Everyone has heard of the Kardashians, whether because of Kim Kardashian, famous for her marriage, Kylie Jenner, known for her big makeup brand, or their reality show Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The show made their family world-famous. The Kardashians are now on Disney+. The family includes Kourtney, Khloe, Kim, Kendall, and Kylie Jenner. They have become a global sensation. Their rise to fame is a big question.
The Kardashians and Jenners are among the wealthiest families globally, worth over $2 billion. People often wonder why they’re so famous and adored. The Jenner side includes Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, along with daughters Kendall and Kylie. Caitlyn transitioned after building the family with Kris. Kendall and Kylie are part of the Jenner side of the family.
The Kardashians have huge profiles, massive Instagram followings, and incredible net worth. Fans obsess over them, and it’s valid to ask why they’re so popular. Here are the reasons why the Kardashians are so famous and where it all started.
What Are the Kardashians Famous For: Billion Dollar Dynasty
Let’s explore why the Kardashians are so famous. We’ll trace their journey from the beginning and discover how they became so well-known. Their rise to fame is an interesting story.
1991: Kris & Caitlyn Jenner’s Olympic Wedding
After divorcing Robert Kardashian, Kris married Caitlyn Jenner (then Bruce Jenner) after a four-month courtship. Caitlyn was famous as an Olympian, boosting the family’s status. Caitlyn brought children from a previous relationship, including Brody Jenner from “The Hills.” Kris and Caitlyn had two daughters: Kendall (born in 1995) and Kylie (born in 1997).
1994–1995: Robert Kardashian and the O.J. Simpson Case
The O.J. Simpson case boosted the Kardashians’ fame. Robert Kardashian was a respected attorney and O.J.’s close friend. He joined O.J.’s defense team during the murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Robert read O.J.’s suicide note to the media five days after the trial. This was Robert’s first major public appearance and introduced the Kardashian family. Robert died of esophageal cancer in 2003. Despite their divorce, Robert and Kris remained close friends.
2003–2006: Kim Kardashian in the Shadow of Paris Hilton
Before becoming famous, Kim Kardashian had A-list friends. Her TV debut was on The Simple Life with Paris Hilton. Kim started as Paris’s friend and later became her assistant. She was known as Paris’s brunette friend. Kim’s early life was not well-known in the early 2000s.
2006: DASH Boutique Opens Its Doors
Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé Kardashian opened their women’s clothing store, DASH. The first boutique opened in Calabasas, California. They later created a spin-off show called “Dash Dolls.” The show featured DASH employees, including Khloé’s friends Malika and Khadijah Hadd.
2007: Debut of Keeping Up with the Kardashians
The family’s reality show is a big reason for their fame. It has shown both the good and bad sides of the family. The Kardashians and Jenners are honest with their fans on the show. The original show had 21 seasons and many spin-offs. Spin-offs include “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami” and “Kourtney and Kim Take New York.” They even had wedding specials. The family now works with Disney+ instead of E!.
2009–2014: Kardashian Wedding Extravaganzas
Kim married music producer Damon Thomas in 2000 at 19 years old. The marriage lasted four years, but it went unnoticed due to their low celebrity status. Khloé married NBA star Lamar Odom in 2009 after one month of dating. Kim’s infamous 72-day marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries occurred in 2011. Their divorce made headlines after less than 3 months of marriage. Kim married rapper Kanye West in 2014, leading to their highly publicized European wedding. The lead-up to Kim and Kanye’s wedding is featured in season 9 of “KUWTK.”
2014: Kim and Kanye’s Vogue Cover, Kendall Hits the Runway
Kim and Kanye were featured on the cover of Vogue before their marriage, elevating their celebrity status. This showcased Kim’s influence beyond reality TV. Kim has since become a fashion icon, collaborating with top brands worldwide. Among the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, Kendall pursued modeling as a career. Kendall started modeling in 2009 but gained fame on the runway in 2014. She has walked for luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, and Prada. In 2017, Kendall became the highest-paid supermodel globally, earning $22 million.
2015: Birth of Kylie Cosmetics and Billionaire Status
Kylie Jenner, the youngest sibling, started her cosmetics brand in 2015. Initially, she sold only Kylie Lip Kits. Over time, the brand expanded to include various makeup and skincare products. Kylie’s cosmetics line was hugely successful. Forbes magazine declared her the youngest self-made billionaire at just 21 years old.
2021: Kim and Kanye’s Divorce
Kim and Kanye’s relationship was widely known as “Kimye.” Kim’s announcement of filing for divorce in May 2021 surprised many. Kanye’s erratic social media behavior, including public criticisms of Kim, was well-known. The divorce was finalized in November 2022.
2022: The Kardashians
The Kardashians returned to television with a new series in 2022. The show is exclusively streaming on Hulu and Disney+, departing from E!. Rumors indicate the family’s dissatisfaction with their level of control over production and editing on E!. Season 3 of “The Kardashians” is airing weekly on both platforms.
2022: Kravis Ties the Knot
Despite Khloé and Kim’s challenges, the Kardashian family had positives in 2022. Kourtney wed Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker in three lavish ceremonies. Their gothic-themed Italian wedding gained global media coverage in May 2022. The event was showcased in a special episode, Til Death Do Us Part: Kourtney & Travis, on Disney+ and Hulu.
Where Can I Watch the Kardashians?
Where Can I Watch the Kardashians? You can watch all the Older seasons of Kardashian drama on Hulu and Disney+. The new series, “The Kardashians Season 5,” also streams on these platforms and premiered on May 23, 2024.
Bottom Line
The Kardashians are famous for their reality show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” They share their lives on TV, including successes and challenges. Social media has helped them connect with fans and gain followers. Their involvement in businesses like cosmetics and fashion has expanded their influence. Despite criticism, they remain relevant by evolving and adapting. So, now you see why the Kardashians are so famous, right? Find out the latest Kardashians news on our website.