Kim Richards Says She Hasn't Spoken to Sister Kyle in Months amid Separation: 'I Was Worried' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

DirecTV XMAS at Kathy’s in Bel Air, California on November 28, 2023.

Given the focus on family during the holiday season,Kathy Hiltonand her sistersKim RichardsandKyle Richardsare coming together — and clearing the air.

The months leading up to Kyle’s JulyseparationfromMauricio Umansky, her 53-year-oldhusband of 27 years, has beenplaying out onRHOBHin recent weeks, and the actress admitted she “was not looking forward to shooting this season.”

She explained, “It’s funny because it’s a storyline, but that storyline is my life. I don’t have a great poker face, so it was a challenge for me and I didn’t expect some of the women to come at me regarding my marriage.”

Kyle, who also lost her best friend Lorene Shea to mental illness earlier this year, added of her castmates, “I felt like they could have been more supportive. It’s been difficult.”

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Kyle Richards attends the DIRECTV Celebrates Christmas At Kathy’s even

Kim, who’s also an alum of the show, told PEOPLE she tried to be there to comfort her sister — but wasn’t given the chance.

“I don’t know anything about what’s going on with her. I didn’t talk to Kyle,” she shared bluntly. “She didn’t call me at all really, but I called her every day or at least once a week and just said ‘I love you. I’m here for you.’ I was hurt because I’ve always been her go-to. When her friend Lorene died, I was the one she came to.”

To that, Kathy said of Kyle, “She’s been through a lot this year.”

Kyle acknowledged she has a habit of using isolation to cope: “When I’m struggling, I keep to myself a lot. That’s how I kind of operate. I get quiet.”

Kim interjected, “You didn’t used to be like that.”

“Well, I am now,” responded Kyle.

DirecTV XMAS at Kathy’s in Bel Air, California on November 28, 2023.

Kathy noted that supporting Kyle through her separation hasn’t been easy for her either. “Nobody knew if they were going to work it out. On the one hand you don’t really want to say anything because there arefour children,” she says. “What I wanted to do was send her a lot of fun things to make her laugh, but also spiritual quotes. She really appreciated that.”

“A lot of things get exaggerated. I’ll read, ‘Kyle and Kathy are still not talking’ and it’s like, ‘What? That was months ago and it was for a short time,'" she says. “All my sisters and I are ride-or-die. That’s the way we were raised.”

Added Kyle, “It’s nice because the holidays are when you really want to be with your family and if you’re having issues you miss them the most during the holidays, so it’s nice to all be together.”

DirecTV XMAS at Kathy’s in Bel Air, California on November 28, 2023.

For Kim, who acknowledged she’s also been distant and “working on myself” out of the public eye, this holiday season offers a chance to finally see her sister and try get back on the same page.

“I think tonight is a kick-off to the holidays because I haven’t seen Kyle and I miss her,” she says. “I was worried about her, and I was hurt — just all kinds of little things that I felt because I didn’t hear from her. I just wanted to hear her voice to let me know she was OK.”

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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsairs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo and can be streamed in full on Peacock.

source: people.com