Bethenny Frankel's Mom Bernadette Birk Dies Of Lung Cancer At 73: She 'Had Demons'
Bethenny Frankel has announced the death of her mother, Bernadette Birk. She was 73.
The "Real Housewives of New York City" alum shared the sad news via Instagram Saturday that her mom died of lung cancer.
Alongside a series of throwback photos with Birk, Frankel wrote a lengthy tribute to her mom, in which she discussed the "demons" her mother battled throughout her life after leaving her allegedly "abusive" childhood home.
"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," the 53-year-old reality star wrote of Birk.
While Birk was "brilliant, funny, cultured and wise," Frankel said her mom also "suffered a lifelong eating disorder, alcoholism, abuse, smoking and self-destruction."
She claimed that Birk was not a good mother and that she had experienced "things no young child should endure" under her mom's care.
But the "Just B" podcast host acknowledged that her mom "loved" her and that she has "beautiful memories" of Birk, who taught her "food, wit, culture and strength" and was fond of dancing.
Frankel said it was her daughter who inspired her to reconcile with Birk nearly a decade ago as she wanted Bryn to know and love her grandmother.
According to the Skinnygirl founder, her "lifelong wish" that her mother "wasn't alone" in her final years was granted when Birk formed a close bond with Bryn.
"She was selfish in life, yet selfless in death," Frankel wrote of her mother, adding that Birk left all her possessions to Bryn.
Frankel went on to share that she not only mourns the loss of her mother but also her own childhood and Birk's "inability to experience motherhood," which the reality star described as "the most beautiful gift of a lifetime."
"Goodbye mom, Bonnie, Bernadette. You did the best you could and you are free and at peace," Frankel wrote.
She concluded her lengthy message by asking her followers to reach out to a person they have a "'complicated relationship" with and reconnect before it's too late.
Alongside the tribute, Frankel shared several photos with her mother, including one showing her in a wedding dress and bridal veil as she posed with Birk.
In another snap, the reality star can be seen sporting the same dress and veil as she danced with her mom during what appeared to be Frankel's 1996 wedding to her first husband, Peter Sussman.
Another photo appeared to have been taken at Birk's wedding to her second husband, John Parisella, in 1975.
A teenage Bethenny was also seen clinking empty wine glasses with her mom during dinner in the slideshow.
A more recent photo of Birk showed her being embraced by her granddaughter, Bryn.
Frankel previously claimed that Birk was "never a mother" to her and that she "never had a true childhood," according to Page Six.
But in 2016, she revealed during a 2016 episode of her "B Real With Bethenny" show that she decided to reconnect with Birk following 12 years of estrangement after Bryn asked if she could meet her mom's "mommy."
But Birk seemingly indicated during an interview with Radar at the time that there were still hurt feelings on both ends.
She told the outlet that Frankel technically did not reach out to her but rather Bryn did.
Asked if she hoped to meet her granddaughter, Birk said, "That would be nice. As far as Bethenny, I don't know how I would leave her out of the equation."
