Denise Richards’ once-private second marriage has exploded into the spotlight after her husband, Aaron Phypers, officially filed for divorce, demanding jaw-dropping monthly support. After six years together, the wellness coach listed “irreconcilable differences” in a filing that is already making headlines across the entertainment world.
What stunned fans the most was not just the end of their marriage but the financial revelations Phypers submitted in court. The documents allege that despite earning nothing himself in the past year, he still spends approximately $105,000 monthly—covering everything from rent and clothing to utilities and child care.
The divorce comes only four months after Richards insisted on national television that she would never go through another breakup. On her Bravo reality show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, she opened up about the difficulties of being married to someone like her. She admitted it’s not easy, and Aaron agreed but said they would never get divorced again. She doubled down, saying even if they ended up hating each other, divorce was not an option.
Aaron clearly changed his mind.
Phypers claims Denise earns over $250K monthly from TV and OnlyFans
In his divorce paperwork, Phypers, 52, claimed that Richards pulls in over $250,000 every month through various income streams. He listed television appearances, brand deals, and an active OnlyFans account as major contributors to her earnings. The court filing paints a picture of significant disparity between their financial situations.
While Denise continues to thrive in the entertainment industry, Aaron argues that his zero-income status leaves him reliant on the lifestyle they built together. To maintain that standard of living, Phypers says he requires monthly support that includes $18,000 in rent, $10,000 on groceries, $8,000 for utilities, $7,000 for child care, $15,000 on dining out, $5,000 for laundry, and a shocking $20,000 on clothing.
Though no spousal support request was officially filed, the breakdown of his lifestyle expenses is widely viewed as a financial preview of what’s coming next.
Denise’s past with Charlie Sheen resurfaces amid split
Denise’s high-profile first marriage to Two and a Half Men actor Charlie Sheen also drew attention after news of her second divorce broke. She and Sheen share two daughters—Sami, 21, and Lola, 20. She later adopted a third child, Eloise, 14, who has developmental delays. Aaron legally adopted Eloise in 2019, taking on the role of stepfather and full-time co-parent.
This isn’t Aaron’s first brush with celebrity marriage. Before Denise, he was married to Desperate Housewives actress Nicollette Sheridan. The couple had a brief marriage that lasted just six months after a secret 2015 ceremony.
Aaron’s recent divorce filing includes a request to keep personal property such as his power tools, a 2018 Indian Dark Horse motorcycle, and a Shelby GT500. The details add yet another layer of drama to a split already rich with scandal.
Insiders say tension had been building for months
While Denise played up their unity on camera, insiders revealed that the couple had been facing mounting issues for months. Sources close to the production team of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things said they noticed growing tension behind the scenes. Denise reportedly tried to control public perception by keeping things upbeat on camera, but the cracks became harder to ignore.
Production insiders even recalled a moment during filming when Aaron sarcastically responded to Denise’s vows never to divorce again. Though it came across as a joke, crew members felt it revealed deeper issues.
The couple’s dynamic, once characterized by spiritual wellness sessions and health retreats, gradually shifted into quiet resentment. Aaron reportedly felt eclipsed by Denise’s increasing fame and success, particularly as her OnlyFans page grew in popularity and financial value.
Reality show scenes now seen as foreshadowing the collapse
Looking back, fans are pointing to scenes from Her Wild Things that now seem to predict the collapse of the relationship. In one moment, Denise joked that even if they hated each other, she wouldn’t go through another divorce. Aaron awkwardly suggested they might end up living in different homes.
That exchange, meant to be lighthearted, now echoes eerily after the divorce bombshell. Social media users have started sharing that scene, noting the shift in Aaron’s tone over the last season.
A few episodes also highlighted Denise’s professional commitments, including long hours on set and business meetings tied to her OnlyFans content creation. According to close sources, the couple had disagreements over her increasing focus on monetizing her brand while Aaron felt left behind.
Divorce could expose more about Denise’s OnlyFans empire
One major point of speculation now centers on Denise’s OnlyFans account. Aaron’s court documents reference it as a significant revenue source, suggesting that future legal battles could expose financial details the actress has previously kept private.
Richards joined OnlyFans in 2022, originally to support her daughter Sami who launched her own account. Since then, the Wild Things star has cultivated a large paying audience, leveraging her celebrity status for exclusive content.
With Aaron citing the platform in his filing, lawyers may be forced to dissect its profitability—and that could mean more details spilling into public view. Experts suggest a discovery process could be on the table, forcing a complete breakdown of her revenue streams.
Aaron’s sudden change of heart leaves fans guessing what went wrong
For fans of the couple who believed in their unconventional but seemingly strong bond, Aaron’s swift decision to file for divorce marks a sharp turn. Just months earlier, he was vocal about staying together no matter what. But on July 7, everything changed.
Aaron’s actions left even Denise’s inner circle surprised. While she has yet to release a public statement, those close to her say she’s focusing on her children and work while preparing for what could be a very public court battle.
As the legal drama unfolds, one question remains unanswered—what exactly pushed Aaron to walk away after six years of claiming they’d never split?
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.