Mauricio Umansky Reveals Real Estate Move That Led to Fallout Between Kyle Richards and the Hilton Family

Mar. 15, 2025

Mauricio Umansky.Photo:JC Olivera/WireImage

JC Olivera/WireImage

Mauricio Umanskyis shedding light on what led to the rift between his wife,Kyle Richards, and the Hilton family.

In asneak peekofBuying Beverly Hills' upcoming season 2 premiere, Umansky opened up about how his decision to leave luxury real estate brokerage Hilton & Hyland after not being made a partner affected his wife’s relationship with her family, including sister Kathy Hilton and brother-in-law Rick Hilton.

Umansky said he expressed his desire to advance in the company to his brother-in-law,Rick Hilton, who co-founded the real estate firm. A representative for Hilton & Hyland tells PEOPLE, Rick is no longer associated with the company and “does not have any ownership” of it.

“I went to Rick and said, ‘I’d really like equity, right, and to be a partner.’ He went back, talked toJeff [Hyland], got back to me, and basically, I was told no,” explained Umansky. “Then I went home, I talked to Kyle, I go, ‘This is really going to cause a lot of stress between you, your sister, and your family, and I don’t want to do this move of leaving and starting a company if you’re not comfortable.”

Mauricio Umansky and Rick Hilton.Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation

AlthoughUmansky went on to found The Agency, his own real estate firm with Billy Rose and Blair Chang, in September 2011, he said he still considers Hilton & Hyland “an amazing company.”

“I’d never be caught speaking poorly about them because I don’t think poorly about them,” Umansky said. “I am Rick’s brother-in-law, but unfortunately, it got sour because it really affected the family, Kyle more than anybody.”

(L-R) Kathy Hilton, Kim Richards and Kyle Richards.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

The entrepreneur said that Richards’ family “stopped speaking to her” but that “she understood that what was done to me was wrong.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Hilton & Hyland for comment.

After theBuying Beverly Hillspreview dropped, Kathy and Rick’s daughterParis Hiltonresponded to the preview clip in the comment section of a fan account on Instagram.

“My father is a consummate gentleman and has always taken the higher road. He would never speak negatively about his family- especially in the press. Frankly we are all sick of him using the Hilton name every chance he gets to plug his lame show. It is enough already,” she wrote of Umansky.

PEOPLE confirmed that Umansky and Richardsseparated after 27 years of marriage in July 2023.Days later, Netflix confirmed to PEOPLE that “Kyle will indeedappear inBuying Beverly Hillsseason 2.”

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Buying Beverly Hillsseason 2 premieres March 22 on Netflix.

source: people.com