Aaron Phypers’ divorce filing against actress Denise Richards reveals a stark financial reality that many entrepreneurs face when personal relationships intersect with economic dependency. The businessman’s petition, filed on July 7 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, highlights the complex dynamics that emerge when one partner’s earning potential significantly exceeds that of the other.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Phypers has requested spousal support from Richards, who has built an impressive business empire since her “Wild Things” days, earning an estimated $250,000 monthly through television, brand deals, and OnlyFans content.
Denise’s Divorce Drama
According to court documents cited by the Times, Phypers cited “irreconcilable differences” for ending their six-and-a-half-year marriage, listing July 4 as their separation date.
The Times reports his petition reveals a dramatic income disparity: he has generated no income since closing his healing center business last year, while Richards maintains multiple revenue streams that have made her one of reality television’s higher earners.
The couple’s relationship began in 2017 when Richards sought treatment at Phypers’ healing center in Malibu for what she described as “preventative DNA repair.”
Their romance developed while Phypers was separated from his previous wife, “Desperate Housewives” star Nicollette Sheridan, according to People.
Phypers and Sheridan had married in December 2015 but separated just six months later in June 2016, though their divorce wasn’t finalized until August 2018, just one month before his wedding to Richards.
Phypers married Richards in a private Malibu ceremony on Sept. 8, 2018, keeping their engagement deliberately low-profile. The couple shared no biological children, though Phypers, according to People, adopted Richards’ 14-year-old daughter, Eloise, a year after being married.
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star brought her own complicated relationship history to the marriage.
Her previous union with actor Charlie Sheen lasted from 2002 to 2006 and produced two daughters, Sami and Lola. That highly publicized divorce clearly left lasting impressions on Richards’ approach to future relationships.
In a revealing moment captured on her Peacock series “Denise Richards & Her Wild Things,” Richards made her position on divorce unmistakably clear: “I’m never getting divorced again. Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f—king get divorced.”
When pressed further, she elaborated on the psychological toll of her previous public breakup, explaining, “The judgment from other people and being made out to be this awful woman. I’ll never get divorce, even if we hate each other.”
Phypers seemed to share this sentiment, responding that if they ever grew apart, “We’ll just have different homes or something. But we’re not gonna hate each other.”
These statements, made just months before the divorce filing, illustrate how quickly circumstances can change when financial pressures mount.
The businessman reportedly is seeking maintain separate ownership of his personal assets, including power tools, a motorcycle, and a sports car, despite seeking support during his career transition.
Phypers’ previous marriage to Sheridan ended with neither party receiving spousal support, according to court documents. In that settlement, both parties waived any right to future spousal support and reached a property division agreement that allowed each to keep their personal possessions and individual assets.