Bethenny Frankel Pens Heartfelt Farewell Message to Fans After Quitting 'RHONY' Ahead of Season 12

UPDATE: at 9:51 p.m. on 8/21/19

Bethenny took to Instagram after news of her departure broke to share a lengthy and heartfelt message for the fans who've stood by her side throughout the years.

"I am so grateful to you for sticking with me through everything," she wrote. "You started this journey with me in my tiny apartment in my late 30s, wondering what would happen to me. I was broke, single, had no family and no idea what the future held."

She went on to say that her fans had inspired her and helped her navigate her way through her life, both professionally and personally, then encouraged them to pursue their dreams just as they'd empowered her to chase hers.

"GO for it. Whatever it is. Reach for your dreams in life and love and make the impossible happen, because it can happen and it WILL happen," she wrote. "Come from a place of yes and it's yours for the taking."

In closing, Bethenny promised her fans this wouldn't be the last they see of her. You can read her full message below:

ORIGINAL STORY:

Bethenny Frankel is leaving "The Real Housewives of New York."

"I have decided to leave the 'Housewives' franchise to explore my next chapter," the self-made millionaire told Variety in a statement Wednesday. "It's time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women."

"With the changes in modern culture, I want to highlight the strength, confidence and unstoppable power that women have," the statement continued. "My experience at Bravo has been an incredibly magical ride. I am so grateful to them for highlighting my entrepreneurialism and allowing me to pave the way for many women to achieve their goals."

"I am excited for my future," the statement concluded. "The best is yet to come."

Along with Ramona Singer and Luann de Lesseps, Bethenny helped launch the Bravo series back in 2008, but it was clear she was the breakout star. The non-Housewife was smart and witty and never shied away from confrontation with her co-stars, which paved the way for some of the show's most quotable and GIF-able moments. Viewers of the 11-season series also got to watch Bethenny grow from struggling natural foods chef to multi-million-dollar mogul, thanks to Skinnygirl.

For "personal reasons," she stepped away from the series for five years. During that time, she starred in her own Bravo reality show, "Bethenny Getting Married," which documented her engagement and marriage to now-ex-husband Jason Hoppy, as well as the birth of their daughter, Bryn.

Bethenny returned to "RHONY" for Season 7 and never looked back. Since then, we've watched her launch B Strong -- a foundation for women and families in crisis that worked with the national disaster relief charity, Delivering Good, to provide people affected by the hurricanes of 2017 with gift cards, bank cards and critical supplies. Bethenny and her team also provided aid to people who survived the recent natural disasters in Puerto Rico, Houston and Mexico City.

Bravo has not yet responded to TooFab's request for comment.

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