NEED TO KNOW
Denise Richards is speaking out about some “painful” moments she encountered in 2025 — and opening up about how she’s looking forward to 2026.
In a post shared to Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 1, Richards, 54, penned a candid caption about her challenging year, which included a tumultuous divorce from her ex, Aaron Phypers, and allegations of his abuse, as well as an eviction after the exes allegedly failed to pay $84,000 in rent.
“Looking back at all the photos & videos I have of 2025, it feels like I’m looking at two different people & lived two different lives,” the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum began the lengthy post, alongside a photo of herself looking at the sunset.
“Seeing a lot of your posts many of you felt the same way. I will never forget this year, one of the most painful years I’ve lived. The year of the snake🐍. A year of shedding, literally 😂 thanks to @drbentalei,” she quipped, referencing a cosmetic procedure. “A year of letting go, truths being exposed.”
“As painful as it is, I’m so grateful for the clarity. I shed a lot of tears and felt pain & betrayal I never knew existed,” she continued, adding that she “couldn’t have gotten through this year if it weren’t for my family, old & new friends, this community, those of you I work with, & @drbentalei & @robertcohenmd, who truly did so much for me.”
“I’m so thankful you all got me through it. And going to Comic-Cons this year & BravoCon was so humbling for me,” she shared, writing that she was moved by meeting her supporters and hearing about how they have “supported me throughout my career.”
“I did have a lot of blessed happy moments in 2025 & especially the last couple months, I’m finally starting to feel like me again, only better,” the mom of three finished, as she referenced the upcoming Chinese New Year, set to take place on Feb. 17 — her 55th birthday.
“I’m looking forward to the year of the Horse. I feel very lucky that it starts on my birthday✨Happy New year to all of you & Happy new You to those of you that really went through it in 2025. Happy 2026!”
Richards has made headlines over the past year for her ongoing split from Phypers.
BACKGRID
Her now-estranged husband first filed for divorce on July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. On July 19, Phypers claimed in an interview with TMZ that Richards allegedly cheated on him with another man at the beginning of the year, in addition to her hitting him, scratching him and smashing his phone.
He also claimed the reality star was addicted to Vicodin in a letter to friends and family that was obtained by Page Six, and claimed that Richards needs an “intervention.”
Days after Phypers’ divorce filing, Richards accused Phypers — whom she wed in 2018 — of domestic violence and said he “repeatedly abused” her throughout their relationship.
He denied the allegations of physical abuse as “completely false and deeply hurtful” in a previous statement to PEOPLE.
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On Friday, Nov. 7, Richards was granted a five-year restraining order against Phypers that’s set to expire in 2030, PEOPLE previously reported.
During an appearance at the Bravo2Bravo panel on Nov. 16, Richards opened up about her contentious split for the first time, sharing that she was doing “good” following the news of the five-year restraining order against Phypers.
“It’s a process. I have such a great support system,” Richards said. “Thank you so much.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
