Bethenny Frankel Announces Her Mother's Death, Pens Touching Tribute Detailing Their Complicated Relationship

Bethenny Frankel has announced the sad news that her mother has died following a battle with lung cancer.

The 53-year-old former Real Housewives of New York City star took to her Instagram account on Saturday (April 20) to share a touching tribute, in which she recounted her complicated relationship with her mother.

“My mother has died of lung cancer. She was complex, in pain, isolated and had demons. She was the most stunning woman you have ever seen, who left her abusive home as quickly as I ran from mine,” Bethenny began the tribute. “She was brilliant, funny, cultured and wise — yet suffered a lifelong eating disorder, alcoholism, abuse, smoking, and self destruction. Despite not being equipped to be a mother, she loved me and I have beautiful memories of her. She taught me food, wit, culture and strength. She loved to dance.”

Bethenny then talked about the tough memories.

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She continued, “I won’t sugarcoat it. I was an adult long before Bryn’s age, experiencing things no young child should endure. This made me strong, tough, a survivor who is able to handle anything. The universe gave me the most beautiful daughter and my childhood gave me inspiration to break the chain.”

“We reconnected so my daughter could know and love her. She adored Bryn and they shared a love of art. She had one friend, so my lifelong wish was granted that she wasn’t alone. She was selfish in life, yet selfless in death. She left what little she had to my daughter, wished to be cremated, and wanted no one to be notified besides me,” Bethenny said.

“I had a sixth sense she had passed. I had started to release some trauma, was dancing to the song ‘I’m alive’ in her favorite designer Alaia dress as she was dying,” Bethenny wrote. “I remember her as a young woman during periods of happiness loving me and long for those memories of affection. I mourn her loss, her life, her loneliness and my childhood. I mourn her inability to experience motherhood, the most beautiful gift of a lifetime.”

“Goodbye mom, Bonnie, Bernadette. You did the best you could and you are free and at peace. I miss my mommy as a little girl and I am grateful for my daughter consistently pushing to meet her and myself for re opening old wounds for their relationship. I think of you on this journey with me releasing your trauma and I hug you. Life is about loss and loving. I have had shame in never really having family, yet my very small group of friends, my beautiful Bryn, and you are my family,” she concluded. “Ps. Please call, connect with, or hug someone you have a complicated relationship with today.”

We’re sending our thoughts and condolences to Bethenny during this difficult time.

Bethenny was recently in the news after canceling one of her own projects.