Denise Richards Looks Ahead to a Fresh Start in 2026 After a Difficult Year
Denise Richards anticipates a fresh beginning in 2026 following a difficult year.
Posting on her Instagram on Thursday, January 1, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member, 54, described 2025 as “one of the most distressing years I’ve experienced.”
“Looking back at all the photographs & videos I have of 2025, it feels like I’m observing two distinct individuals & living two separate lives. Seeing many of your posts, a lot of you felt similarly. I will never forget this year, one of the most distressing years I’ve experienced,” Richards reflected.
She continued, “A year of releasing attachments, truths being revealed. As challenging as it was, I’m incredibly thankful for the clarity. I shed many tears and felt pain & betrayal I never knew existed.”
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The Wild Things actress went on to thank her family, friends and medical professionals for helping her navigate the year in which she faced both personal and physical hurdles.
Richards is currently navigating a complicated divorce from her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, 53.
As Us Weekly previously reported, Phypers initiated divorce proceedings on July 7, 2025 after six years of marriage. Richards subsequently filed for a protective order days later. She accused Phypers of abusive behavior during their relationship, which he strongly denied.
The court granted Richards a permanent protective order against Phypers on November 7, 2025. Phypers was arrested at court on October 17, 2025 after testifying as part of the protective order trial. Prosecutors have charged Phypers with two felony counts of injuring a spouse and two felony counts of obstructing a witness by force or threat. Phypers faces potential years in prison if convicted.
Prior to her relationship with Phypers, Richards was married to actor Charlie Sheen, 60, from 2002 to 2006. They share two daughters: Sam, 21 and Lola, 20. (Richards later adopted daughter Eloise in 2011.)
In 2025, Richards also encountered a physical setback when she ruptured her breast implants during a particularly demanding task while participating in season 3 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
“I jumped off a bridge, too — and that’s when I ruptured my [breast] implants — off of that thing,” Richards explained on SiriusXM’s “Jeff Lewis Live” on January 3, 2025, while discussing the physical challenges she faced on the show.
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Richards also expressed her appreciation for her fans in her reflective Instagram post and conveyed her desire to focus on the future.
“Attending comic cons this year & Bravocon was so humbling for me. Meeting all of you [fans] & hearing how much you’ve supported me throughout my career. I’m so grateful to all of you,” Richards wrote.
She added, “I did have many blessed happy moments in 2025 & especially the last few months, I’m finally beginning to feel like myself again, only improved. I’m looking forward to the year of the Horse. I feel very fortunate that it begins 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!
