Skip to main content

Bethenny Frankel Slammed for Buying ‘Iconic’ Car: ‘It’s a Little Painful’

RHONY alum Bethenny Frankel has her followers divided as she reveals she just purchased a new car this summer. The Bravo star is an OG of the New York City franchise, and despite no longer appearing on the show as a housewife, Bethenny is often still hitting the headlines. It seems fans can’t get enough of her.

After rising to fame 16 years ago, Bethenny Frankel still has fans and critics weighing in on what she gets up to in her life. Whether she’s vacay-ing with her daughter, or taking to her podcast, or talking about her divorce, it seems people are all ears. Bravo star Bethenny suffered the loss of her mom, Bernadette Birk, in April this year. Bernadette was 73 years old when she died from lung cancer.

Photo by John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images



Bethenny Frankel bags classic car

When Bethenny’s mother, Bernadette, died in April, the RHONY alum said she was “in pain” and “isolated.”

Bethenny made it no secret that she had a challenging relationship with her mom. She shared regrets she had from her childhood.

Now, the former reality TV star is putting a positive spin on things as she reveals she’s purchased a Mercedes with her late mother in mind.

RHOC: Gina and Travis still don’t live together after five years

She tells her Instagram followers: “It has a sentimental meaning because my mother, my real father, and my stepfather always had this car growing up. When my mother passed away, I saw a picture of her in this car.”

Bethenny explains how she was driving one day and saw the car with a for sale sign, speaking of the vehicle and her mom, she said: “It was quintessentially her.”



It turns out Bethenny is a motorhead as she tells her fans: “I collect cars… I haven’t posted many of them because I don’t want to be insensitive and I just haven’t known if I should post a car tour…”

The classic car news captured the attention of a fellow former Real Housewife, Kathy Wakile.

Kathy comments on the Instagram post: “I’m obsessed we have one in red. We are also a bit crazy with vintage cars. Love that you appreciate this iconic Benz.”

Former RHOC star Elizabeth Vargas also comments: “Don’t tell me it’s Rod Stewart’s wife’s Ferrari! I put a bid in and I didn’t get it!”

More fans write: “That’s my favorite car of all time. So happy for you!”

Another appears to have fallen in love with Bethenny’s story, commenting: “Imagine your daughter driving it one day…what a way to come full circle! Congrats!”



Bethenny’s post is ‘tone-deaf’, say critics

Despite many fans getting excited about Bethenny’s new purchase, some were quick to critique the former Real Housewives star’s move.

One comments: “A little tone-deaf, dear darlin’. You deserve it all, honestly won, but in these times it’s a little painful.”

Some think the famous face is “flaunting her wealth,” while more went as far as to suggest what the Bravo star does with her own money.

“How about you give that money to charity or use it to help others in some way? That’d be true wealth.”

Another says the post is “contradictory,” commenting: “You don’t want to show your cars and be insensitive … instead, you announce a collection. You’re a contradiction of yourself!”

However, other people are defending Bethenny in the comments, writing about how she should be able to post whatever she likes: “You show us all kinds of pretty things without worrying about being insensitive and I like that. Show us everything. If someone can’t handle it, they should stop following.”



SAVAGE: Jen Pedranti still ‘looks up to’ Emily Simpson after Rolex remarks