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.
| Kardashian family | |
|---|---|
 Logo of their current television series The Kardashians | |
| Current region | Los Angeles, California |
| Place of origin | United States |
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 Caitlyn Jenner (known as Bruce Jenner prior to 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 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]
The family is best known for their longest-running reality television show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021). Spinoffs included: Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2009–2013); Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami (2009–2013); Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011–2012); Khloé & Lamar (2013); Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2014–2015); Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons (2014–2015); Dash Dolls (2015) and Life of Kylie (2017). In 2022, the family debuted their new reality television series The Kardashians.
Family background
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]
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]
Family trees
| Robert Kardashian | Kris Houghton | Caitlyn Jenner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kourtney Kardashian | Travis Barker | Kim Kardashian | Kanye West | Khloé Kardashian | Tristan Thompson | Rob Kardashian | Blac Chyna | Kendall Jenner | Kylie Jenner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kardashian family tree
- Tatos Saghatel Kardashian†, m. Hamas Shakarian†
- Arthur Kardashian†, m. Helen Arakelian†
- Robert Kardashian† (b. February 22, 1944), formerly married to Kris Houghton (b. November 5, 1955)
- Kourtney Kardashian (b. April 18, 1979), formerly partnered with Scott Disick (b. May 26, 1983), later married to Travis Barker (b. November 14, 1975)
- Kim Kardashian (b. October 21, 1980), formerly married to Kanye West (b. June 8, 1977)
- North West (b. June 15, 2013)
- Khloé Kardashian (b. June 27, 1984), formerly partnered with Tristan Thompson (b. March 13, 1991)
- Rob Kardashian (b. March 17, 1987), formerly partnered with Blac Chyna (b. May 11, 1988)
- Barbara Kardashian Freeman†
- Thomas "Tom" Kardashian, m. Joan "Joanie" Roberts (formerly Esposito)[19]
- Robert Kardashian† (b. February 22, 1944), formerly married to Kris Houghton (b. November 5, 1955)
- Arthur Kardashian†, m. Helen Arakelian†
Kardashian–Jenner family tree
- William Hugh Jenner† m. Esther Ruth McGuire
- Caitlyn Jenner (b. October 28, 1949), formerly married to Kris Kardashian (b. November 5, 1955)
- Kendall Jenner (b. November 3, 1995)
- Caitlyn Jenner (b. October 28, 1949), formerly married to Kris Kardashian (b. November 5, 1955)
- Kylie Jenner (b. August 10, 1997), formerly partnered with Travis Scott (b. April 30, 1991).