(CNN) - It's the end of an era as one of the original cast members of "The Real Housewives of New York" is bidding the show adieu. Bethenny Frankel has announced she is leaving the Bravo reality series ahead of Season 12. She joined the show when it debuted in 2008, left during the third season for her spinoff "Bethenny Getting Married" and rejoined the housewives for Season 7. Her life was also featured in the shows "Bethenny Ever After" and "Bethenny & Fredrik." "With the changes in modern culture, I want to highlight the strength, confidence and unstoppable power that women have."