Honestly, it’s hard to imagine Bravo without Kyle Richards. She’s the last woman standing. As of 2026, she is officially the only original cast member left on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, a feat that feels almost impossible in a world where reality stars cycle through shows like fast fashion. Most people think they know everything about her. They see the splits, the hair flips, and the gorgeous Beverly Hills mansion. But if you've been watching lately, you know the Kyle we’re seeing now is lightyears away from the "Goodbye Kyle!" era.
She’s changing.
The bangs are gone, the marriage is... complicated, and the "perfect" life she curated for over a decade has been dismantled in front of millions. It’s messy. It's real. And frankly, it’s why she’s still the most talked-about person in the franchise.
The Mauricio Split and the 2026 Status Update
Everyone wants to know: are they actually getting divorced? For a long time, Kyle and Mauricio Umansky were the gold standard for Bravo couples. Then 2023 hit, and the world found out they were separating. Fast forward to early 2026, and things are still in a bit of a legal and emotional limbo.
They haven't finalized a divorce yet. They're "amicable." That’s the word Kyle keeps using. At BravoCon late last year, she told fans that they still love each other and are focused on their four daughters. But Mauricio has moved out. He’s been spotted with other people, and Kyle has been doing her own thing. It’s a slow-motion breakup that feels more like a restructuring of a life than a sudden crash.
You have to remember they were married for 27 years. That’s a lifetime. Splitting up assets like The Agency and their various properties isn’t something you do over a weekend. Plus, there’s a deep-rooted friendship there that they aren’t ready to throw away. It’s a nuanced situation that many viewers find frustrating because they want a "yes" or "no" answer, but life—especially a Beverly Hills life—is rarely that simple.
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What Really Happened with Morgan Wade?
The Morgan Wade of it all. This has been the "elephant in the room" for two seasons now. For the longest time, Kyle just called her a "great friend." They got matching tattoos. They traveled to Ireland. They starred in a steamy music video together.
But in the current season (Season 15), Kyle finally opened up a bit more. She admitted she "fell hard" for someone after her split with Mau. While she was careful about names, most fans and even her castmates like Erika Jayne have put the pieces together. Kyle basically explained that the relationship ended because the other person couldn't handle the intense public scrutiny.
Imagine being a private country singer and suddenly having TMZ and millions of Bravo fans dissecting your every move. It’s a lot. Kyle said the "gossip and the talking" is what ultimately killed the romance. Currently, Kyle is single. She’s enjoying her "me time," though she did mention recently that she doesn’t plan on being single forever. She even said she’d like to get married again one day.
The Reality of Being the Last OG
Being the last original cast member is a heavy crown. Kyle’s been doing this for 15 years. That’s 15 years of her sisters’ struggles being aired, her children growing up on camera, and her own personal demons being dissected.
- Season 1: The "You’re a liar and sick and an alcoholic!" moment with Kim.
- The LVP Years: The rise and fall of a legendary friendship.
- The Sobriety Journey: Kyle’s recent shift to a sober, fitness-focused lifestyle.
- Family Drama: The constant tension (and occasional reunions) with Kathy Hilton.
She’s mentioned several times recently that the clock is ticking. She’s not sure how much longer she can do this. Filming Season 15 was reportedly "stressful" and "exhausting." With her youngest daughter, Portia, heading off to college soon, Kyle is facing a massive "empty nester" transition.
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Business and Life Beyond the Diamond
Kyle isn't just a housewife; she's a business. Between her clothing line Kyle x Shahida and her return to acting, she’s diversifying. Did you catch her in the recent Halloween sequels? She went back to her roots as a child actress, and honestly, she’s good. She also just booked a guest spot on the series Wild Cards, playing (ironically) a rich housewife in a reality show.
She’s also the unofficial "queen" of the upcoming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th special. It’s a massive anniversary event filming in 2026 that brings back the icons—Vicki Gunvalson, Teresa Giudice, Luann de Lesseps. Of course Kyle is there. You can’t celebrate 20 years of this franchise without the woman who has navigated Beverly Hills longer than anyone else.
Navigating the New Cast Dynamics
The dynamic on RHOBH has shifted. With Garcelle Beauvais and Sutton Stracke becoming fan favorites, Kyle is no longer the undisputed "protagonist." She’s had to defend herself more than ever.
The 2026 season has seen her clashing with new faces and trying to maintain her long-standing friendship with Dorit Kemsley, who is going through her own messy split with PK. It’s a lot of mirror-imaging. Kyle sees her own struggle in Dorit, and it’s making for some very heavy, very real television.
Why We Still Watch
People love to hate Kyle, and they love to love her. She’s a polarizing figure because she’s a "producer's housewife"—she knows how to move a storyline along. But she’s also someone who deeply cares about her family and her reputation. That tension between "protecting the family" and "making a TV show" is where the best drama happens.
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If you’re looking for the "old Kyle" to return, don’t hold your breath. The woman who worried about what the neighbors thought is gone. The new Kyle is sober, tattooed, single-ish, and seemingly done with making excuses for her life.
How to Keep Up with Kyle’s Journey
If you're trying to stay updated on the latest shifts in Kyle's world, here are the best ways to do it without getting lost in the tabloid noise:
Watch the current season of RHOBH on Peacock. This is where she’s being the most candid about her breakup and her time with Morgan. Pay attention to the "confessionals"—that's where the real tea is spilled.
Follow her Amazon Live sessions. She actually answers fan questions there quite a bit while she’s showing off clothes or home decor. It’s a much more casual vibe than the show.
Look for her on the 20th Anniversary Ultimate Girls Trip. This is going to be the "Avengers" of Housewives, and Kyle is a central player. It’ll show how she interacts with the OGs from other cities, which is always a different side of her personality.
Check the real estate listings. It sounds weird, but in Beverly Hills, the "For Sale" signs tell the real story of a divorce long before the legal papers do.
The "Kyle the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" era isn't over yet, but it's definitely entering its final act. Whether she stays for Season 16 or finally hangs up her diamond, she’s already secured her spot in the reality TV Hall of Fame.