Reality TV queen and professional pot-stirrer Lisa Rinna just dropped a bombshell on her podcast—and for once, it had nothing to do with lip kits or Bravo drama. Nope, this was about her dad, Frank Rinna, and how he chose to make his final exit back in 2016.
On her and Harry Hamlin’s “Let’s Not Talk About the Husband” podcast (which, ironically, seems to feature a lot of Harry talking), Lisa revealed that her father passed away at 94 via assisted suicide in Oregon. And let’s just say, he was not here for delays in his grand exit.
“In Oregon, you’re allowed to, you know… check out when you want to check out,” Harry, 73, explained in his signature dramatic, Shakespearean way. (We assume. It’s Harry Hamlin, after all.)
For those who don’t know, Oregon passed the Death With Dignity Act in 1997, making it legal for terminally ill patients to say “I’m out” with the help of doctor-approved medication. Lisa clarified that her dad followed all the rules—two doctors, proper documentation, the whole VIP package.
Then came the Big Day. And, according to Lisa, it was a trip.
“I didn’t feel like I was in my body,” she said, which, TBH, sounds like a typical episode of RHOBH after too much champagne. But in this case, it was because she was witnessing something surreal: her dad taking his final bow, on his own terms, with a hospice team and a death doula.
Now, here’s the kicker—Frank was ready. Like, “I’ve booked my flight and packed my bags” ready. But when the medication delivery got delayed by two days, the man was livid. And honestly, who wouldn’t be? Imagine making the ultimate life decision and then being ghosted by the delivery guy.
“When they set their mind to this, they’re READY,” Lisa explained. “He was in pain and he was really unhappy.”
So, when the meds finally arrived, Frank wasted no time. He had to be the one to pick up the cup and drink it himself—because rules are rules—even at the finish line.
“They just go to sleep,” Lisa said, clarifying that it’s not some horror movie scenario. “It was very peaceful. A very humane way to go.”
Lisa called the experience “awful, but not awful,” which, if you think about it, is kind of the theme of all Real Housewives franchises.
At the end of the day, it was Frank’s choice, and Lisa was there to support him. And if there’s one thing we know about Rinna, it’s that she always commits 100%—whether it’s standing by her father’s wishes or bringing the drama to every dinner party.
RIP, Frank. You went out on your own terms—and we respect that.
