Bethenny Frankel's holiday getaway to St. Barths didn't unfold exactly as scripted. On Sunday, January 4th, the Real Housewives veteran shared a series of Instagram snaps from her vacation with her daughter, Bryn, and provided a heartfelt summary of how she celebrated New Year's Eve. The 55-year-old disclosed that while on the island paradise, she was "battling a bacterial infection."
In her post, Frankel included a striking close-up of the rash that covered her face. Though she didn't disclose the cause of the infection, she elaborated in another video, "My entire face erupted in a rash."
Compounding the setback, Frankel had to abruptly end her St. Barths trip after receiving "devastating news" about the passing of her friend, Jasen Kaplan, a renowned celebrity makeup artist and former contestant on Finding Prince Charming. Despite these unexpected setbacks, the reality star revealed that she still managed to savor the experience.
"Despite leaving early due to some heartbreaking news, battling a bacterial infection, and navigating St. Barths' social landscape like a game of the Hunger Games, I still found moments that truly mattered," she wrote. "I spent cherished time with friends and my beloved daughter, Bryn, and ushered in the new year surrounded by wonderful people in a way that felt genuinely profound."
Frankel added, "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 genuine happiness doesn't stem from the surroundings, the plans, or the hustle and bustle; it arises from within."
