The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast is no stranger to public breakups, but Denise Richards’ divorce from Aaron Phypers is hitting a little differently. After years of speculation, awkward on-camera moments, and whispers of tension behind the scenes, it’s official: Denise and Aaron are done. While the couple once boasted about their chemistry, the zen didn’t last. Denise and Aaron’s love story, which started fast and burned bright, now seems to have fizzled out under the weight of reality TV, career shifts, and personal differences. So, what actually led to this split? And will it impact Denise’s next chapter? Let’s break it down.
When did Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers get married?
Denise and Aaron got married in September 2018 after a whirlwind courtship. The couple first met at Aaron’s wellness clinic, Quantum 360. During an episode of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Denise shared, “So, I met him at his center doing DNA repair, anti-aging, and that sort of thing. Then, one time we had sex in one of his rooms. We’ve been inseparable ever since.” At the time, Aaron was still very much legally married to actress Nicollette Sheridan. The wedding, planned in under 48 hours after the divorce was finalized, was filmed for Season 9 of RHOBH. Denise was a barefoot bride in a beachside ceremony and all the Bravo fanfare you’d expect.
During the episode, Denise revealed Charlie Sheen gave his stamp of approval. She noted, “They actually do get along. And when we got married, Aaron called Charlie to let him know that we were getting married, just out of respect, that he was going to be a stepdad to our girls. They get along.” At the time, Denise was the edgy new Housewife shaking up the diamond-holding status quo. Though the couple seemed deeply connected: spiritually, emotionally, and occasionally telepathically, viewers noticed tension almost immediately. Aaron’s standoffish behavior toward the other Housewives, his strange tangents about modern medicine, and his tendency to speak for Denise all raised eyebrows.
Why did Aaron file for divorce?
In July 2025, news broke that Aaron had officially filed for divorce at Los Angeles’ Stanley Mosk Courthouse. According to court documents obtained by US Weekly Aaron listed the pair’s date of separation as Friday, July 4. Gotta say, it was a creative way to mark his independence. Aaron listed “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. He also made it clear to note that the pair did not have minor children. However, he did list Denise’s youngest daughter, Eloise, as his stepchild in the court documents. For now, neither Aaron nor Denise have commented publicly.
Not surprisingly, Aaron is also asking for the court to award him spousal support. In the documents, he is also asking for his power tools. The court documents also revealed Denise’s monthly income as $250,000. Aaron went on to claim that he has made zero dollars over the last year after he terminated his business. The divorce paperwork also revealed that Aaron has a monthly outgoing of $105,000, including $18,000 in rent, which is currently being covered by others.
Will the divorce affect RHOBH?
This divorce might be the best thing to happen to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since the Bunny. Denise’s return to the show in Season 13 (as a friend of the Housewives) was already big news. But now that she’s going through a high-profile divorce, Bravo fans are practically begging for her diamond back. But with the success of her new series, Denise Richards & Her Wild Things the fallout might help the show be picked up for a second season.
Producers love a comeback story, and Denise’s split from Aaron offers the perfect setup. She’s single again, even though she swore she would never go through another divorce. She is reclaiming her power and is ready to reenter the Bravo battlefield. Viewers have seen her as a wife, a mom, and a spiritual partner. Now? They want to see Denise unleashed. There’s also curiosity about how much of the breakup will be shown. Denise has always been selective about what she shares, but with Aaron no longer in the picture, she may feel more comfortable opening up. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a few shady confessionals, some wine-fueled venting over dinner with Garcelle Beauvais, and maybe even a group trip where Denise lets it all out.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is available to stream on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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