From closet organizer to billionaire, Kim Kardashian's amazing evolution
Kim Kardashian made her debut in the public spotlight as Paris Hilton's best friend and an aspiring closet organizer. Since then, she has evolved into reality TV's Queen Bee on 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' and has achieved billionaire status. Beyond her reality TV success, Kim has become a coveted style icon, known for her ability to turn anything into a fashion statement with just a touch of her Midas-like flair. Let's explore her transformation through the years.
The early 2000s: Being Paris Hilton's BFF, a sex tape and the birth of 'KUWTK'
Kimberly Kardashian initially grabbed the spotlight during the launch of Paris Hilton's debut album 'Paris' at the Privilege party on August 18, 2006. However, her defining moment came in 2007. Not only did her notorious sex tape with Ray J surface in February, but the premiere of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' in October marked the beginning of a burgeoning empire built on reality TV fame. In the subsequent years, particularly in 2009, Kim delved into an impressive array of television and film projects, boasting appearances in five different productions, including roles in 'CSI: NY' and 'Beyond the Break'.
Kim's first marriage in 2011 lasted only 72 days
Kim achieved another milestone in 2010 with the unveiling of her first wax figure at Madame Tussauds NYC. Thereafter, her personal life took a whirlwind turn when she got engaged to NBA star Kris Humphries in May 2011, tying the knot in August of the same year but Kim famously filed for divorce after just 72 days later. Subsequently, Kim's romantic life took a new direction in April 2012 when she began dating Kanye West.
2013 and 2014: Motherhood and second marriage
The narrative of Kim's personal life took a significant turn in 2013 when she embraced motherhood for the first time with the arrival of her first child, daughter North West, in June of that year. A mere four months later, on her birthday, Kanye proposed, and the couple exchanged vows in a lavish ceremony in Florence, Italy, on May 24, 2014. Their family expanded with the birth of son Saint West in December 2015. One of the most impactful stories of 2016 was a harrowing incident during Paris Fashion Week, where Kim was robbed at gunpoint by a group of masked men.
2018 and 2019: Baby fever and a law degree
In January 2018, the Kimye family welcomed their third child, Chicago West. The year 2018 also marked a pivotal moment in Kim's career as she began advocating for incarcerated individuals facing unjust sentences, a cause that ultimately inspired her to pursue a law degree. The baby fever continued in May 2019 with the arrival of their son, Psalm West, born via surrogate this time. Concurrently, Kim officially embarked on her journey into the field of law.
2020 and 2021: Kim the entrepreneur takes off as marriage ends
In 2021, Kim introduced yet another venture—an inclusive shapewear line named 'SKIMS'. Concurrently, she delved into the realm of social justice with the release of a prison reform documentary titled 'The Justice Project'. However, her personal life took a challenging turn when Kanye, her husband of six years, made headlines with two Twitter rants in July, expressing his desire for a divorce. The situation culminated in November 2022 when Kim officially filed for divorce after nearly seven years of marriage. Despite the personal upheavals, Kim prepared to host 'Saturday Night Live' in 2021, a milestone in her career.
2022: The Met Gala with Pete Davidson
Post her separation from Kanye, Kim entered a relationship with Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson. Demonstrating her commitment to a transformative journey, she shed nearly 20 pounds, a feat aimed at fitting into the iconic Marilyn Monroe 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' gown. The significant weight loss became particularly notable as she graced the 2022 Met Gala alongside her then-boyfriend, Davidson.
2023: Kim named among 100 most powerful women
The year 2023 has been impressive for Kim. Fortune Magazine acknowledged her not just for her impressive $4 billion shapewear empire but also for her latest undertaking—SKKY Partners, a private equity firm co-founded with Jay Sammons. Kim celebrated her 'girl boss' moment on Instagram, reaching out to her vast following of 364 million on October 4.
