A new day has dawned for The Real Housewives Of New York. Long time enemies Bethenny Frankel and Jill Zarin have put their differences aside to make amends, although it took a tragic circumstance to bring them back together. After the sad passing of Jill’s husband, Bobby Zarin, last week, Bethenny chartered a plane from Aspen to be by her former friend’s side.
Some question whether this surprising move was “just for the cameras,” but Jill has made it clear that she wanted Bravo to film at Bobby’s memorial, both to highlight her connection to former RHONY cast mates and because Bobby became known to many of us through his multiple seasons on the show. Jill said, “This was all about memorializing Bobby — [there was] no drama. It’s very sad for all. He was an important part of the show and a great friend to many who appeared on it.”
Page Six reports that an inside source alluded to Jill wanting Bethenny at Bobby’s funeral despite their differences because Bobby always wanted to see the women make peace. The source said Bobby “would be happy to know that the occasion brought the onetime old friends-turned-nemeses back together.”
After losing his battle with cancer, Bobby passed away at age 71. Jill posted a touching tribute on Instagram January 14th honoring her late husband: “Rest In Peace my love. Words can not express the hole in my heart. Bobby taught me what true and deep love is. Thank you my love for sharing your life with me.. for raising Allyson as if she was your own, being an amazing father and grandfather and teaching me how to be a better person.”
RELATED: Jill Zarin’s Touching Tribute To Bobby Zarin Ahead Of His Funeral
Other former RHONY cast mates rallied around Jill and her family at the service as well. NY Daily News reports that Aviva Drescher, Sonja Morgan, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Ramona Singer, and Bethenny were among the mourners who attended Bobby’s service at Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York City. The funeral was held two days after Bobby’s passing.
Danielle Staub from the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Millionaire Matchmaker’s Patty Stanger, and Marla Maples were also in attendance.
PEOPLE reports that Jill admitted in front of the mourners, “I wasn’t sure if I could stand up here today,” and brought the crowd to tears with her heartfelt tribute to Bobby, who she called an “incredibly great husband, a great father, and grandfather, and [a] truly great friend.”
After the funeral, Bethenny tweeted her respects to Bobby as well, writing, “Today is a sad day with a silver lining. I laughed. I cried. I saw old faces & watched a family come together surrounding a loss. ‘I have a dream’ that Bobby’s death makes us realize what is important & treat each day as our last.”
TELL US: DO YOU THINK BETHENNY AND JILL HAVE TRULY MADE AMENDS? ARE YOU SURPRISED CAMERAS WERE FILMING?
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