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Credit: Hahn Lionel/ABACA USA/INSTARimages.com

Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers shocked many with their breakup earlier this month. But according to a new report, their split came as no surprise to loved ones.

Following the news that Aaron, 49, filed for divorce last week after six years of marriage, claiming he separated from the 54-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum on July 4, an insider has described their marriage as toxic, stating that they had engaged in a blow-out fight prior to Aaron’s filing and sharing how Denise has been coping with the end of their romance.

“All they were doing was fighting. It was very toxic,” a source told the Daily Mail on July 11, via Page Six. “They have been having trouble for some time, but they had a row over the weekend where they basically were like, ‘F*ck you,’ and he marched off to file for divorce.”

While Denise is “100% not looking forward to the divorce because [Aaron has] made it clear that he won’t go quietly, and she now has to gear up for a battle, which isn’t what she wants,” the source went on to note that she was “mentally exhausted from the fighting” and “glad that’s over.”

“[She’s] devastated and relieved at the same time,” the insider explained.

As for the root of their issues, the source noted that finances played a role.

“She earns, and he spends,” they shared. 

In Aaron’s filing days ago, he admitted he had “not made income since” closing his wellness business in 2024, and he claimed Denise was pulling in over $250,000 monthly from her OnlyFans account, TV appearances, and endorsement deals.

Aaron also revealed they were spending over $100,000 on rent, bills, food, and other expenses. 

Oddly, just before Aaron filing for divorce, Denise proclaimed on her since-canceled reality show, Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, that they would “never” get divorced.

“Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f*cking get divorced,” she declared. “We’ll just have different homes or something. … But we’re not gonna hate each other.”

Although Denise has not responded to Aaron’s filing, nor has she commented publicly on their split, Aaron stepped out shortly after their breakup, noticeably without his wedding ring.

In photos shared by Page Six, Aaron was seen running errands in Los Angeles last Thursday in a pair of jeans, a baseball cap, and a black T-shirt.

Denise Richards appeared on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in a full-time role on seasons nine and 10.