Teddi Mellencamp filed for divorce with husband Edwin after 'years of pain' as Kyle Richards 'gave her the strength to walk'

TEDDI Mellencamp has filed for divorce from husband Edwin Arroyave after “years of pain,” a source tells The US Sun exclusively.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum found the power to end the marriage after being “inspired” by her best friend Kyle Richards, who left husband Mauricio Umansky last year.

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This week, 43-year-old Teddi announced her 13-year marriage had come to an end in a shocking Instagram post.

While she didn't reveal any details about what led to the breakdown of her relationship with 47-year-old Edwin, an insider told The US Sun that it was “100% Teddi's decision to pull the trigger.”

“It wasn't just one thing that led to this, she would never leave the father of her children because of one thing.

“It took a long time, a very long time and years of a lot of pain for her to decide that this was what was best for her and the children.”

Edwin and Teddi, who married in 2011, have daughters Slate (12) and Dove (4) and son Cruz (10).

As for what led to the surprising decision, the insider claimed that there were serious issues in her past that Teddi needed to “work through” – but she did so because she “felt it was best for her family to.” forgive and move on.”

“She has come a long way to forgive and trust again. She was there in the first year [RHOBH]she secretly struggled with a lot of trauma that no one except maybe Kyle knew about.

“But she wanted to keep her family together, so they dealt with it privately.”

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The source said that Kyle, 55, was a “huge support” to Teddi at the time – especially because she could “understand” what she was going through.

“She kept her secrets to herself and didn’t reveal them to the cameras. Teddi really confided in Kyle and they built this sisterly trust.

“I think after Kyle left Mauricio and gained this empowered independence, it helped Teddi see the light of day: 'Oh, I can make these decisions no matter how old I am, even if I have kids, and it.' will still be okay.'

“So Kyle was the catalyst for Teddi finding the strength to leave a situation that no longer suited her. And Kyle has been a rock for Teddi throughout, helping her navigate this new life.”

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In 2023, RHOBH veteran Kyle announced that she was separating from her husband of 27 years, Mauricio, 54 – although the two are not yet divorced.

The reality show documented Kyle's journey to becoming more independent, outspoken and carefree after also dealing with years of infidelity rumors during her own marriage.

Despite the difficult separation, Edwin and Teddi are “as friendly as possible for now”.

“The fact that it was a long time coming and not a shock made the transition process easier. It sounds cliche, but they're really just focusing on the kids at the moment and making it as stress-free as possible for them.

“No one has moved out of the house yet, they are still under the same roof and are deciding what to do next.”

The US Sun has reached out to Teddi and Edwin for comment.

“PRINT THROUGH”

Both Teddi and Edwin continued to share videos on social media at their shared Los Angeles mansion and with their children.

Although Teddi appears to be in a good mood and smiling in her posts, she also doesn't hide the pain she's still processing.

In a video on Wednesday of herself working out on the treadmill in a pink sports bra and matching yoga pants, she wrote: “The beauty of a run is that it may start with tears, but it ends in a sprint when you comes through.”

That same day, Edwin was photographed running errands in LA looking distressed – and conspicuously, he wasn't wearing his wedding ring.

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Just four days earlier, Teddi shared the bombshell news on her Instagram – leaving Bravo fans speechless.

“After much thought and consideration, I have made the difficult decision to file for divorce.

“My children are my priority and I will ensure that their privacy and well-being are taken into account in this new chapter.”

“I did not want to make a public statement, but to protect my family from inappropriate speculation and rumors, I felt openness, honesty and vulnerability was the best way forward.”

Teddi has hinted at Edwin's infidelity in the past, admitting in an October 2023 episode of her Two T's podcast that her husband was once so unwell that she couldn't even look at him.

“For years I held so much resentment against Edwin that I couldn't even look at him. Once you get burned, it's hard to come back from it,” she told co-host Tamra Judge.

When RHOC star Tamra pressed for Teddi to confess that Edwin cheated on her, she remained vague: “Let me just say that when your family is involved, you become more controlling and reserved.”

When Teddi discussed how Mauricio was pictured with other women on a previous episode of WWHL, he also hinted at Edwin's past transgressions.

“My first season [of RHOBH] “I was hiding something with Edwin and I was 99% convinced our marriage wouldn't survive,” she told host Andy Cohen.

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