The $15 Million Fallout: Inside Denise Richards' Contentious Divorce From Aaron Phypers And Her Rocky Relationship History

The tumultuous marital life of actress and reality star Denise Richards has once again captured global headlines, with her current divorce from husband Aaron Phypers proving to be her most contentious legal battle to date. As of December 2025, the separation is escalating into a full-blown courtroom drama involving restraining orders, abuse allegations, and a complex financial dispute, overshadowing even her infamous split from Charlie Sheen. This article provides the most recent and comprehensive update on the ongoing legal proceedings and the full scope of her challenging relationship history.

The latest court filings, which became public in the latter half of 2025, confirm that Richards is navigating a deeply personal and difficult period, contrasting sharply with her public image. The legal fight with Phypers, combined with the lingering financial disputes from her first marriage, paints a picture of a star fighting fiercely for her family and her peace.

Denise Richards: Full Biography and Career Profile

Denise Lee Richards is an American actress, television personality, and former fashion model whose career has spanned over three decades, marked by iconic film roles and a high-profile presence in reality television.

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• Full Name: Denise Lee Richards
• Date of Birth: February 17, 1971
• Birth Place: Downers Grove, Illinois, USA
• Height: 5' 6" (1.68 m)
• Marital Status (Current): Separated/Divorcing (from Aaron Phypers)
• Spouses:
  • Charlie Sheen (m. 2002; div. 2006)
  • Aaron Phypers (m. 2018; sep. 2025)
• Children:
  • Sami Sheen (Daughter, b. 2004)
  • Lola Rose Sheen (Daughter, b. 2005)
  • Eloise Joni Richards (Adopted Daughter, b. 2011)
• Career Highlights: Rose to prominence with roles in the cult science fiction film Starship Troopers (1997), the erotic thriller Wild Things (1998), and as a Bond girl (Dr. Christmas Jones) in The World Is Not Enough (1999). She later became a prominent figure in reality TV, starring in her own show Denise Richards: It's Complicated and as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH).

The Immediate Crisis: Aaron Phypers Files for Divorce in 2025

The most pressing legal matter for Denise Richards is the sudden and contentious end of her second marriage to Aaron Phypers. The couple, who married in a surprise ceremony in September 2018, appeared united on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and throughout their six-year union.

The Timeline of Separation and Legal Filings

The separation became public when Aaron Phypers filed for divorce in Los Angeles in July 2025. The filing cited the standard "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split, with the date of separation listed as July 4th. This timeline suggests a rapid deterioration of the marriage just after the Independence Day holiday weekend.

The divorce quickly turned hostile, moving far beyond a standard celebrity split. Phypers, a businessman and energy healer, reportedly sought spousal support from Richards, claiming he had no income. This request for spousal support from the Hollywood actress immediately raised eyebrows and fueled media speculation about the true nature of their financial arrangement.

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Restraining Orders and Abuse Allegations

In a shocking escalation of the legal battle, Denise Richards was granted a permanent restraining order against Aaron Phypers. This order was granted following serious abuse claims made by Richards, indicating a deeply troubled and potentially dangerous end to their relationship. The details of the alleged abuse have been kept largely private but the court’s decision to grant a permanent restraining order underscores the severity of the situation.

Further adding to the drama, reports surfaced that Phypers was arrested on an unspecified charge amid the ongoing legal drama. These events have cemented the Richards-Phypers divorce as one of the most high-stakes and volatile celebrity separations of 2025, a stark contrast to the quiet beginning of their marriage.

The Lingering Shadow of Charlie Sheen: Custody and Child Support

While the Phypers divorce dominates current headlines, any discussion of Denise Richards' legal history is incomplete without acknowledging the long-running saga with her first husband, actor Charlie Sheen. Their marriage lasted from 2002 to 2006, producing two daughters, Sami Sheen and Lola Rose Sheen.

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The Battle for Financial Stability

The divorce from Charlie Sheen was notoriously public and acrimonious, involving years of custody disputes and financial wrangling. The most significant recent update in this long-term conflict pertains to child support payments. Despite their initial agreement, a judge ultimately ruled to remove Charlie Sheen’s child support obligation to Richards for their daughters. This ruling was a massive financial blow and a major point of contention for Richards, who has consistently stated she prioritizes the well-being and stability of her children.

The complexity of their relationship has been a recurring theme in the media, particularly as their daughters, Sami and Lola, have grown into young adults. Richards has often spoken about the challenges of co-parenting with the volatile actor, highlighting the need for a stable environment for her children.

The $15 Million Debt Allegation

The financial fallout from Sheen’s past relationships continues to surface. While not directly related to Richards’ current child support status, a recent court filing by Sheen's other ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, alleged that the actor owes her over $15 million in unpaid child support. This staggering figure underscores the financial chaos that has surrounded Charlie Sheen for years and provides context to the ongoing legal and financial battles Richards has had to endure.

The entity of Brooke Mueller's case, while separate, keeps the spotlight on the broader issue of Sheen's financial reliability and the long-term struggle Richards faced in securing financial stability for her daughters, further enriching the topical authority of the divorce narrative.

Denise Richards: A Pattern of Resilience

Denise Richards' public life has been defined by dramatic highs and lows, both professionally and personally. From her breakout roles in Hollywood to her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she has maintained a presence in the spotlight. Her current fight with Aaron Phypers, involving serious allegations and a permanent restraining order, is the latest chapter in a life lived under intense scrutiny. The ability of Richards to navigate these complex and emotionally draining legal battles, while maintaining her career and focusing on her three daughters—Sami Sheen, Lola Rose Sheen, and Eloise Joni Richards—demonstrates a profound level of resilience.

The ongoing divorce from Phypers, marked by the request for spousal support and the dramatic legal protections granted to Richards, is a stark reminder that celebrity divorces are often far more complicated and painful than the public realizes. As the legal proceedings continue in Los Angeles, fans and media outlets are closely watching to see how the actress will ultimately secure her peace and financial independence from her second husband, while simultaneously managing the long-term complexities of her first marriage's fallout.