Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton's Mom Was a 'Very Strong' Woman - More about Kathleen Richards

Kyle Richards' mom and Kathy Hilton's mom, Kathleen Richards, was a strong and outspoken woman. Although she died young, they have fond memories of her. Kyle even created a show inspired by Kathleen.

Kathleen Richards is known as the mother of Kyle Richards, Kathy Hilton, and Kim Richards. Kathleen was also the woman who inspired Kyle to create the show "American Woman."

While Kyle thought "American Woman" was a love letter to her mom, her other sisters were not supportive of the show. Kathy and Kim saw the series as an avenue to broadcast their private family life.

The drama caused a rift between the sisters, but when "American Woman" ended after one season, Kyle, Kathy, and Kim were able to make amends.

"My sister and I had a lot of setbacks in our relationship, and then I did 'American Woman,' and I think Kathy thought I was going to disrespect our mother or our sisters," the show's creator said.

Kathleen's children shared different fathers yet remained close to her. Like her kids, Kathleen also worked in the entertainment industry. However, she was known for her many marriages.

Who Was Kyle Richards and Kathy Hilton's Mom, Kathleen Richards?

Born on April 7, 1938, Kathleen Richards grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. Her parents, Edward Dugan and Dorothy Callahan, were of Irish descent and became great-grandparents to several public figures, such as Paris Hilton, Nicholai Hilton, Barron Hilton, and Whitney Davis.

Like the generation after her, Kathleen worked in the entertainment industry as a casting director, most recognized for "Escape." Sadly, Kathleen died on March 2, 2002, in Indian Wells, California. She was 63 years old at the time of her death.

Kathleen Richards Was Married Four Times

Before her passing, Kathleen walked down the aisle four times. On August 16, 1958, she married Laurence Kenneth Avanzino, with whom she shared a child, Kathy Hilton. Kathy was born on March 13, 1959. Their short-lived marriage ended with a divorce in 1963.

Kathleen tied the knot again the following year, marrying Kenneth Edwin Richards. The couple welcomed their first child together, Kim Richards, on September 19. 1964. They had another daughter, Kyle Richards, five years later, on January 11.

Unfortunately, their marriage ended with a divorce after Kathleen learned of her husband's infidelity. According to Kyle, her mother became single in a moment. Kathleen raised her daughters not knowing much about money and without a checkbook.

So, she made sure to teach her daughters to be aware of how to track finances. Kyle recognized the challenges of being a single mom and looked up to Kathleen for being a fierce woman. She said:

"My mom was a very strong, outspoken woman, and [at] that time, women weren't supposed to be like that [...] In the '70s, if you were strong and opinionated and outspoken, it was looked down upon."

Kathleen eventually found love again. On July 4, 1980, she walked down the aisle again and married Jack Michael Catain Jr. Unfortunately, Catain Jr. was known as a mobster with a racketeering indictment. On March 16, 1982, they divorced without having children.

Kathleen's final marriage was on December 19, 1999, to Robert Conrad Fenton Jr. Although they had no kids together, Kathleen and Fenton remained married until she died in 2002.

Kathleen Richards Died of Cancer

Kathleen Richards passed away due to breast cancer. According to her daughter, Kathleen did not have a mammogram for half a decade out of fear. Had her diagnosis come earlier, the chances of survival would have been higher.

Following her death, Kathleen's daughter, Kyle, became an advocate for breast cancer. She encourages women to examine themselves every month and get mammograms to ensure that early detection happens. According to "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star, she does not want to see women suffer because of cancer.

Eighteen years after Kathleen's death, the reality star collaborated with Dr. Heather Richardson, a breast surgeon, to launch Annual Mammogram Day at the Bedford Breast Center. The special event was in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

Kathleen's death sparks fear in her daughter whenever she gets tested. Previously, the Bravo personality claimed she would feel anxious while undergoing preventive testing. However, her anxiety has since eased.

The Complicated Relationship of Kathleen Richards' Daughters

Kathleen's daughters are all in the entertainment business, having appeared in films and television shows. As a child star, Kim starred in "Nanny and the Professor" and later appeared in "Escape to Witch Mountain," "No Deposit, No Return," and "Return to Witch Mountain."

Meanwhile, Kyle starred in "Little House on the Prairie," "Halloween," "Down to Earth," and "ER." Their sister, Kathy, was also an actress but did not prioritize her career as an actress. She is famous for being the mother of Nicky and Paris Hilton.

However, the three sisters shared the spotlight in 2010 when they appeared in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." On the show, viewers saw a glimpse of arguments between the siblings, including a confrontation where Kyle called Kim an alcoholic.

Following the sensitive topic, Kim claimed she wasn't sure if she would ever be on speaking terms with her sister again. Four years later, drama followed the family again when Kim's puppy bit her niece, Alexia Umansky.

Kyle's daughter underwent surgery after the incident, which her mom shared on social media. Although Kyle did not intend to upset her sister, the online photo sparked controversy. Despite their on-screen feuds and Kathy Hilton and Kyle's fight over "American Woman," the sisters now share a good relationship.