Bethenny Frankel is pulling back the curtain on just how much money she is making from her brand deals, and the number is massive.
The former Real Housewives of New York City star has built an empire far beyond Bravo, from Skinnygirl to real estate, licensing, product reviews, social media and major brand partnerships. And now, Bethenny is revealing that her influencer business alone brings in tens of millions of dollars.
While appearing on the Tuesday, May 19 episode of Emma Grede’s Aspire podcast, Bethenny shared just how lucrative her brand deals have become.
“It’s tens of millions of dollars,” Bethenny said, specifically referring to her brand deals. “[This is] not including my other businesses, my real estate, my licensing. We’re talking, like, $20-plus million.”
Bethenny, 55, said the reason companies are willing to pay her so much is because of the trust she has built with her audience. Known for her blunt product reviews and no nonsense delivery, Bethenny says she only promotes products she actually likes and does not want to be locked into deals that limit what she can say.
“I’m very trusted, and partners come to me for their marketing budgets. Like, multibillion-dollar companies come to me to figure out how they’re going to spend,” Frankel said. “[I can talk about] anything I want, and they want that because they know that I’m smart and I’m not going to jeopardize what we’re discussing together and the products that I’ve truthfully loved and endorsed of theirs because I truly love them, which is how we got here.”
Bethenny also explained that brands should not come to her expecting a basic scripted ad.
“If there’s an ingredient that I need to mention because it should be mentioned, of course, you’re going to do it,” she said. “You shouldn’t be coming to me to read a boring script. That’s not what I’m here for.”
The Skinnygirl founder admitted that she has never publicly shared this kind of number before and said part of the reason she kept it private was because she knew people would have strong opinions.
“I have never put the number out there until today,” Bethenny said. “I’m not that comfortable with it just because it’ll make people mad at me. … I believe that people shouldn’t work for free. Interns, I pay. I don’t believe in anybody working for free, and if you’re moving product and you’re affecting an outcome, honestly, then I believe you should be compensated. So, I don’t feel guilty about it.”
Bethenny also credited part of her success to the fact that she does not fit neatly into one audience category. While many influencers are placed into a specific demographic, Bethenny says her appeal crosses age groups.
“I just don’t fit into any singular mold, so people are not understanding what it is because it’s strange that I walk Sports Illustrated with 25-year-olds,” Bethenny said. “There’s nobody my age there, but it’s not like they’re giving me the ‘token grandma’ role. It’s landing because moms are saying, ‘Thank you for not disqualifying us as a group.’ I could be alienating moms, but I’m not.”
Bethenny’s business success has long been part of her public persona. During her years on RHONY, fans watched her build Skinnygirl into a household name, and after leaving the franchise, she leaned even harder into lifestyle, consumer products and social media.
Now, Bethenny says she is thinking even bigger.
“The Bethenny seal is something we’re talking about. Retailers are going to have sections with my stuff,” she teased of possibly creating a “seal of approval” for certain brands and products. “And, like I said, the equity deals that I’ve interested in … of things that I’m passionate about.”
For Bethenny, the takeaway is simple. Her opinion moves product, and she believes she should be paid accordingly.
And whether people love it or hate it, Bethenny is making it clear that her post Housewives empire is not just thriving. It is bringing in serious money.
