After publicly declaring she would “never get divorced again,” actress and reality TV star Denise Richards is facing the exact outcome she hoped to avoid. On July 7, 2025, her husband of six years, Aaron Phypers, officially filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences” and marking July 4 as their date of separation. While celebrity breakups aren’t uncommon, the details emerging from the court documents have left fans and the media stunned, particularly Phypers’ demand for spousal support and his claim of having no personal income.
The filing comes just four months after the pair reaffirmed their commitment to each other on Richards’ new Bravo reality show, Denise Richards & Her Wild Things. In the series’ premiere, Richards insisted she would never divorce again, saying even if they ended up hating each other, separation wasn’t an option. Phypers, too, agreed, suggesting they’d simply live in separate homes rather than end the marriage. Unfortunately, reality seems to have taken a different course.
Richards and Phypers married in September 2018, just a month after his divorce from Desperate Housewives actress Nicollette Sheridan was finalized. Their romance started the year prior, when they met at a Malibu wellness center where Phypers worked. The relationship moved swiftly, culminating in a wedding only 15 months later. It seemed like a new beginning for both, especially as Richards had previously been married to Charlie Sheen, with whom she shares two daughters.
But behind the scenes, it appears financial strain may have played a larger role than the public realized. In the court documents filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, Phypers revealed that he has been unemployed since October 2024. He stated he previously ran a wellness business but has had no income for months. Instead, he claimed Richards has been solely responsible for covering the couple’s monthly lifestyle expenses, which he says amount to a staggering $105,000.
These expenses include $20,000 on clothing, $18,000 on rent, and $15,000 each on entertainment and dining out. He also listed $10,000 for groceries, in what many on social media have dubbed “the most expensive grocery bill in Hollywood.” Altogether, Phypers argues that his current financial situation entitles him to spousal support, especially since Richards reportedly earns approximately $250,000 per month.
That income, according to Phypers, comes from a combination of Richards’ OnlyFans page, brand partnerships, television appearances, including her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and various public appearances. Richards and her daughter, Sami Sheen, joined OnlyFans in 2022, initially drawing criticism but later turning their presence into a highly lucrative digital brand.
In addition to financial support, Phypers is also requesting legal ownership over personal belongings he claims are his, including a 2018 motorcycle, power tools, and a sports car. While there are no minor children shared between the two, the topic of family wasn’t entirely absent. In 2019, Phypers expressed a desire to adopt Richards’ youngest daughter, Eloise, who was adopted by Richards in 2011 as a single mother. However, the adoption was never confirmed, and Phypers made no mention of Eloise in the divorce documents.
What makes the situation even more complex is the emotional whiplash that fans are experiencing. Richards had been vocal about the stability and love in her marriage. She once said, “It’s not easy being married to me,” to which Phypers replied, “It is not, and she said it!” But even then, they both seemed committed to staying together, even if things got hard. Richards went as far as saying, “Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f—ing get divorced.”
This isn’t the first divorce for either party. Richards was married to Charlie Sheen from 2002 to 2006, a union that ended with legal battles and public drama. Phypers’ marriage to Nicollette Sheridan was short-lived, lasting only six months before he filed for divorce in 2016. With that history, it appeared the couple was determined to make things work the second time around. But now, their once-promising relationship seems to be heading into contested legal territory.
The court proceedings are expected to explore whether Phypers is eligible for spousal support under California law. While California is a community property state, many variables, such as prenuptial agreements, individual assets, and documented contributions, can influence the outcome. As of now, there’s no public confirmation of a prenup between Richards and Phypers, leaving the door open for potentially contentious negotiations.
Public reaction has ranged from surprise to skepticism. Many are questioning Phypers’ expense claims, particularly the $25,000 reportedly spent on food each month. Others are viewing his spousal support request as opportunistic, given the rapid success Richards has seen from her digital ventures. Still, supporters of Phypers argue that if the couple truly lived that lifestyle and he contributed in non-financial ways, he may have a legal right to compensation.
As of now, Denise Richards has not commented publicly on the divorce filing, and her legal team has yet to issue a statement. With her reality show still airing, fans will likely be watching closely to see how or if the proceedings are addressed on screen.
In the world of celebrity marriages, vows are often made under the spotlight, and sometimes broken behind closed doors. While Richards and Phypers once promised forever, the divorce filings paint a different picture. Whether the split remains amicable or evolves into a highly public legal battle remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear: Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers are going their separate ways, and the cameras will be watching.
