Bethenny Frankel Chronic Kidney Disease 2026: A 'Medical Cautionary Tale'

"Maybe I'll have to deal with this forever." On January 23, 2026, reality TV icon Bethenny Frankel dropped a heavy update for her followers. The 55-year-old entrepreneur and former RHONY star revealed she's been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease, turning her personal crisis into a health warning for millions.

Bethenny Frankel Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosis: The Details

According to Entertainment Weekly, Frankel's diagnosis came after months of proactive health screening. Despite being a wellness advocate, her blood tests repeatedly showed low kidney function. Her specialist suggested the damage might stem from a traumatic allergy attack years ago or an autoimmune response. The diagnosis is stage 2, which the Mayo Clinic defines as a mild loss of kidney function.

The treatment plan is straightforward but strict: extreme hydration and dietary changes. Frankel admitted to a common irony: she often carries a hydration bottle but rarely drinks from it. Now, she must cut out ibuprofen, turmeric, and even her beloved ice cream to protect her remaining kidney function.

A Pattern of Health Transparency

This isn't Frankel's first medical battle. In 2023, she opened up about long COVID and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). By sharing her latest struggle, she's urging fans to get bloodwork every six months to catch outliers before they become permanent issues. "Be thorough," she urged in her video, emphasizing that medical awareness is a path everyone should take.