Carolyn Humphries

Kimberly Noel Kardashian, born in 1980, rose to prominence through the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which began airing in 2007. Her career expanded into various business ventures, including the founding of beauty brands like KKW Beauty and Skims, a shapewear company valued at billions. She has also ventured into mobile gaming, mobile apps, and photography books. Kardashian has appeared in films and television series, and her influence has been recognized by major publications. She has also become involved in political activism, particularly prison reform, and pursued legal studies. Her public image has been described as embodying the concept of being famous for being famous.

Born Kimberly Noel Kardashian in Los Angeles, she is the daughter of Robert and Kris Kardashian. Her family gained significant public attention, particularly after her father's involvement in the O.J. Simpson trial and her mother's subsequent marriage to Caitlyn Jenner. Kardashian attended a Catholic girls' school and, in her youth, developed friendships with notable figures like Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton. Her early work experience included a role in a clothing store, which she left after her first marriage. Her father passed away in 2003.

Kardashian's public profile significantly increased in 2007 with the unauthorized release of a private video. This event preceded the launch of the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which documented her family's lives and became a long-running success, spawning numerous spin-offs. She also pursued a career in styling, notably for Paris Hilton, who acknowledged Kardashian's role in launching her public career. Kardashian has appeared in various media, including a nude pictorial for Playboy and a role in the film Disaster Movie.

Beyond her media presence, Kardashian established herself as a businesswoman. She founded KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance, with KKW Beauty reaching a valuation of over a billion dollars. Her shapewear company, Skims, launched in 2019, has achieved a valuation exceeding four billion dollars. Her entrepreneurial reach extends to a skincare line, SKKN by Kim, as well as a mobile game, a photo book, and an emoji app. She has been recognized for her influence, named one of Time's 100 most influential people and Fortune's Most Powerful Women.

In recent years, Kardashian has expanded her acting roles, appearing in films such as PAW Patrol and the horror series American Horror Story. She has also become more involved in social and political issues, advocating for prison reform and clemency. She completed a four-year law apprenticeship, aiming to take the California Bar Exam. With a substantial online following, she is among the most followed individuals on social media platforms like Instagram. Forbes estimated her net worth at $1.7 billion as of May 2025.

“Paris Hilton literally gave me a career. And I totally acknowledge that.”