The Real Housewives of New York Cityalum Bethenny Frankel has opened up about her dating fears in a raw TikTok video posted August 10, 2025. The 54-year-old entrepreneur admitted she’s struggling to re-enter the dating world after past relationship disappointments.
credit: instagram
“I’m afraid to date,” Frankel confessed in the selfie-style video. Comparing her hesitation to avoiding food that once made you sick, she explained: “You know you likely won’t get food poisoning again, but you just can’t bring yourself to eat it.”
Her Dating Pattern
The Skinnygirl founder described her current approach:
- “I dip my foot in and think I’m gonna do it”
- “Then I start talking to someone”
- “Then I run away”
She likened the experience to testing cold pool water: “I stick my foot in and think ‘It’s too cold’… until that pool warms up, I’m not dipping my toe in anymore.”
Recent Relationship History
Frankel was last publicly linked to businessman Tom Villante in late 2024. After going Instagram-official in November, they were last seen together that December. Before Villante, she was engaged to Paul Bernon from 2021 until their May 2024 split.
Why Dating Is Challenging
In a March 2025 podcast appearance, Frankel revealed another hurdle: finding partners comfortable with her success. “Even extremely successful men start questioning their own achievements when they meet me,” she shared on the Hot Mess podcast. “My success becomes intimidating no matter what.”
The TV personality has been married twice: to Jason Hoppy (2010-2016, shares daughter Bryn, 15) and Peter Sussman (1996-1997).
Source: Verified TikTok (@bethennyfrankel), Page Six archives, podcast transcripts.