The Kardashian family (/kɑːrˈdæʃiən/kar-DASH-ee-ən), also referred to as the Kardashian–Jenner family,[1] is an American family prominent in the fields of
law,
entertainment,
reality television,
fashion design, and
business. Through different ventures, several members of the family have assets of over $1 billion.
Kim Kardashian became a celebrity in 2007, after selling a
pornographic film featuring ex-boyfriend, singer
Ray J, which enabled the family to rise to stardom. They appeared together on the highly popular reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The show's 14-year run gave and maintained media exposure to each member of the family, allowing them to start and build their individual careers in multiple businesses under their separate brands.
The family, started by
Kris Jenner and
Robert Kardashian, includes their children
Kourtney,
Kim,
Khloé, and
Rob Kardashian as well as their grandchildren. After Robert and Kris divorced in 1991, she remarried to Olympic decathlon champion
Bruce Jenner (known as
Caitlyn Jenner since 2015). They had two daughters:
Kendall and
Kylie Jenner. Robert Kardashian Sr. died of oesophagal cancer in 2003.[2]
Notable extended relatives include Kendall and Kylie's half-siblings (through Bruce/Caitlyn's marriage to songwriter
Linda Thompson),
Brandon and
Brody Jenner.[3][4]
Kourtney previously dated American entrepreneur
Scott Disick; they have three children. She married the drummer
Travis Barker, and they have one child together. Kim previously was married to American rapper
Kanye West, and they have four children together. Khloé previously dated Canadian basketball player
Tristan Thompson, with whom she has two children. Rob previously dated American rapper and model
Blac Chyna; they have one child. Kylie previously dated American rapper and singer
Travis Scott; they have two children.
Robert initially received attention for being one of
O. J. Simpson's lawyers during the
O. J. Simpson murder case, but the family parlayed Kim's 2003 pornographic film, Kim Kardashian, Superstar, into a reality television and business empire.[5] They have since been referred to as "America's most famous family" by Glamour,[6] "one of the most influential family 'dynasties' in the world" by Insider,[7] and the biggest
influencers of the 2010s by Vogue.[8] They are the focus of the book Kardashian Dynasty: The Controversial Rise of America's Royal Family by
Ian Halperin.[9]
Robert Kardashian Sr. was the son of Helen and Arthur Kardashian. All four of his grandparents were
Armenian who emigrated from the
Ottoman Empire to the United States of America in the early 20th century, originating from the towns of
Karakale and
Ardahan in modern-day Turkey. The family left the Ottoman Empire before the
Armenian genocide began in 1915.[10]
Kardashians
Reception
The family and media give Kim the credit for helping them start their careers. The family has been criticized as being
famous for being famous.[8][11] In late May 2020, Forbes released an investigation into Kylie's finances, alleging she misrepresented her billionaire status. Writers Chase Peterson-Withorn and Madeline Berg stated, "...white lies, omissions and outright fabrications are to be expected from the family that perfected—then monetized—the concept of 'famous for being famous.'"[12] Even with the family's mainstay show Keeping up with the Kardashians, some have said the family has "no real skills beyond 'being famous for being famous.'"[13]Vogue stated the Kardashians have "...proved that although they were 'famous for being famous' in the 2000s, in the 2010s they became a cultural force to be reckoned with."[8] They were given keys to Beverly Hills on September 2, 2010, intentionally arranged to match the area's
zip code of
90210.[14] The family are often criticized for
blackfishing and cultural appropriation of
African-American culture.[15][16]
Thomas "Tom" Kardashian,
m. Joan "Joanie" Roberts (formerly Esposito)[20]
Kardashian–Jenner family tree
William Hugh Jenner†
m. Esther Ruth McGuire
Caitlyn Jenner (
b. October 28, 1949), formerly married to Chrystie Crownover (
m. 1972,
div. 1981),
Linda Thompson (
m. 1981,
div. 1986) and
Kris Kardashian (
b. November 5, 1955,
m. 1991,
div. 2015)