Denise Richards made her first big splash in Hollywood in the late ‘90s, grabbing everyone’s attention with standout performances in “Starship Troopers” and the steamy cult classic “Wild Things.” Born and raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, Richards seemed for a while like a classic Hollywood story: The model-next-door makes it big, becomes a Bond girl, and takes over red carpets. But what’s really interesting about Denise is how she’s stuck around, finding new directions for her career even when, frankly, the odds were against her – and the tabloids were circling.
Over the years, Denise has managed to transform herself again and again. From film and TV gigs to modeling, and then shifting into the world of reality TV with “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” she’s stayed relevant where many other ‘90s icons have faded.
The Real Story Behind Her Relationships
It’s almost impossible to talk about Denise Richards without mentioning how much the public has obsessed over her personal life, sometimes seeming to care more about who she’s dating than what role she’s playing. And honestly, she’s given us a lot to talk about – her romantic history reads like a greatest hits list of ‘00s tabloid drama.
Right now, Denise seems to be focusing on herself and her kids after her separation from Aaron Phypers. They got married in 2018 (in a wedding filmed for “RHOBH,” of course), and although reports say things are rocky and they may be headed for divorce, neither has said anything definitive publicly. It would be easy to speculate, but Denise has always kept at least a little bit back for herself, even when the cameras are rolling.
It’s not a coincidence that most of Denise’s serious relationships have been with people who genuinely understand life in the spotlight. There’s a certain logic to that; it takes someone who lives and breathes the chaos of Hollywood to get what it’s like to have your entire life become public property.
Her marriage to Charlie Sheen is probably what most people remember first. They met, married in 2002, and had two daughters before everything very publicly fell apart in 2005 – while Denise was pregnant with their second child. The divorce was, to put it mildly, a mess, but the fact that they’re now able to co-parent peacefully is honestly kind of impressive, considering how bitter things got.
After Sheen, Denise’s love life continued to be headline fodder:
- Richie Sambora (2006-2007): Dating your ex-friend’s ex-husband? That’s reality TV gold, even before she was a housewife. Denise and the Bon Jovi guitarist were open about their romance, but Denise later insisted her friendship with Heather Locklear was already over by the time they got together.
- Nikki Sixx (2010): This was a whirlwind, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it fling with the Mötley Crüe bassist. They dated for a few months, made some noise, and then quietly moved on.
- Aaron Phypers (2018–recent): Denise and Aaron’s quickie romance and marriage played out on reality TV, but their more recent split has been handled much more privately.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Denise Richards story without a dose of scandal. “RHOBH” fans will remember the explosive allegations from Brandi Glanville, who claimed she had a brief affair with Denise – a claim Denise strenuously denied. The drama basically took over the show’s 2019-2020 season and is widely seen as one reason Denise walked away after just two seasons.
There have always been rumors – Patrick Muldoon, her “Starship Troopers” co-star, and even Bradley Cooper have been linked to her at various points – but Denise herself never confirmed anything more than friendship.
One thing that’s always stood out about Denise is how she talks about relationships and family. She’s been honest about how her priorities have shifted, telling Women’s Health in 2012, “I’ve learned that chemistry isn’t everything. Finding someone who’s good with your kids and supports your career – that’s what matters in the long run.” While a lot of stars go out of their way to trash their exes for attention, Denise has usually taken the high road, especially when it comes to protecting her daughters. Even in the messiest days with Sheen, she tried to keep their drama from affecting the kids.
Past Relationships
Brandi Glanville
Aaron Phypers
Nikki Sixx
Bradley Cooper
Richie Sambora
Charlie Sheen
Scott Baio
Patrick Muldoon
Paul Walker
John Stamos
These days, Denise seems happiest keeping the focus close to home with her three daughters – Sami and Lola (with Sheen), plus her adopted daughter Eloise. Whether she’s dating anyone new is her business, and honestly? After everything she’s been through in public, that’s probably the healthiest move she could make.
