Heather Thomson Leaves RHONY: She "Knew It Was Time to Move On"

Two months after Us Weekly broke the news, Heather Thomson exclusively confirms to Us she’s leaving Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City.

“When the opportunity came to do this show, I had this list of pros and cons,” she tells Us. “Three years in, the pros list is just gone. They don’t exist anymore.”

Castmate and best friend Carole Radziwill tells Us exclusively she understands her pal’s decision.

“She just knew it was time to move on,” Radziwill says.

Executive producer Andy Cohen “understood,” Thomson adds. “He knows I have a big business that needs my focus. He’s proud of me and the job that I did on the show. He graciously complimented my integrity, who I am and who I’ve always been.”

Thomson, 45, plans to hone in on her two full-time jobs: being a mom and running her company Yummie by Heather Thomson. “The long shooting days don’t work for me anymore,” she explains.

The mother of Jax, 10, and Ella Rae, 8, says she’ll miss the laughter that she shared with her castmates the most.

Radziwill feels the same way. “We had some really good times,” she tells Us.

"Heather is a very accomplished and honorable person,” Radziwill continues. “She brought that and so much more to the show. She’s an incredible mom and business woman, with or without the show. There is no doubt Heather will always do great things. While she won’t be part of the show, she is still a part of my life, and for that I’m grateful. Holla!"

Though Thomson has friends she’s leaving behind, she won’t miss “the forced drama,” she admits. “The hurtfulness over someone else and at someone’s expense — I don’t do that. I’m the exact opposite.”