Kyle Richards responds to separation reports in new statement details

The reality star and her husband married in 1996 and have three daughters together

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards and her husband, Mauricio Umansky, hit headlines on Monday when reports swirled that they had separated after 27 years of marriage.

The reality star has since spoken out on the reports, maintaining that while she and her husband are not divorcing, they have had a "rough" and "challenging" year in their marriage.

In a joint statement on Instagram, the two wrote: "In regards to the news that came out about us today… Any claims regarding us divorcing are untrue. However, yes, we have had a rough year. The most challenging one of our marriage. But we both love and respect each other tremendously."

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The statement continued: "There has been no wrongdoing on anyone's part. Although we are in the public eye, we ask to be able to work through parishes privately. While it might be entertaining to speculate, please do not create false stories to fit a further salacious narrative." People first reported the news, citing that they remain amicable and are still living together as they try to work out the next steps in their relationship.

Kyle and Mauricio first met at a nightclub in 1994 shortly after the actress divorced her first husband Guraish Aldjufrie, with whom she shares daughter Farrah Brittany, 34.

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They tied the knot in January 1996 and share three daughters together, Alexia, 27, Sophia, 23 and Portia, 15.

Kyle grew up in Hollywood as a child actress, most memorably in the original Halloween in 1978; her sister and former co-star Kim Richards was also a child star. As an adult, she saw her niece Paris Hilton (whose mom is her eldest sister, Kathy Hilton) become a huge star. But her and Mauricio's family-of-five really entered the spotlight in 2010 when the hit Bravo reality show first premiered in 2010.

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Earlier this year when Kyle was spotted out without her wedding ring, Mauricio maintained: "We're not getting divorced," while appearing on an episode of Housewives alum Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave and Tamra Judge's podcast Two T's In a Pod in April.

He added: "I mean, it's so dumb. That one stupid story that came out there, and then the girls all, you know, decided to talk about it on the Housewives, and so now it's a storyline."

When they celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2021, Kyle told Bravo Insider of the milestone: "It means so much, and it's something that we're both incredibly proud of," noting: "For me, it's one of my biggest accomplishments."

She added: "I mean, I think it's refreshing, in this town to be married [for] 25 years is a really big deal. And we're really proud to be good role models to our daughters."

"Yeah, I mean, this means a lot," Mauricio concurred, and said: "You know, to be quite honest, it feels easy and doesn't feel like it's been that long. So it's been great and beautiful.

"And, you know, I definitely intend to spend the rest of my life with her. So hopefully it'll be at least another 25 years, and maybe another 50."

In the midst of Kyle's contentious family drama with Kathy, which most notably played out in RHOBH's season 12, Mauricio was sure to stand by his wife's side.

He told E! in November 2022: "I have always just been 100 percent supportive of her, no matter what she does," adding: "If she wants to reconcile [with Kathy], I am all down for it. If she's not ready to reconcile and she needs to just keep it going for a little bit, I support her a thousand percent."

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