While many families were lighting up fireworks and enjoying beachside celebrations on the Fourth of July, Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers were quietly reaching the end of their six-year marriage.
The news came to light this week, revealing that Aaron filed for divorce in Los Angeles, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
Interestingly, the couple’s official date of separation was marked as July 4—ironically, the same day Denise was seen on Instagram posting a stunning swimsuit photo from the beach.
Aaron Seeks Spousal Support Amid the Breakup
Aaron Phypers isn’t just walking away quietly—he’s also seeking spousal support from Denise.
Court documents obtained by DailyMail.com confirm the filing.
The split adds a dramatic twist to their ongoing reality series Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, where both appear alongside Denise’s daughters Sami (21) and Lola (19).
Denise is also mom to 13-year-old Eloise, whom she adopted.
The last time Denise and Aaron appeared together on the red carpet was in May.
And her Instagram hasn’t featured him since April—hints, perhaps, that the relationship was already cooling off behind the scenes.
Reflecting on the Past: Denise Talks Charlie Sheen
Earlier this year, Denise opened up about her past with ex-husband Charlie Sheen during an appearance on the Whine Down with Jana Kramer podcast.
She shared that although they share two daughters, communication between them has always been minimal.
“Truthfully, it wasn’t co-parenting,” she admitted.
“I parent my way. He parents his way. There was no real co-parenting going on.”
Denise said she still wishes for a better relationship with Sheen—not just for herself, but for their daughters’ sake.
“I’m friendly with Charlie, but I wish we were actual friends,” she confessed.
“I wish we could talk all the time and be there for each other with our girls. But that’s not our reality right now.”
Trying to Keep It Together for the Kids
Despite the challenges, Denise said she made a strong effort to protect her children from negativity.
She never spoke badly about Charlie in front of them, even when his life was spiraling due to legal troubles and substance abuse.
“I held my tongue so much. That’s not easy,” she said.
“But now that the girls are older, they’re starting to learn some things I kept from them—and I sometimes wonder if I made the right choice by shielding them.”
Charlie’s Sobriety Journey and Fatherhood Comeback
Charlie Sheen has had his own path of redemption.
He revealed in 2015 that he was living with HIV, but thanks to retroviral treatment, the virus is undetectable.
More recently, he’s shared that he’s been sober since 2017—a life-changing decision triggered by being too intoxicated to drive one of his daughters to an appointment.
Since then, he’s focused on his role as a single dad, especially to his 16-year-old twin sons, Max and Bob, with ex Brooke Mueller.
“My life is really consistent now. It’s all about being a dad,” Sheen told People in December 2023.
Co-Starring on Screen Once More
Despite their rocky history, Denise and Charlie seem to be finding a civil middle ground.
In fact, Charlie recently appeared on her reality show’s latest episode, which just aired on Bravo.
The episode featured a rare family dinner where the exes came together to offer advice to their daughter Lola about dealing with fame.
“Don’t read anything,” Charlie advised her.
“If you don’t read it, it doesn’t exist.”
What’s Next for Denise and Her Blended Family?
As Aaron’s divorce filing unfolds and Denise continues to navigate life with her daughters and a high-profile ex-husband, fans are left wondering what’s next for the Wild Things star.
Will her reality show dive deeper into these personal changes? Will she find peace—and maybe even love—again?
Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Denise Richards is used to handling chaos with grace, and her story is far from over.