If you’ve watched even five minutes of Bravo in the last decade, you know the hair flip. You know the split. You definitely know the White Party.
Kyle Richards isn't just a cast member. She is the blueprint. As of 2026, she stands as the last remaining original diamond-holder from the very first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. That’s sixteen years of her life—marriages, births, feuds, and very expensive hats—blasted across global television.
But lately? Things are different. The "perfect" life in Encino isn't so perfect anymore. Honestly, the Kyle we see today is a far cry from the woman who used to hide behind Mauricio’s shadow or play the peacemaker between her sisters, Kim and Kathy.
She’s changing. It’s kinda jarring to see, but also weirdly relatable.
The Split That No One Saw Coming
For years, Kyle and Mauricio Umansky were the "gold standard." While every other Beverly Hills marriage was imploding, they were the ones making out on camera and hosting massive family dinners.
Then 2023 happened. The news broke that they were separating after 27 years. Fans were devastated. I mean, if they couldn’t make it, who could?
The reality is a bit more complicated than just "falling out of love." In the most recent episodes of RHOBH, Kyle has been incredibly raw about the breakdown. She’s talked about feeling lonely even when he was in the room. She’s mentioned the "sowing of wild oats" and how she felt he wasn't fighting for her.
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As of early 2026, they are still separated. They aren't divorced—not legally, anyway. They still spend holidays together. They still post for the kids. But Mauricio has moved out to a place in West Hollywood, and Kyle is navigating life as a single woman for the first time since she was a teenager.
It’s messy. It’s human. And for someone who prides herself on being a "fixer," it’s clearly killing her that she can’t fix this.
Kyle of Beverly Hills Housewives: The Morgan Wade Factor
You can’t talk about Kyle right now without talking about Morgan Wade.
The internet basically exploded when Kyle starred in Morgan’s "Fall in Love with Me" music video. The tattoos, the working out, the sudden shift in style—everyone assumed they were a couple.
Kyle finally came clean during Season 15. She admitted she was seeing someone she "cared about very much" during the split. She didn’t use Morgan's name in every sentence, but the "clues" were about as subtle as a neon sign.
The kicker? The relationship is over.
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Basically, the spotlight was too much. Morgan didn't sign up for the reality TV circus. The constant gossip and the paparazzi following them to Nashville eventually burned the whole thing down. Kyle admitted that while she’s an "open book," the person she was with just couldn't handle the microscope.
It’s a classic Hollywood tragedy: the fame that built Kyle’s life ended up being the thing that cost her a new beginning.
Why the Fans are Divided
Some people think Kyle is finally living her truth. Others think she’s having a mid-life crisis and "gaslighting" the audience about her sexuality for years.
- The Pro-Kyle Camp: They love that she’s finally putting herself first. No more performing for the cameras or pretending everything is fine with her sisters.
- The Critics: They’re tired. They feel like she’s been "producing" her own storyline and hiding the real details of her life until she’s forced to share them.
The $100 Million Question
Let’s talk money.
Kyle Richards is wealthy. Like, "don't look at the price tag" wealthy. Most estimates put her net worth around $100 million.
A lot of that is tied up with Mauricio and The Agency, which is why the divorce is taking forever. California is a community property state. We’re talking about massive real estate holdings, the Encino mansion, the Aspen house, and the La Quinta getaway.
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But Kyle has her own bag, too.
- Acting: She’s been working since she was five. Little House on the Prairie, Halloween, ER. Those residuals add up.
- Fashion: Between Kyle by Alene Too (RIP) and her current Kyle x Shahida line, she’s always had a foot in the retail door.
- The Show: She’s reportedly making upwards of $500,000 per season. She is the anchor. Without her, the show loses its center of gravity.
What’s Next for the OG?
Kyle is currently navigating what she calls her "fear-based" decision to stay on the show. She’s scared of change. She’s scared of what her life looks like without the cameras.
In the latest season, her friendship with Dorit Kemsley is on life support. They aren't really speaking. Dorit thinks Kyle is resentful; Kyle thinks Dorit is being "verbose" for the sake of a storyline. It’s the same old Beverly Hills dance, but with higher stakes because these women actually have history.
How to Follow the Journey
If you want to keep up with the latest, here is the best way to handle the "Kyle Richards Experience" without getting lost in the tabloid noise:
- Watch the After Show: This is where the real tea gets spilled. Kyle is often more relaxed here than in the high-stress dinner parties.
- Check her Instagram for the "Vibe": She’s stopped posting "perfect family" photos and started posting more of her solo travels and fitness journey. That’s the real Kyle of 2026.
- Ignore the "Sources": If it doesn't come out of her mouth on camera, take it with a grain of salt. The rumors about her and Mauricio "reconciling" happen every time they share a turkey at Thanksgiving.
Kyle Richards is no longer just a "housewife." She’s a woman in the middle of a massive identity shift. Whether she stays on the show for Season 16 or finally walks away to find peace, she has already cemented her place in the hall of fame.
She survived the bangs of Season 1. She’ll survive this, too.
To stay truly updated on Kyle’s evolving situation, prioritize watching the unfiltered reunion specials where she is forced to answer for her social media activity, and keep an eye on official filings—until a divorce is actually filed in court, the "separation" remains a flexible status quo for the Umansky family.