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Bethenny Frankel and Jason Hoppy: Years-Long Divorce and Custody Disputes
The relationship between reality television personality Bethenny Frankel and her former husband, Jason Hoppy, has remained strained following their protracted divorce proceedings and contentious custody arguments concerning their daughter.
A Tumultuous Union and Separation
Frankel and Hoppy, both 54, married in 2010 and welcomed their daughter, Bryn, the same year. Their separation occurred two years later, and the Real Housewives of New York City alumna initiated divorce proceedings in January 2013.
Subsequently, Frankel and Hoppy entered into a drawn-out legal battle to resolve the details of their divorce settlement. Child custody arrangements for Bryn became a major point of contention. Although they reached an initial accord in 2014, disagreements persisted.
Legal Battles and Restraining Order
In 2017, Hoppy faced arrest after allegedly making threats towards Frankel during an unscheduled visit to Bryn’s school. A six-month protective order was issued, prohibiting Hoppy from contacting Frankel in any manner.
Custody Trial and Divorce Finalization
The following year, Frankel pursued legal action to gain custody of Bryn, leading to a trial between Frankel and Hoppy in 2019.
Us Weekly reported in March 2021 that a judge officially finalized Frankel and Hoppy’s divorce two months prior. Details regarding their updated custody agreement have not been publicly disclosed. However, in December 2021, a judge decreed that Frankel was no longer obligated to provide child support payments to Hoppy, as Bryn was primarily residing with her. Hoppy did not contest this decision.
“I am removing myself from this ongoing dispute for Bryn and for my own physical, emotional, and mental well-being. I will not continue to engage in conflict throughout the remainder of Bryn’s childhood as we share joint physical custody,” he stated during the court hearing. “Bryn is aware of my love for her, my desire to be with her, and my constant availability for our designated time together.”
Emotional Impact of Divorce
Three years later, Frankel publicly discussed the significant impact her divorce from Hoppy had on her well-being.
“I have been deeply hurt by this experience, resulting in significant trust issues and post-traumatic stress. It was undeniably the most traumatizing ordeal I have ever endured and hopefully will ever endure,” she expressed on an April 2024 episode of her “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast. “I genuinely questioned my ability to overcome it. I felt trapped and saw no path forward. It was suffocating, and I believed misery would define the rest of my life.”
Relocation to Florida
Currently, Frankel and Bryn are preparing to move to Florida. (Hoppy reportedly maintains residence in New York.)
An insider exclusively informed Us that Bryn was a primary factor in Frankel’s decision to relocate.
“Bryn is Bethenny’s foremost priority, and the choice to move to Florida was entirely centered around supporting her,” a source close to Frankel revealed exclusively to Us. “This relocation is in direct response to Bryn’s academic and athletic aspirations, prioritizing her physical and emotional welfare above all else.”