Ethermac Exchange-RHOBH: Kyle Richards & Mauricio Umansky Have Tense Confrontation About Control Prior to Separation

Kyle Richards has a new lease on Ethermac Exchangelife—but not everyone is on board.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' season 13 premiere gave fans the first look at the Bravo star's marriage problems with husband Mauricio Umansky prior to their separation this summer. In fact, the Halloween Ends actress got candid about drifting apart amid their busy schedules during the Oct. 25 episode.

"Mo and I have had a challenging year together," a frustrated Kyle shared. "He has been working non-stop, I've been working. When you have to schedule a meeting to go over your schedule, you know it's a problem."

After finally getting the real estate agent to take a break from his work calls, Mauricio complimented his wife of 27 years amid her recent health and fitness journey.

"You look amazing," he gushed. "You're working out like a beast right now, you're eating well, you're not drinking. You're changing your life."

As for what prompted her to give up alcohol last year and get in shape, Kyle admitted it was a rough 2022, which included her season 12 falling out with sister Kathy Hilton and the loss her lifelong friend Lorene Shea.

"When you go through painful times in your life, it changes you as a person," the 54-year-old explained in a confessional. "My sister feeling let down by my friends, feeling disconnected from my husband, you have to find an outlet. I feel good about it and I hope Mo does too because here I am."

During their chat, Mauricio noticed a new tattoo on Kyle's ankle, prompting him to ask how many she currently had. "Five," she answered, to which a surprised Mauricio replied, "I thought you only had three."

Kyle responded, "Well, maybe you should be looking at my body closer," leading to a very awkward silence.

Reflecting on the uncomfortable moment in her confessional, she noted, "This is clearly a big symptom of not spending time together. Years ago he would have noticed a freckle on my body. Now he doesn't know that I have two more tattoos."

The Buying Beverly Hills star then told his wife, "I think that's enough, five tattoos is a lot."

But Kyle made it clear that her recent transformation also includes doing whatever she wants, whenever she wants.

"If I want to, I will," she stated, to which Mauricio declared, "I will not allow that."

She confidently clapped back with, "If I want one, I'm gonna get one. It's my body. You don't have a choice."

The tense exchange was just one instance of the recent low point in their marriage, as Kyle reflected in a confessional, "Sometimes you're married and they can do no wrong, other times they breathe and you want to punch them. Right now I'm irritated."

Ending the discussion, Kyle declared that she refuses to be controlled by anyone.

"I'm at a point in my life where I don't have to explain anything to anybody any more—including you," she told Mauricio. "I went from everything my mom told me to do, to being a mom myself and having to be a good example to my girls. I just realized you can do all that and things can still go to s--t. I don't know if it's what happened with my sister or what, but I just don't feel like I have to answer to anybody."

See Kyle and Mauricio's marriage drama continue to play out when The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.

Keep reading for a look back at Kyle and Mauricio's marriage.

Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky enjoy an Italian family vacation in August 2023 with daughters Farrah, Alexia, Sophia and Portia.

The group glams up for a fabulous boat ride in Italy.

The group attends the June 2023 Aspen wedding of Kyle's niece Whitney White.

Ever the festive family, Kyle and her four daughters match on Christmas in red PJs.

"Happy Father's Day @mumansky18," Kyle wrote in June 2023, "so grateful that our girls have such an incredible Dad."

The reality star added, " Leading them with love and instilling in them to be adventurous and live life to the fullest. Always there for them and not knowing how to say "no" They would definitely agree you get the best Dad award."

Kyle shared a throback pic of Portia and Mauricio flashes adorable smiles.

"Luckiest Mom on earth #nationaldaughtersday," Kyle wrote in September 2023. "Love my girls."

The brood poses with other notable members of their extended family, including the Hiltons and Kim Richards' daughters.

The brood lives it up in Las Vegas.

"Merry Christmas to you and yours," the reality star shared in December 2022.

Mauricio enjoys a spa treatment from his youngest.

The fam tours some Washington, D.C. monuments.

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