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 (through Robert Kardashian), 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 own separate brands.

Kardashian family
Logo of their current television series The Kardashians
Current regionLos Angeles, California
Place of originUnited 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. They had two daughters: Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Robert Kardashian Sr. died of esophageal cancer in 2003.

Notable extended relatives include Kendall and Kylie's half-siblings (through Caitlyn and her marriage to songwriter Linda Thompson), Brandon and Brody Jenner.[2][3]

Kourtney previously dated American entrepreneur Scott Disick; they have three children. 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.[4] They have since been referred to as "America's most famous family" by Glamour,[5] "one of the most influential family 'dynasties' in the world" by Insider,[6] and the biggest influencers of the 2010s by Vogue.[7] They are the focus of the book Kardashian Dynasty: The Controversial Rise of America's Royal Family by Ian Halperin.[8]

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 edit

Robert Kardashian Sr. is 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.[9]

 
Kardashians

Reception edit

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.[7][10] 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.'"[11] 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.'"[12] 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."[7] They were given keys to Beverly Hills on September 2, 2010, intentionally arranged to match the area's zip code of 90210.[13] The family are often criticized for blackfishing and cultural appropriation of African-American culture.[14][15]

Family trees edit

Kardashian family tree edit

Kardashian–Jenner family tree edit

Sources for family trees:[5][16][17][19]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Friedman, Megan; Gonzales, Erica (2020-04-26). "Here's How Much Every Member of the Kardashian–Jenner Family Is Worth". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  2. ^ Kapusta, Michelle (2019-01-09). "What Does the Kardashian-Jenner Family Tree Look Like?". Showbiz Cheatsheet. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  3. ^ "Updated! The Kardashians Keep Growing: Reality Stars Making Reality Babies". Radar Online. 2018-01-18. Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  4. ^ Saad, Nardine. "Meet the Kardashians and their extended family". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Smith, Josh (May 4, 2020). "The Kardashian Family Tree: Who's who in America's most famous family". Glamour Magazine. Archived from the original on July 15, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Askinasi, Rachel (May 18, 2019). "Meet the Kardashian-Jenners, heirs to a massive reality TV empire, who have a combined fortune of more than $1.6 billion and are one of the most influential family 'dynasties' in the world". Insider. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c King, Emma (December 19, 2019). "How The Kardashians Became The Biggest Influencers Of The 2010s". Vogue. Archived from the original on June 16, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  8. ^ Halperin, Ian (2016). Kardashian Dynasty: The Controversial Rise of America's Royal Family. Gallery Books. ISBN 978-1501128882.
  9. ^ "A Look Back at the Kardashian Family's Humble Armenian Roots". People. April 10, 2015. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  10. ^ Dumitrescu, Irina (September 20, 2019). "Heel Turns". TLS. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  11. ^ Peterson-Withorn, Chase; Berg, Madeline (May 29, 2020). "Inside Kylie Jenner's Web of Lies - And Why She's No Longer a Billionaire". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Mattern, Joanne (2019). Kylie Jenner. Mitchell Lane. ISBN 9781545747001.
  13. ^ "Celebrities who were given keys to the city". MSN. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  14. ^ The Kardashians' Legacy of Blackfishing and Appropriation
  15. ^ It's Not Just Kylie Jenner—These 5 Kardashian Enterprises Have Been Appropriated from Black Culture
  16. ^ a b Murray, Daisy (November 6, 2019). "A Full Breakdown Of All The Kardashian And Jenner Grandchildren, Because We Almost Lost Count". Elle. Archived from the original on April 25, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Oppenheimer, Jerry (2017). The Kardashians: An American Drama. St. Martin's Press. p. 82. ISBN 9781250087140. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  18. ^ Jackson, Kourtnee (April 26, 2020). "The Kardashians' Aunt Joan Was in Priscilla Presley's Wedding". Showbiz Cheatsheet. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  19. ^ "Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott reveal their new baby boy's name". TODAY.com. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-22.