On April 20, 2024, Bethenny Frankel shared the sad news of her mother, Bernadette Birk’s passing due to lung cancer at the age of 73.
Birk, who was once an interior designer and model, had a complicated relationship with her daughter, Bethenny.
Bethenny described her mother as a “beautiful Michelle Pfeiffer lookalike” but also revealed that Birk was “never a mother” to her and was “extremely volatile.” Their relationship was strained, with Bethenny expressing that she never felt safe growing up and that her mother did not know how to raise her.
Despite their complicated past, Bethenny did manage to reconnect with Bernadette so she could meet Bethenny’s daughter, Bryn. In her tribute to her late mother on Instagram, Bethenny shared that Bernadette adored Bryn and that they had the opportunity to bond over their love for art. She acknowledged that her mother had her flaws but also noted that she would cherish the memories they shared.
Bethenny also expressed her sadness over the loss of her mother, highlighting the struggles Bernadette faced with eating disorders, alcoholism, and self-destruction. Despite not being equipped to be a mother, Bethenny acknowledged that her mother did love her in her own way.
In her heartfelt tribute, Bethenny said goodbye to her mom, acknowledging the complexities of their relationship but also expressing a sense of peace for her mother. The reality star mourned the loss of her mother’s life, her struggles, and her inability to experience motherhood fully, recognizing that despite everything, Bernadette did the best she could.
