"They've been dating since at least the holidays," a source shared with E! News who revealed the couple went on vacation with co-star Carole Radziwill and her boyfriend Adam Kenworthy.
Another source confirms the timeline of when their romance began and adds that while Dennis never filmed RHONY, he did show up during filming one day where he stayed away from the cameras.
Earlier this week, photos surfaced (see below) of Bethenny and her new man enjoying an afternoon in New York City. As cameras flashed away, the pair was seen holding hands and chatting away during a daytime date.
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| Photo Credit: AKM-GSI |
However, according to US Weekly, Shields is still a married man. Apparently, Shields is currently separated from his wife, Jill.
During a recent interview with E! News via Bravo, Countess Luann de Lesseps called out Frakel for dating a married man. "She calls me a hypocrite, but really she's the hypocrite because I'm getting married. I'm engaged. And Bethenny's still trying to get a divorce," Luann said. "She was in The Daily Mail today. She's dating married men, not me."
The Countess is referring to a report published by The Daily Mail on Tuesday that features photos of Bethenny holding hands with Dennis Shields, the executive chairman of Esquire Bank.
However, Bethenny addressed the speculation on Twitter Wednesday. "She's correct," Bethenny said of Luann's comments. "I'm dating a legally married separated man-so perfect bc i'm legally married too!"
She's correct.I'm dating a legally married separated man-so perfect bc i'm legally married too! @CountessLuann xo https://t.co/d6n4c2Fmfa— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) June 8, 2016
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| Photo Credit: LDBNY/Splash News |
Back in 2014, Frankel was linked to financier Michael "Mac" Cerussi III and dated for more than a year before calling it quits in March 2015.
Despite her new relationship, the Skinnygirl is still embattled in a bitter divorce from her estranged husband, Jason Hoppy, the father of her 6-year-old daughter, Bryn. The pair called it quits in December 2012 after nearly three years of marriage.
Frankel recently opened up about the status of her split from Hoppy, 45. “I believe it’s nearly final. I don’t have a crystal ball. Divorces can be a living, breathing thing with two individuals, and if everyone wants to do the wise and smart thing, it will be over soon,” the Bravo personality told Us. “I can only control my behavior and my actions.”
What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comment section below!
Photo Credit: AKM-GSI