Entertainment TV Kyle Richards Says Sister Kim is 'Doing Really Well' After Legal and Substance Abuse Struggles The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star opened up about her older sister By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is the Senior News Editor, Entertainment at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 9, 2015 08:40 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Gregory Pace/BEImages Things seem to be looking up for Kim Richards. “She’s doing really well – she’s doing really well right now,” her younger sister Kyle told PEOPLE Thursday night at the Global Lyme Alliance inaugural gala in New York, where their Real Housewives of Beverly Hills costar Yolanda Foster was honored for her advocacy work. Kim, 51, has had a difficult year. Once sober, the former child star was arrested in April and then charged for trespassing, resisting an officer and battery on a police officer. Having struggled with substance abuse, she checked into rehab shortly after the arrest. After a stint in the facility, Kim was arrested again in August for allegedly shoplifting in a Los Angeles-area Target. And she recently accepted a plea deal for her April charges, agreeing to probation, community service and 52 weeks of Alcoholics Anonymous. To focus on her health, Kim won’t be returning to the upcoming season of RHOBH. Kyle, 46, and Kim’s relationship had been strained during the latter’s relapse, but the sisters appear to working things out. “Spent some fun quality time with my sister … Life is good,” Kim posted on Instagram two weeks ago.