decision-making power over their 9-year-old daughter Bryn. They currently share custody and decision-making power.
Bethenny Frankel/Instagram
Though Frankel and Bernon, 41, aren’t wife and husband yet, their relationship has been going strong.
In July, the Skinnygirl founder posted a sweet tribute in honor of her boyfriend’s birthday.
“Buon compleanno, ti amo!” she captioned a slideshow of photos of the couple on vacation in Italy. (It means, “Happy birthday, I love you,” in Italian.)
“Happy Birthday, Paul,” she continued. “You are such a brilliant, sweet, beautiful, kind, hilarious person. You have enriched my life immeasurably. You make me laugh to the point of tears… You embrace my life, my spirit, my daughter, my career, my goals, and my choices. The very few people who truly know you are the luckiest people in the world.”
“You have literally and figurativelysaved my life,” she added, a nod to his assistance when she was hospitalized aftersuffering a near-fatal allergic reactionto fish in December.
“Peanut and I, and @biggysmallz, love you so much and are so lucky to have you in our lives,” she continued, referencing her 9-year-old daughter Bryn and her dogs, respectively. “Have the most incredible day ever!!!! May all of your wishes come true! #HappyBirthday #Celebration #Vacation#Travel #SummerVacation #Italy.”
Frankel and Bernon’s relationship became Instagram-official in December when Frankel shared two photos of the couplecelebrating Christmas togetherin the Dominican Republic.
Speaking to PEOPLE in April, Frankelraved about the relationship, saying she was “a lucky gal” and that “things between us are really nice.”
Earlier that month,during an appearanceonWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Frankel called her “incredible” boyfriend “a beautiful human being inside and out.”
“And yes, Bryn knows him and loves him,” she added. “They’re very, very similar people.”
The romance blossomed after the death of Frankel’s on-off boyfriendDennis Shields. Last August, the businessman wasfound deadof asuspected overdosein his Trump Tower apartment. He was 51.
Bernon has also supported Frankel during her divorce and custody battle. When she most recently faced off against Hoppy in March, he attended all five of the court dates, sitting quietly in the back row.
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
On Wednesday, Frankelannounced she would be leavingRHONY. She starred on Bravo reality series when it premiered back in 2008, left the series during season 3, and later rejoined during season 7.
As to what she’ll be up to next, Frankel will indeed be busy.
“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,” she continued. “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.”
source: people.com
