If you’ve ever watched The Real Housewives of New York, you’ve probably spent a good amount of time wondering if the cameras are playing tricks on you. The women always look like glamazonian giants in those reunion heels, yet they seem tiny in their "real life" scenes. Bethenny Frankel is usually at the center of this height confusion. She’s got this high-energy, fast-talking, "big" personality that fills up an entire room, which makes people assume she’s either a six-foot-tall runway model or a tiny sprite.
So, how tall is Bethenny Frankel, really?
The short answer: Bethenny Frankel is 5 feet 7 inches tall.
But if you look at different corners of the internet, you'll find people arguing she's 5'5" or even 5'8". Why the discrepancy? Honestly, it’s a mix of Hollywood "rounding up" and the way her frame makes her look in photos.
The 5'7" Reality Check
Most reputable industry databases and celebrity profiles settle on the 5'7" mark (about 170 cm). This actually puts her well above the average height for a woman in the United States, which hovers around 5'4".
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Think about that for a second.
When you see her standing next to someone like Andy Cohen—who is also around 5'7" or 5'8"—they’re basically eye-to-eye. However, the reason people constantly question her height is her build. Bethenny has a very slight, "willowy" frame. In the world of visual perspective, being very thin often makes a person look shorter in photos when they're alone, but much taller when they’re standing next to other people.
Why the Internet Can't Agree
- The IMDb Factor: Some older casting sheets listed her at 5'5 ¾". It's possible she grew a tiny bit in her early twenties, or more likely, those early stats were just slightly off.
- The Runway Illusion: On RHONY, she often filmed with women like Luann de Lesseps, who is a statuesque 5'10". Standing next to "The Countess," anyone is going to look a bit shorter.
- The Footwear: Let’s be real. Bethenny is rarely seen in flats. When you add a 4-inch Louboutin to a 5'7" frame, she’s suddenly clearing 5'11".
Comparing the Skinnygirl to Other Housewives
To get a real sense of her height, you have to look at the lineup. In the Bravo universe, height is practically a character trait.
Luann de Lesseps and Aviva Drescher were the "tall" ones, both hitting that 5'10" mark. Then you have the "petite" crew. Ramona Singer is roughly 5'5". When Bethenny and Ramona stand next to each other, Bethenny has a clear couple of inches on her.
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It’s also interesting to compare her to celebrities outside the Bravo-verse. She’s roughly the same height as Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Lawrence. You wouldn't necessarily call them "short," but they aren't exactly "tall" by supermodel standards either. They’re in that "tall-average" sweet spot.
The Weight and Health Conversation
You can’t talk about Bethenny’s height without addressing the elephant in the room: her weight. Because she’s so open about her brand, Skinnygirl, her body has been under a microscope for decades.
In a famously transparent moment on The Today Show years ago, she actually stepped on a scale to prove she wasn't "unhealthily" thin. She weighed in at 115 pounds. For a woman who is 5'7", that's a very low BMI.
She has often defended her size, saying she has a small bone structure and a high metabolism. "I'm a thin person," she’s said in various interviews. "I don't overeat, but I don't starve myself." Whether you buy that or not, it’s the reason she looks "long" on camera. When you have very little body fat, your limbs look longer, which can trick the eye into thinking you’re taller than you actually are.
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What She’s Said About Her Own Body
Bethenny isn't exactly shy. She’s built a multi-million dollar empire on being "naturally thin."
She’s mentioned in her books and on her TikTok rants that she doesn't believe in "dieting" but rather "investing" her calories. It’s a polarizing take, for sure. But from a purely physical standpoint, her height-to-weight ratio is what gives her that specific "Bethenny" look—sharp angles, prominent collarbones, and a frame that looks like it might blow away in a stiff breeze.
Fact vs. Fiction: The Height Myths
- "She's actually 5'2"!" No. This is a common myth for any thin celebrity. People assume "small" means "short." It doesn't.
- "She's a giant!" Also no. She just wears very high heels and has a loud voice.
- "She lies about her height." Unlikely. 5'7" is a very specific, mid-range height to lie about. Usually, people lie to get to the 5'10" "model" mark.
Takeaway: Why Do We Care?
People are obsessed with celebrity heights because it’s the one thing we can’t easily see through a screen. We can see their hair color, their clothes, and their homes, but "scale" is hard to judge.
Knowing Bethenny is 5'7" actually changes how you view her on the show. She’s not this tiny underdog fighting against the "big" girls. She’s actually pretty physically imposing when she wants to be.
If you're trying to compare your own height to hers, remember that she’s likely using every trick in the book to look "longer." Good posture, high-waisted pants, and vertical stripes are all part of the Bethenny Frankel fashion playbook.
Next Steps for You:
If you're looking to replicate her "long and lean" look (without the controversy), focus on high-waisted tailoring. Pairing 5'7" with a high-rise trouser is the fastest way to look 6 feet tall in photos. Also, check out her book Naturally Thin if you want to understand the philosophy behind her frame—just take the advice with a grain of salt and consult a pro if you're making big lifestyle changes.