Yolanda Foster
Yolanda Foster, pictured at the Fashion Los Angeles Awards presentation in West Hollywood, California, March 20, 2016, is officially leaving “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Getty Images

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast has been shaken up once again. Ahead of Season 6, premiering last December, it was announced that both Brandi Glanville and Kim Richards would be leaving the Bravo series.

Now, it appears the “RHOBH” cast has lost yet another staple member before Season 7. Yolanda Foster announced her departure from the reality-TV show on Instagram Wednesday. The former model joined it almost four years ago, but had been appearing less frequently because of her battle with Lyme disease. Yolanda regained enough strength to appear more often on “RHOBH” in Season 6, but was eventually worn down by her co-stars’ continued questioning of her diagnosis.

As Yolanda noted on Instagram, she had hoped for “a more graceful exit” from the series than the one she had. She went on to say she planned to use her additional downtime to focus on her children and her health, adding that she was “excited” about her decision.

 

❤️I would have loved a more graceful exit then "Season 6" but sometimes we don't get to control the ending of the chapters in our life............ I am leaving what's over without denying its past importance in my life. I believe that every exit is an new entry and with that in mind I say goodbye to my @Bravotv Family as I continue to focus on a my recovery, my children and bring back the privacy within our Home........... Thank you to all the fans for your love and unwavering support these past 4 years. I am grateful for the housewife experience and all it has thought me. I'am excited about this choice and look forward to the next chapter of my life.................. #RHOBH #TimeToSayGoodbye with #Gratitude @evolutionusa @bravoandy @bravotv #WWHL

A photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on

Although Yolanda provided no insight into why she was leaving, TMZ sources claimed her departure was related to a potential demotion. According to the celebrity-news site, Bravo was considering removing Yolanda as a regular on “RHOBH” and making her a “friend of the cast.” This move would have freed the mother of three to focus more on both her Lyme disease and her kids, while also appearing on the show occasionally. The outlet reported that Yolanda refused to be demoted and instead quit. Bravo is said to have extended an open invitation to her to appear in any future episodes should she change her mind.

“RHOBH” Season 6 was a challenging one for Yolanda. First, her diagnosis was called into question on several occasions, and then, she was forced to confront her marital problems with husband David Foster before the cameras.

David was absent during much of Season 6, but when he was around, he appeared to be standing behind Yolanda 100 percent. In one episode, capturing a cast trip to the Global Lyme Alliance Gala in New York, it became increasingly apparent that Yolanda and David were having issues. After later revealing they had split up, Bravo cameras revisited Yolanda, showing her new apartment and providing fans a glimpse at how she was coping with the divorce. At the reunion special, which aired not long after the show wrapped, Yolanda said she was blindsided by the end of her marriage.

Bravo has not announced who will replace Yolanda in “RHOBH” Season 7.

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