Almost two decades since their divorce, Denise Richards talks about how terrible things were with Charlie Sheen.
During the early 2000s, Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen were one of Hollywood’s most famous couples. However, after three years of marriage, what followed the duo was a highly publicized divorce.
In 2015 Richards notably filed divorce papers while she was six months pregnant with the couple’s second child Lola who she gave birth to months later. With both being highly rated Hollywood stars, gossip tabloids published every rumor they could get out of the saga.
However, after 17 years since the famous debacle, Richards recently stated that the divorce proceedings were much worse than what people knew. The actress made this shocking revelation during her appearance on the “Divorce Not Dead” podcast with host Caroline Stanbury.
Richards stated that appearing with Sheen on his popular sitcom “Two and a Half Men” required putting on a facade. Sheen, who has a long-standing history of getting in trouble, was charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend Britney Ashland in 1996.
He was also charged with assaulting ex-wife Brooke Mueller who he married after Richards divorced him. Richards explained that shielding their kids from their father’s dangerous nature was one of the reasons she divorced him. The actress remarked:
“Would I want my daughters to be married to this man?” Richards said she asked herself. “No offense to him, but it’s true. And I think he would take that, he would understand what I’m saying. … It was very toxic.”
Richards Wanted To Protect Their Daughters
The actress recounted Sheen’s infamous interview after being fired from “Two and a Half Men” when the actor went on talk shows to berate his former colleagues. She explained that his state at the time further encouraged her to keep their daughters away from him.
Richards said that her actions made easier to tell her kids she did everything possible to shield them and even make them a family. The actress also declared how she blamed herself for breaking up the family for years.
Still, Richards does not regret her decision to marry Sheen. According to the actress, their relationship allowed their kids to be born. She said:
“To this day, Charlie does know he can call me at any time, no matter what. I don’t care what he says or does, I will show up and be there because I always wanted him — and still do — to be the best dad for our daughters.”
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards’ Relationship
The duo first met in 2000 during the filming of the movie “Good Advice,” in which they both starred in. During this time, their relationship was simply platonic. However, things changed in 2001 when Richards guest-starred in the series “Spin City” with Sheen as part of the main cast. Their second encounter changed things, and the duo started a romantic relationship soon after.
The couple went to Sheen’s condo on their first date to watch the San Francisco Giants game. According to Richards, by their second date, she already wanted to marry Sheen but didn’t voice her desire to not scare the actor.
Nevertheless, on December 26, 2001, less than three months after their first date, Sheen went on his knees to propose to Richards. The couple was on vacation at a spa in Arizona when the actor popped the question.
By June 15, 2002, the couple exchanged marital vows in Gary David Goldberg’s Brentwood, California estate. Almost two years later, the couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Sam Sheen on March 9, 2004.
Months later, on December 17, 2004, the couple announced they were expecting another child. According to Richards’ agent, the couple could not have asked for a better Christmas present.
Divorce and Reconciliation Attempts
Just six months into her pregnancy, Richards filed for divorce from Sheen, citing irreconcilable differences. On March 2, 2005, the duo welcomed their second child, daughter Lola Rose Sheen.
After the birth of their daughter, Sheen and Richards attempted to reconcile. According to reports, the actress never wanted them to separate and instead hoped they could save their marriage.
Sadly things didn’t work out as she wanted, and by January 4, 2006, the pair decided to move ahead with their divorce. The pair worked privately to settle their divorce and not make it into a public spectacle.
Finally, on November 30, 2006, almost two years after Richards filed the divorce paperwork, their marriage ended. The duo was given permission to marry other people they wanted, although decisions on assets and custody agreements were still ongoing. Sheen’s promiscuous adventures afterward led to be contracting HIV. He joined the likes of Magic Johnson as stars who live with the disease.