Rudy Reyes, the former US Marine and martial arts instructor best known for his hard-nosed persona on the reality TV competition Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and the gritty HBO series Generation Kill, is no stranger to pushing people to their limits. But recently, it’s Reyes’ personal life, rather than his military exploits, that’s been making headlines. As the third season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test premiered on Fox on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET, the spotlight turned to questions about his romantic entanglements, past and present.
For years, Reyes’ private life was largely under wraps, save for the occasional interview or social media post. But over the past year, a series of events involving high-profile personalities—including reality TV star Denise Richards and firearms instructor Jade Struck—have thrust his relationships into the public eye. The story is a tangle of romance, rumors, and reality TV drama, with enough twists to rival any of the challenges on Special Forces itself.
Let’s start with the basics. Reyes is the proud father of two children, Dylan and Bella, both from previous relationships, as reported by Page Six. In 2020, he became engaged to Jade Struck, a well-known firearms instructor and fellow figure in the adventure sports and entertainment world. Their relationship was anything but secret; Reyes often shared glimpses of their life together on Instagram, and in a heartfelt post on February 11, 2024, he wrote, “Love of My Life Happy Birthday @jadestruck. I searched the Whole Wide World Just ta Find U.” It was a public declaration of affection that many fans saw as a testament to their bond.
But by early 2025, things had clearly changed. Fans noticed that both Reyes and Struck had scrubbed their social media accounts of each other’s presence, raising questions about the state of their relationship. The confirmation came in February 2025, when Reyes responded to a fan’s question in an Instagram comment (since deleted): “We are not together anymore sadly, but I take every opportunity for growth and improvement,” he wrote, according to The Sun and Mirror. At that point, the couple was no longer following each other on Instagram—a modern-day signal that things were truly over.
The breakup was shrouded in speculation, with fans and tabloids alike eager to uncover the reason behind the split. The timing of the breakup coincided with rumors swirling around Reyes and Denise Richards, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star. Reyes and Richards met on the set of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test during the filming of its third season. Not long after, whispers of an alleged affair began to circulate, fueled in part by statements from Richards’ ex-husband, Aaron Phypers.
According to Page Six, Phypers claimed to have discovered explicit conversations between Reyes and Richards, saying, “She begged me not to leave, saying it was nothing and that she only loved me. Then, she denied it all … Despite her promise to stop, more lies and shocking evidence emerged.” The alleged affair, which Phypers described as lasting several months, became tabloid fodder almost overnight. Richards, for her part, denied any romantic involvement with Reyes, while Reyes himself has remained silent on the specifics, at least in public forums.
Adding another layer to the drama, Page Six also reported that Richards had obtained a temporary restraining order against Phypers, suggesting that the fallout from the affair rumors had broader implications for all involved. Despite the swirling gossip, neither Reyes nor Richards has publicly confirmed the relationship, leaving much of the story to speculation.
Meanwhile, Reyes’ public persona continued to evolve. In a January interview with Reali-Tea, he reflected on his life and responsibilities, saying, “The [celebrity] recruits that are there to rediscover themselves, maybe at one time, were superstars in whatever field. And in time, none of us can stay on top.” He spoke warmly of his children and his commitment to family, adding, “I think, because I’ve aged and am facing some of my own mortality, new responsibilities as a father and a family man … we used to do some pretty badass stuff in our units. We used to fight heavy wars with the toughest dudes in the world and had the greatest time doing it. We’re not those guys anymore. We are inside, but not outside.”
Despite this “family man” image, the rumors of an affair with Richards seemed to cast a shadow over his breakup with Struck. Fans speculated that the alleged relationship with Richards played a role in the split, though, as Distractify pointed out, all parties have largely kept their silence on the matter.
By February 24, 2025, Reyes made his relationship status clear in another Instagram post. “#leanonme … I may be single but I am not alone,” he wrote. “I have the most wonderful and loyal loved ones and every day I am grateful. Take a Bow all of U True Believers, Warrior Veterans, Family and Human Beings that Make My Heart Sparkle and Shine.” It was a message of gratitude and resilience, hinting at a man who, despite personal setbacks, remains focused on growth and community.
For those wondering if Reyes and Struck ever married, the answer is no. As Mirror and Distractify both confirm, the engagement never led to marriage. The two went their separate ways in early 2025, with no official explanation offered beyond Reyes’ brief comment about growth and improvement. Struck, for her part, has also remained mum on the specifics of the breakup, removing traces of Reyes from her own social media accounts.
As for the rumors involving Richards, they remain unconfirmed. What is clear, however, is that the intersection of reality TV, celebrity culture, and personal relationships can create a maelstrom of speculation and public scrutiny. Reyes, who has built his career on resilience and overcoming adversity, now faces a different kind of challenge—navigating the complexities of fame, privacy, and the ever-watchful eyes of fans and tabloids alike.
In the end, Rudy Reyes stands as a figure both formidable and vulnerable, a man whose toughest tests may no longer be on the battlefield or in front of the camera, but within the unpredictable arena of personal relationships. As the new season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test unfolds, viewers may find themselves just as captivated by the man behind the uniform as by the grueling challenges he sets for others.
