Bethenny Frankel remains optimistic despite encountering a bacterial infection during her recent trip to St. Bart’s.

“Even though I had to cut my vacation short due to some distressing news and a bacterial infection, and despite St. Barths feeling like a social survival challenge, I still discovered truly meaningful moments,” Frankel, 55, shared on Instagram on Sunday, January 4. She accompanied her message with a series of photos capturing both the enjoyable and challenging aspects of her getaway.

In one snapshot, the former Real Housewives star posted a close-up selfie, revealing a rash across her face and red spots on her right cheek. While the exact cause of the infection was not specified, Frankel later mentioned in a video that her “entire face broke out in a rash.”

“POV: You left St. Barths 3 days early and brought home a bacterial infection,” she humorously noted in a TikTok video on Monday, January 5, adding, “Allergic to St. Barths #bye.”

Additionally, she uploaded a TikTok video on Sunday, January 4, reflecting on her experience on the island, which she described as being filled with people more concerned with appearances than with enjoying the present moment.

“Every day you go to either a beach or a beach club at a hotel and it would be the ‘Hunger Games’ of fashion and money,” she shared. “No one is just dressed casually.”

As mentioned in her Instagram post, Frankel has been mourning the tragic loss of celebrity makeup artist and friend Jasen Kaplan, who died at the age of 46 on December 31.

“Jasen Kaplan had a positive energy that was truly infectious,” she wrote in the wake of his death, sharing a heartfelt tribute in his honor with throwback videos of them in happier times.

Bethenny Frankel has made contestant headlines ever since she got her start in reality TV. Frankel made her first reality TV appearance in 2005 on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. She finished as the runner-up in the competition for her BethennyBakes business, which made egg-free, wheat-free and dairy-free cookies and meal delivery in New York. Following […]

“He was fun, vibrant, and always brought his A game. The world lost a one-of-a-kind gem on New Year’s Eve, which still doesn’t feel real. Jasen was magnetic, generous, endlessly supportive, and always sharing his latest finds — food, products, people,” she added, before revealing that Kaplan also shared a special bond with her daughter, Bryn.

“We cried laughing constantly,” the former Bravo star continued. “Every time he saw Bryn, he offered to do her makeup, gifting her lip gloss and tips. They adored each other.”

Frankel also shared that Kaplan brought immeasurable joy to her life.

Bethenny Frankel is soaking up every moment in the Sunshine State. Weeks after announcing her move from New York to Florida, the former Real Housewives of New York City star, 54, stepped out in Miami for various events tied to the F1 Miami Grand Prix. Over the weekend, Frankel attended the Amex x Carbone Beach […]

“He always showed up and cheered me on,” she fondly reminisced about the former Finding Prince Charming star. “He’s seen me in every form, from fixing broken zippers to making me feel like a supermodel. If you were around him, you were happier.”

Frankel said that although her trip didn’t end the way she would have hoped, she was reminded to soak up the good moments.

In her latest Instagram post, the Skinnygirl founder shared a clip of her day club outing with Glen Powell, Alix Earle, Nina Dobrev and more. Frankel also partied with Lauren Sanchez while aboard a yacht.

“I spent special time with friends and my love, Bryn, and rang in the new year in a way that felt genuinely meaningful, surrounded by good people,”
she continued her post. “This trip reminded me of something I’ve always known but sometimes forget: it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about who you’re with. And real happiness doesn’t come from the setting, the plans, or the noise, it comes from within.”