Kyle Richards revealed during an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that the decision to separate from her husband, Mauricio Umansky after 27 years of marriage was her idea. This was her first interview since PEOPLE exclusively reported their marital troubles in July. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, aged 54, confessed to Andy Cohen that she initiated the change in their marital status, saying, “It originated from me, I’ll say.” She appeared on the show with her best friend and former RHOBH star, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave.
Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky, who is 53, have been married since January 1996, having first crossed paths at a nightclub in 1994. They have daughters Alexia (27), Sophia (23), and Portia (15), along with Farrah Brittany (née Aldjufrie), aged 34, from Kyle’s previous marriage to Guraish Aldjufrie.
Reports from a source close to the couple in July indicated that they had been separated for a while but were still living under the same roof, maintaining an amicable relationship while they figured out their next steps. At that time, both Richards and Umansky denied divorce rumors but acknowledged that they had experienced a “rough year” in a joint statement on Instagram.
Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky (Credits: Bravo TV)
The difficulties in their marriage played out in the Season 13 premiere of RHOBH, with Richards openly expressing a feeling of disconnection in their relationship. She stated, “I mean, sometimes you’re married, and they can do no wrong. Other times, they breathe, and you want to punch them.” On WWHL, Richards shared more about their current living situation, mentioning that they were residing on separate floors in their California mansion, with her letting Umansky have the primary bedroom, describing it as “masculine,” while she stayed on the glam-themed upstairs floor.
She also talked about her children’s initial reaction to the separation, describing it as “really, really devastating” for the entire family. However, she noted that they had since become stronger and had been a great source of support for her during this challenging period.
Addressing misconceptions about the separation, Richards expressed frustration with the idea that they were doing it for ratings. She firmly rejected such notions, emphasizing her love for the show but stating that she would never put her family’s well-being at risk for the sake of the show.
During the interview, Richards also mentioned the support she received from her sisters, Kathy Hilton and Kim Richards, who offered their love and reassurance during this difficult time.
Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Credits: HELLO! Magazine)
The new season of RHOBH briefly resumed filming after news of the separation broke, and it featured cast members expressing their surprise and skepticism about the situation. Some speculated about Richards’ friendship with country singer Morgan Wade, particularly her decision not to wear a wedding band.
Richards explained that her relationship with Wade was entirely platonic and that the rumors were likely fueled by Wade’s appearance, including her tattoos. She also joked about people making similar speculations about her friendship with Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave.
In a separate interview, Mauricio Umansky opened up about their marital difficulties, acknowledging that they were going through a rough patch after 27 years of marriage. He emphasized their commitment to working through their issues and defended Kyle from intense public scrutiny.
Umansky was spotted holding hands with his Dancing with the Stars partner, Emma Slater, which visibly affected Kyle. She expressed her hurt feelings about the photos but couldn’t confirm if there was a romantic involvement between them.
