Denise Richards is reportedly devastated after her husband, Aaron Phypers, filed for divorce and demanded spousal support despite having been supported by her for most of their six-year marriage.
According to court filings obtained by The National Enquirer, Phypers submitted the paperwork on July 4, citing irreconcilable differences. The move came just days after the couple appeared together publicly, leaving the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum feeling completely blindsided.
An insider close to Richards said she feels betrayed and never imagined Phypers would walk away. The source added that Richards had always believed they could work through anything and that divorce was never part of the conversation.
Phypers, 52, is asking for spousal support to maintain their previous standard of living, which reportedly cost over $105,000 per month. Documents show their expenses included $20,000 on clothes, $10,000 on groceries, $18,000 in rent, and another $15,000 for dining out.
Financial controversy and legal problems emerge
The demand for support has come amid ongoing legal issues for Phypers, who is facing a fraud lawsuit related to his work at a controversial wellness center in Malibu. The center, which claims to treat cancer patients with alternative methods, has been under scrutiny, and Phypers’ connection has drawn criticism.
Despite his legal troubles, Phypers is seeking an equal share of the couple’s entertainment business. Court documents reveal he wants a 50-50 split of the income, even though Richards has been the primary earner throughout the marriage.
Sources said Richards, 54, believes his request is outrageous, especially given that she has financially carried the household for years. One insider said Richards now realizes Phypers may not have been the man she thought he was.
They added that she had been warned by friends before their 2018 televised wedding, but she chose to believe in their relationship.
Reality show featured marriage as cracks formed
The couple’s marriage was recently showcased in Richards’ latest Bravo series, Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, which premiered in March. In one episode, Richards declared she would never go through another divorce.
Behind the scenes, however, financial tension had already begun to show. Sources said Richards took on the reality show partly due to money problems. She reportedly faced financial setbacks after her ex-husband, Charlie Sheen, stopped paying child support.
In April, the family downsized, leaving their multimillion-dollar estate for a rental unit in Los Angeles.
Phypers, who never had biological children with Richards, had once planned to adopt her youngest daughter Eloise. That plan now appears to have stalled, along with the future Richards once believed they were building together.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.