02 Aug 2011 01:02:03
In the actress' new book, "The Real Girl Next Door," Denise wrote candidly about her relationship with the sitcom star, but when it came to revealing what led to the demise of their marriage, she stayed mum.
PLAY IT NOW: Access Hollywood Live: Denise Richards Kicks Off Pet Adoption Campaign
"It was really important for me to keep the details of the downfall of our marriage between us, and I really wanted to focus on the feelings because that's what I thought the women and men reading this could relate to," she told Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos on Tuesday.
"I also didn't want to be disrespectful to him and what our marriage was," she continued. "I also included a lot of good times and good memories."
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Celebs Who Opt To Adopt
One of the couple's good moments was during their courtship, where Denise saw a side of Charlie that many would never believe existed.
"He had a panic attack [before meeting my parents]," she told Maria. "It was sweet. You would never think Charlie Sheen would be nervous meeting parents, but he was. And it was very sweet and endearing and my parents loved him."
The couple's marriage ended in 2006, but afterward, Denise underwent a custody battle for their daughters Sam and Lola.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Denise and Charlie, Heather and Richie
"To not be able to get back and work because I was in a custody battle with one of the biggest sitcom stars [was difficult]. I had all kinds of stuff being written and said and it was so hard," she said. "If I wasn't in this business and, you know, worked anywhere else, I would be able to leave my personal life at home and focus on the work."
The "Blue Mountain State" star, who recently adopted six-week-old daughter Eloise, has remained positive despite life's hurdles.
