Kim Richards Has ‘Very Big’ Support System Following Death of Ex-Husband And Best Friend Monty Brinson

Kim Richards is being surrounded by a strong support system following the death of her ex-husband and best friend Monty Brinson. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, who has made headlines for her struggles with sobriety, could be at risk for a relapse, but her sister Kyle Richards says she has family and friends by her side. In an interview with Us Weekly, Kyle said her sister lost her best friend when Monty died on January 24, but she reiterated that Kim will be fine.

“It’s a cloud because she’s been so happy and feeling so good and then she loses her best friend. But she’s strong and she’ll get through this just fine. She has a very big support system.”

Kim Richards has been mostly quiet since the death of her ex-husband. The former child star was only 20-years-old when she married Monty Brinson in 1985. The couple, who divorced in 1988, had one daughter, Brooke, together. Still, the exes remained close, and Richards took care of Brinson during his illness. Monty even moved into Kim’s home during his long battle with lung cancer.

After her ex-husband’s funeral service, Kim posted a throwback Instagram pic with an emotional caption, which makes it clear he was the love of her life.

Yesterday I said goodbye to best the friend I’ve ever had in my life. Monty was an amazing person with an amazing soul. We shared over 30 years of Love & Happiness and brought a beautiful daughter into world. I am so grateful for all that we shared. I know we will be together again one day. I love you Monty my angel in heaven..and I know that we be together again one day. I will carry you in my heart always my love…until then, may you rest in peace.

Fans of the former child star worry that this major loss could jeopardize Kim’s sobriety. An insider told People that Kim is taking Monty’s death especially hard, despite the fact that she had been preparing for the sad day for a long time. The source also said everyone in Kim’s life is hoping that she stays safe.

“She is sober right now which is the best thing she can. If [Kim] didn’t have her kids, everyone is worried what would happen. She is incredibly fragile right now, and with her history, it’s a scary place for her to be.”

Indeed, Kim had a couple of sobriety setbacks over the past year. In addition to a very public drunken arrest at the Beverly Hills Hotel last spring and a meltdown at her daughter’s wedding in Mexico, Richards was arrested for walking out of a California Target store without paying for more than $600 worth of toys. At the time, her family considered putting her on an involuntary 5150 psychiatric hold because she was so out of control.

Ahead of Monty’s death, Kim was in the process of repairing her strained relationships with her family members. Richards and her youngest daughter, Kimberly Jackson, will even air their dirty laundry on the Lifetime reality show The Mother/Daughter Experiment: Celebrity Edition. The mother-daughter duo will work with therapist Dr. Debbie Magids as they undergo therapy to repair their fractured relationship. In a trailer for the show, Richards tearfully tells her daughter she “never did anything intentionally,” while Kimberly tells her mom she just wants her to “stay healthy, always.”

While Kim Richards has also had also an up and down relationship with her sister Kyle, the entire Richards clan is banding together to get the mom of four through this difficult time in the weeks following Brinson’s death. The famous sisters have been through the deaths of both of their parents, and even in the worst of times, they have a “family first” motto.

{Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Life & Style]