Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers Split After Six Years of Marriage

Phypers files for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences,” requests spousal support

Divorce Filing Marks End of Six-Year Marriage

Actor and holistic health practitioner Aaron Phypers has officially filed for divorce from actress Denise Richards after six years of marriage. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Phypers, 52, submitted the paperwork on Monday, July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences” and listing July 4 as the couple’s official date of separation.

Phypers is requesting spousal support from Richards, 54, and has asked the court to maintain their assets and debts as separate property. Items he specifically seeks to retain include his motorcycle, power tools, and a sports car.

No Minor Children, Adoption Status Unclear

While the couple shares no biological children, Phypers had reportedly begun the process of adopting Richards’ youngest daughter, 14-year-old Eloise. However, it remains unclear whether the adoption was finalized prior to their split.

Richards also shares two daughters—Sami and Lola—with ex-husband Charlie Sheen, to whom she was married from 2002 to 2006.

A Love Story That Began in Malibu

Richards and Phypers’ relationship began in June 2017 after they met at his wellness center in Malibu, where the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum sought treatment for “preventative DNA repair.” The connection quickly turned romantic.

They kept their engagement under wraps and wed in a spontaneous, intimate ceremony in Malibu on September 8, 2018.

Phypers had finalized his divorce from Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan just a month prior to marrying Richards.

Reality TV and a Pledge to Never Divorce

The couple’s relationship was recently chronicled on the Bravo reality series Denise Richards & Her Wild Things. In a March episode, the pair openly discussed their challenges—and their reluctance to consider divorce.

“It’s not easy being married to me,” Richards admitted on camera. Phypers responded lightheartedly, “It is not, and she said it! But this is it. I’m done.”

Despite their evident ups and downs, both insisted at the time that divorce wasn’t on the table. Richards vowed, “I’m never getting divorced again. Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f—ing get divorced.”

Phypers echoed her sentiments, suggesting they might live apart in the future if needed but would avoid splitting legally.

A Shift From Public Commitment to Legal Separation

Their dramatic about-face—from promising lifelong partnership to filing for divorce just months later—marks a sharp contrast to their previously televised vows of perseverance. The sudden turn also revives public curiosity around Richards’ past high-profile relationships and the emotional toll of public breakups.

In the same reality show episode, Richards reflected on her previous divorce from Sheen and the intense public scrutiny it brought. “The judgment from other people and being made out to be this awful woman,” she said, “I’ll never get divorced, even if we hate each other.”

What’s Next?

As the divorce proceedings begin, both Richards and Phypers have remained silent publicly about the filing. With no custody battles looming and limited shared assets noted in the petition, the case may proceed without significant contention.

Still, fans and followers of the couple—especially those who watched their relationship unfold onscreen—are left with questions about what ultimately led to the quiet unraveling of their once-resilient bond.