Denise Richards has shared her feelings regarding a significant betrayal in her ongoing separation from Aaron Phypers, her estranged husband. In a recent episode of “The Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg Show,” she spoke openly about the financial impact of their marriage, revealing that she unintentionally covered the salary and severance of a woman allegedly involved with Phypers.
Richards mentioned, “I paid her payroll, her severance—how could she look me in the eye?” This revelation came during the episode aired on October 13. The former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star has been caught up in a lengthy and contentious divorce from Phypers, which has been complicated by allegations of multiple affairs that surfaced only after their separation.
Both sides—Richards and Phypers—have not commented immediately on the latest claims. These accusations arise almost a year after Richards was granted a five-year restraining order against Phypers amid allegations of both physical and emotional abuse.
The court issued this permanent restraining order on November 7, 2025, after Richards accused Phypers of mistreatment, which is set to remain in effect until November 7, 2030.
In October 2025, Phypers faced arrest during court proceedings tied to spousal abuse claims from incidents dating back to 2017 and 2022, as stated in documents reviewed. At that time, Richards testified that Phypers sought to damage her reputation amidst the fallout of their relationship, even allegedly leaking nude photographs of her, which she claimed followed him stealing her laptop.
Expressing the distress this situation has caused her family, she explained to the judge how the leaked photos have negatively affected her daughters, noting, “I’m so embarrassed and shameful as a mom. [My daughter] couldn’t go to church.” Phypers has denied these allegations in a statement.
During the legal proceedings, Richards provided disturbing details about the physical and emotional abuse she endured, recounting experiences that left her genuinely terrified for her safety. In a declaration from July 16, she described instances of choking, violence, and threats to her life, saying, “Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help — none of which ever happened. Aaron has caused me at least three concussions.”
