Bethenny Frankel & Jason Hoppy: Nine Years, Sixty Court Appearances, and a Skinnygirl Fortune Under Siege
A reality TV mogul's nine-year divorce war — stalking charges, PTSD, and over sixty court appearances to protect a $100M empire
Key Facts
What Happened
Bethenny Frankel, star of The Real Housewives of New York City and founder of the Skinnygirl cocktail brand, married pharmaceutical sales executive Jason Hoppy in March 2010. Their wedding was filmed for the Bravo spin-off 'Bethenny Getting Married?' The marriage lasted less than three years — Frankel announced their separation in December 2012 and filed for divorce in January 2013. What followed was one of the longest, most contentious celebrity divorce proceedings in modern history.
The divorce dragged on for nearly nine years, not being finalized until January 2021. The primary battlegrounds were custody of their daughter Bryn (born 2010) and the division of Frankel's Skinnygirl empire, which she sold to Beam Global for a reported $100 million-plus. Hoppy sought significant alimony and a share of the Skinnygirl fortune, arguing that the brand's growth occurred during their marriage. A judge ordered Frankel to pay $11,858 per month in spousal support plus $3,000 in base child support, though the alimony was later terminated.
The proceedings took a dark turn in 2017 when Hoppy was arrested and charged with stalking and harassing Frankel. He was issued a six-month stay-away order. Frankel testified that she feared for her life while living with Hoppy, describing how she kept her bedroom door locked. She later filed for full custody in 2019, and the custody trial revealed abusive texts and emails. In 2020, Frankel was awarded full legal custody, and by December 2021, she received primary residential custody with no further child support obligation to Hoppy.
Frankel has spoken publicly about the devastating psychological toll of the divorce, describing it as 'literally the most traumatizing thing I will hopefully ever go through in my life.' She has said the experience left her with post-traumatic stress disorder and deep trust issues. The case is a stark illustration of how a determined ex-spouse can weaponize the legal system to drain money, time, and emotional resources from the higher-earning partner.
Legal Breakdown: Spousal Support
Valuing a Business in Divorce
The Skinnygirl brand was Frankel's creation, but because it grew significantly during the marriage, Hoppy had a claim to a portion of its value under New York's equitable distribution law. Valuing a brand or business in divorce requires forensic accountants, and the 'active vs. passive appreciation' distinction determines how much the non-owning spouse receives.
Spousal Support & Termination
Frankel was ordered to pay Hoppy $12,000/month in spousal support because she was the higher earner. However, spousal support is not permanent in most cases — it can be modified or terminated based on changed circumstances. The court eventually ended Hoppy's alimony, recognizing that he was capable of self-support.
Protective Orders in Divorce
Hoppy's 2017 arrest and the resulting stay-away order demonstrate that harassment during divorce proceedings can have criminal consequences. Courts take stalking and intimidation seriously, and a restraining order can affect custody outcomes — judges view a parent's threatening behavior toward the other parent as relevant to the children's best interests.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If your spouse is harassing or stalking you during divorce, document everything and file for a protective order immediately — it can also strengthen your custody case.
- →A protracted divorce can cost more in legal fees and emotional damage than a generous settlement. Sometimes paying more upfront saves years of litigation.
- →Spousal support is modifiable. If your circumstances change or your ex becomes self-supporting, petition the court for a modification or termination.
- →Business owners should maintain clear records of pre-marital value versus growth during marriage. This distinction can save millions in property division.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.