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Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny Frankel says doctors misdiagnosed ‘pretty major’ condition
Anthony RobledoUSA TODAY
Aug. 4, 2026, 7:09 p.m. ET
“Real Housewives of New York City” alumna Bethenny Frankel revealed that she has been misdiagnosed with a major health concern, though she did not clarify exactly what that was
In an Instagram video posted Monday, Aug. 3, the 55-year-old entrepreneur said a network of medical specialists reviewed her biometrics and longevity indicators before reaching the conclusion
“And they have said that I have been misdiagnosed with something pretty major,” she said in the video
The Skinnygirl founder said the group that discovered the misdiagnosis was not some nonsense “vanity concierge doctor,” adding, “it’s very, very legitimate.”
“I’m very confused because I was sort of operating with the idea that I do have this, and I don’t want to throw anybody under the bus and try to do the right thing and it’s very confusing and I just think there’s nothing we should be more thorough about then our medical care, our health, and just think about it,” she said
USA TODAY has reached out to Frankel’s representative for further comment
Frankel said she hadn’t planned to share the update but ultimately decided to do so because it “could help one of you or several of you” be more thorough when it comes to their healthcare
“Don’t believe everything you hear on the internet. Don’t believe everything that chat tells you, but I do believe that whether it’s gluten intolerance or an allergy, or gut. Everybody’s sort of saying that they have everything,” she continued
Bethenny Frankel previously revealed chronic kidney disease diagnosis
Frankel’s latest health update comes months after she shared she was diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease after blood work regularly showed low kidney function
“Maybe this is something I’ll have to deal with this forever,” she said in a Jan. 22 Instagram video. “But I just wanted to tell you because I think it’s important to get all your blood work done.”
The Mayo Clinic characterizes stage 2 of chronic kidney disease by “mild loss of kidney function.”
Frankel said her doctor could not determine a specific cause for the condition, though some clues indicated it could be connected to a “traumatic experience” she had years prior where she almost died from an allergy attack. She said that the incident could have damaged her kidneys or her prior predisposition to urinary tract infections, adding that she also has hydration issues and low blood pressure
She said she shared her diagnosis “not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life.”
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
