Kim Richards Opens On Divorce, Her Hardships, And The Joy Of Motherhood

Feb 14, 2022

Kim Richards has been a pivotal figure in the public eye for several decades. She first emerged on the scene as a child star and went on to find some success in acting as an adult. However, many people recognize her from her time on the Bravo reality series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Richards was born on Sept. 19, 1964, in New York. Her older sisters are also very famous. Richards’ older half-sister is Kathy Hilton – whom she is related to through Richards’ mother’s first marriage. Hilton is best known for being a socialite and as the mother of Paris and Nicky Hilton. Richards’ younger sister is Kyle Richards, who is also an actress. Kyle has been on every season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” thus far, while Kathy has also appeared in a couple of seasons.

Over the years, Richards has had waves of successes and failures as she gained a resurgence in popularity with her television appearances but also was seen in a bad light following substance issues and arrests. While many family members have had their personal lives shared in the public eye, Richards’ struggles have been at the forefront of media attention for many years. 

The actress has publicly spoken about her struggles with addiction and other hardships. Richard also was there to lend a supportive hand to her ex-husband, Monty Brinson, during the time he was sick with cancer before dying of cancer. Read on to find out more about the life, career, and hardships of Richards and what her life looks like now.

As a child actress, Richards found great success. Her claim to fame came from various roles, including “Nanny and the Professor,” “Escape to Witch Mountain,” and “Return from Witch Mountain.” She also appeared in a handful of other Disney programs and various commercials on television.

During her young adulthood, Richards appeared in a few movies, including “Meatballs Part II” and “Tuff Turf.” She revived her career a bit in the late 2000s with a supporting role in “Black Snake Moan” alongside Christina Ricci, as well as a cameo appearance in “Race to Witch Mountain” in 2009.

In 2010, Richards became a main cast member on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alongside her sister Kyle. They had a rocky relationship on the show and have continued to work on their relationship over the past few years. Richards was later let go as a full-time cast member after starring on the show for five seasons but returned a few times over the next few seasons as a guest.

During her time on the show, Richards’ addiction came to light. She later faced a string of issues surrounding her issues with alcohol. According to Bravo TV, Richards was arrested in August 2015 for shoplifting from Target before later reaching a plea deal with the case. Some details about her sentence included two days in jail as well as being sent to 52 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. She had previously been arrested at the Beverly Hills Hotel in April 2015 for public intoxication, trespassing, resisting arrest, and battery on a police officer, according to Bravo TV.

Through the tough times, Richards had the support of her ex-husband Brinson. The pair were married from 1985 to 1988 and remained close friends afterwards. Richards was left heartbroken following Brinson’s death from cancer in January 2016. “Kim is devastated,” a source told PEOPLE at the time. 

PEOPLE reported that the pair had celebrated each other’s birthdays with one another in 2015, showing just how close they still were. Brandi Glanville, Richards’ friend and former castmate said that Brinson was Richards’ “ride or die,” explaining how Richards was doing everything she could to help her ex during his final days.

Richards’ marriage to Brinson also gave her her first daughter, Brooke. After the pair divorced, Richards went on to marry Gregg Davis and had two children with him – a daughter named Whitney and a son named Chad. Following their divorce in 1991, Richards once again found love with commodities salesman John Collett. 

Starcasm reported that Collett was murdered on Oct. 28, 1991, for being a central figure in a scam that involved 8,000 elderly investors and nearly $150 million in losses. Richards was “devastated” by the incident. She later had a relationship with aircraft-parts supplier John Jackson and gave birth to their daughter Kimberly in August 1995.

Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in Richards’ life as she is working to stay sober while enjoying time with her family. Some of her brightest moments include her two grandchildren. Speaking with PEOPLE back in 2018, Richards said, “Right now, I’m really at a peaceful place in my life, being a mom and a grandmother. It’s just so amazing for me.”

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