Kim Richards On Life After Rehab And Reality TV
Kim Richards experienced a tough go the past couple of years. The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was arrested for public intoxication nearly a year ago, after which she entered rehab for the second time in a four-year span.
Although the star slipped up after her last stint in rehab, she says this time it’s much different thanks to her four children who have remained loyal to her and supported her through the trying time.
Richards spoke with People about how much sorrow she felt when she had backslid once more and was arrested. She shared how it had affected her children.
“I felt terrible for my children.That was the thing that bothered me most. I cried because I hurt my kids.”
Kim, who is the mother to Brooke, 30; Whitney, 26; Chad, 24; and Kimberley, 20, has battled with addiction to alcohol most of her life. She has been in and out of rehab and says it’s a terrible feeling to see how her struggle has impacted her kids over the years.
“Sometimes I put my arms around them and I say, ‘I love you, I’m so sorry.’ I know they worried about me.”
Richards’ youngest daughter, Kimberly, spoke about how her mother’s difficulties with addiction have affected her recently.
“My mom is my best friend. Watching her go through a hard time and not being able to rely on her, it was so scary for me.”
In addition to being arrested for public intoxication, Kim was also arrested last year for shoplifting. Stress was high for the actress seeing as she was sick with pneumonia and caring for her ex-husband, Monty Brinson, who was dying from lung cancer and passed away earlier this year.
Kim’s daughter Brooke shared how she believes the arrest was an incident that was a blessing in disguise, as humiliating as it was.
“I’m glad it happened when it did. It got her strong for [my father, Monty] did pass away. Maybe if it hadn’t happened, things would have gotten really bad. But she went through rehab and she got stronger than ever.”
Kimberly chimed in once more to share how things are much calmer and better than they had been.
“Things were so crazy last year. There were so many things going on at one time. Everything has come to a calm. Things have never felt better.”
Kim Richards agrees with her daughter in regard to things being better than ever, yet is still taking recovery day by day.
“There are no guarantees. I’ve made mistakes, but I keep trying. I’ve never done anything intentionally to hurt my children. And I hope, for their sake and for the sake of one day my beautiful grandchildren who will come, that this is it.”
Kim and her daughter Kimberly have returned to television in the Lifetime reality show The Mother And Daughter Experiment. The mother and daughter duo work through their issues that stem from Richards’ difficulties and struggles with sobriety.
“Kim made a triumphant return to film the reunion and everyone was very happy to see her,Her sister Kyle was very emotional and so happy to see Kim received with such an outpouring of love. Kim said she was sober and had been going to AA meetings.”
[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]
