Bethenny Frankel, who used to be on the show Real Housewives of New York City, has publicly said that she has stage 2 chronic kidney disease. She is telling her millions of followers to keep an eye on their health. The 55-year-old businesswoman told the world about it in an honest TikTok and Instagram video on January 22, 2026. She said that routine blood tests had shown low kidney function over a period of months.
Frankel said she started getting blood tests, bone density scans, and general health checks on her own, but the results kept showing that her kidneys were getting worse, so she was sent to a kidney specialist. Even though they didn’t want to go to the appointment at first, the specialist confirmed that they had stage 2 chronic kidney disease, which means their kidneys were only slightly less functional. She told fans this not to scare them, but to get them to see their doctor and have their blood checked regularly.
Doctors couldn’t figure out what caused it, but Frankel thought it might have something to do with a rare fish allergy that almost killed her in 2011 and left her unconscious and possibly hurt her kidneys. She has had urinary tract infections, trouble staying hydrated, and low blood pressure episodes in the past, which may also play a role. This diagnosis comes after a number of health problems in 2026, such as a bacterial skin infection after a vacation in St. Barts and previous issues like long COVID and POTS.
People with stage 2 chronic kidney disease often don’t have any major symptoms. This is why early screening with lab tests is so important for managing the disease through blood pressure control, hydration, and monitoring to slow its progression. Frankel’s honesty shows how important it is to get regular checkups, especially for people with similar risk factors. Fans have shown their support by praising her for raising awareness about kidney health.
