What happened to Frankie on Real Housewives of Miami?

Alexia Echevarria attends The Real Housewives of Miami Premiere Party at Eden Roc, a Renaissance Beach Resort and Spa on February 21, 2011 in Miami Beach, Florida.

(Image credit: Future/Vallery Jean/FilmMagic)

last updated 13 March 2023

The Real Housewives of Miami season 5 has just wrapped up—and after a drama-filled 16 episodes, many viewers have been left wondering, what happened to Frankie on Real Housewives of Miami?

After an eight-year hiatus, our Miami based housewives returned to our TV screens in late 2021 with a fourth season—while season 5 has aired most recently. The show quickly welcomed back many RHOM faves, including Larsa Pippen, Lisa Hochstein, and of course Alexia Nepola (nee Echevarria), who recently married her now-husband Todd Nepola. And though fans have been keeping up with the new and reoccurring feuds so typical of the Housewives, everyone's curious: what happened to Frankie on RHOM?

Alexia Nepola's past contains one of the more heartbreaking storylines we've encountered on the franchise. In 2011, her then 13-year-old son, Frankie, was involved in a horrific car accident that turned the socialite's world upside down, and understandably so.

So how are things in her family now? What happened to Frankie exactly, how is he now, and what else has been going on since we last caught up with Nepola and co.?

What happened to Frankie on 'Real Housewives of Miami'?

If you're wondering what happened to Frankie, at 13 years old, Frankie Rosello was in the passenger seat of a car that lost control in the rain in summer 2011.

Following the terrible accident, Rosello was in a coma for three months and there were grave concerns about his recovery, particularly after he had suffered significant brain damage.

Things grew more difficult for the socialite and her family when her older son, Peter, began lashing out and getting in legal trouble, following his younger brother's devastating news.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2021, Alexia shared that she was particularly excited to return to the series to show the world the progress her family has made. At the time, she said, "I'm very excited to show my son Frankie," Alexia said. "I want to show everyone the progress that he's made. That's why I always really wanted the show to come back, because I know so many people prayed for him. And so many people were rooting for us as a family."

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What is Frankie Rosello up to now?

Over 11 years on from Frankie's accident, and it appears both of Alexia's boys are doing well.

While Peter attended the Paris School of Business and began selling commercial real estate, Frankie has finished high school and opened up Alexia + Frankie's Beauty Bar in Surfside, Miami Beach alongside his mother.

Nepola has however shared recently on her Instagram that her youngest son still encounters problems due to his brain injury. In a heartfelt post, she confessed to fans, "I will never recover from Frankie's accident. It's only my wish that he can continue to improve in time, and he can be as "normal and productive" as his limitations allow.

"I will never accept the loss of my dreams for him, and I will never give up on him or Peter. Our pain is so deep. I am learning each day how to do more for Frankie," she continued.

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Despite Alexia's emotional post, fans of RHOM have shared how much they love seeing Frankie on the show.

On his Instagram, one viewer commented, "Frankie you are the best part of watching Real Housewives or Miami! Love seeing you navigate through life and you make me laugh!"

While another said, "I LOVE seeing you on the housewives!!!"

Watch 'The Real Housewives of Miami' season 5 trailer:

Seeing how Alexia's sons have grown is one of the highlights of season 5, but outside of that, this year's series has been full of the drama we've come to expect from the Miami housewives.

If you haven't yet caught up on the season and want a bit of a teaser, here's the trailer:

In the clip, we see potential marriage breakdowns, debates over finances, and of course, plenty of trips and parties.

What are you waiting for? Get bingeing! Or, catch up on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip season 4, which has just aired too.

Catch up on the Real Housewives of Miami on Peacock in the US, and on Hayu in the UK.

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few.

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.