Brief Introduction of Kris Jenner
Kristen Mary Jenner, widely recognized as Kris Jenner, is an American media personality, socialite, and astute businesswoman. She rose to global prominence as the matriarch and “momager” of the Kardashian-Jenner family, spearheading their highly successful reality television franchise, Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021), and its successor, The Kardashians (2022–present). Her strategic vision and entrepreneurial prowess have been instrumental in transforming her family into a multi-billion dollar empire, spanning beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries. Kris Jenner biography highlights her pivotal role in modern celebrity branding and entertainment management.
Kris Jenner Overview
| Key Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kristen Mary Jenner (née Houghton, formerly Kardashian) |
| Known As | Kris Jenner, Momager |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1955 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 69 years old |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Profession | Media Personality, Socialite, Businesswoman, Producer, Talent Manager, Author |
| Years Active | 2007–present (in media) |
| Education | Clairemont High School |
| Current Partner | Corey Gamble (since 2014) |
| Former Husbands | Robert Kardashian (m. 1978; div. 1991), Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner; m. 1991; div. 2015) |
| Children | Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner |
| Grandchildren | 13 grandchildren (as of 2024), including North West |
| Kris Jenner Net Worth (as of 2025) | Estimated $170 million |
Early Life and Education of Kris Jenner
Kristen Mary Houghton was born on November 5, 1955, in San Diego, California, to parents Mary Jo “M.J.” Shannon (née Campbell) and Robert True “Bob” Houghton. Her father was an aircraft engineer. She has one younger sister, Karen. When Jenner was seven years old, her parents divorced in 1962, and she and her sister were primarily raised by their mother. Her mother eventually remarried businessman Harry Shannon, who helped raise Kris and her sister. Through her mother’s second marriage, she gained a stepbrother, Steven “Steve” Shannon.
During her childhood, after her parents’ divorce in 1962, Kris moved with her mother and sister to Clairemont, California, where she attended Longfellow Elementary School. A year after her parents’ divorce, at the age of eight in 1963, Jenner was diagnosed with a cancerous bone tumor. Fortunately, the tumor did not metastasize, and she recovered after undergoing surgery to remove it.
Jenner attended Clairemont High School and graduated in 1973. Rather than pursuing higher education through college or university, she expressed a greater interest in “getting out in the world” and becoming a wife and mother. In 1976, at the age of 20, she worked for American Airlines as a flight attendant for approximately a year, a role that exposed her to diverse cultures and lifestyles. This early professional experience provided her with an initial taste of the working world before her entry into marriage and, eventually, entrepreneurship.
Kris Jenner’s Career
Kris Jenner’s career trajectory is a testament to her adaptability, keen business sense, and ability to cultivate a powerful family brand. Her early ventures included working at a doughnut shop as a teenager and later at a children’s clothing store owned by her mother and grandmother, experiences she credits with teaching her about business operations. After her brief stint as a flight attendant in 1976, her life took a significant turn with her first marriage to lawyer Robert Kardashian. During this period, she primarily focused on being a homemaker.
However, her entrepreneurial spirit truly began to flourish during her second marriage to Olympian Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner). Kris took on the role of managing his career, negotiating endorsement deals, and promoting his activities as a racecar driver. This period was crucial in developing her business acumen, teaching her to negotiate contracts, manage public relations, and identify lucrative opportunities. In 2004, she further delved into retail by opening a children’s boutique called “Smooch” with her eldest daughter, Kourtney. The boutique operated for nearly six years before closing in 2009.
The defining moment in Kris Jenner’s career came in 2007 when she pitched the idea for a reality television series based on her family to producer Ryan Seacrest. This vision materialized into Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK), which debuted on E! and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Jenner served as an executive producer for most of her family’s reality programs, orchestrating their rise to superstardom. She famously coined the term “momager” to describe her role as both mother and manager to her six children, a title she later trademarked.
The success of KUWTK led to numerous spin-off series, including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (2009), Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011), Khloe & Lamar (2011), Rob & Chyna (2016), and Life of Kylie (2017), all of which she executive produced. In 2013, she also hosted a six-week pop culture-driven daytime talk show called Kris, though it was not renewed beyond its initial run.
Beyond television, Kris Jenner has been a driving force behind her children’s individual business ventures. She runs her own production company, Jenner Communications, based in Los Angeles. She has been instrumental in the launch and guidance of highly successful family brands such as Kylie Cosmetics, Kylie Skin, KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, Skims, Good American, 818 Tequila, SKKN by Kim, and Arthur George. Jenner is reported to take a 10% management fee from her children’s earnings, including brand partnerships and show deals. In 2011, she also launched a clothing line called Kris Jenner Kollection with QVC and authored her autobiography, Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian, followed by a cookbook, In the Kitchen with Kris: A Kollection of Kardashian-Jenner Family Favorites, in 2014.
Following the family’s decision to conclude their run on E! in 2021, Kris Jenner and her family transitioned to Hulu, starring in the new reality series The Kardashians, which premiered in April 2022 and continues to follow their personal and professional lives. As of 2024, Jenner also joined the production team of the forthcoming Hulu legal drama series All’s Fair as an executive producer.
Kris Jenner Personal Life & Family
Kris Jenner’s personal life has been closely intertwined with her public persona, largely documented through her family’s reality television shows. She has been married twice and is a mother to six children, four from her first marriage and two from her second, leading to the prominent “Kardashian-Jenner” blended family.
Her first marriage was to successful attorney Robert Kardashian on July 8, 1978. During this marriage, she became Kris Kardashian and had four children: daughters Kourtney (born 1979), Kim (born 1980), Khloé (born 1984), and son Rob (born 1987). The couple divorced in March 1991, following Kris’s affair with former soccer player Todd Waterman. Despite their divorce, Kris and Robert remained friends until his death from esophageal cancer in 2003.
Just one month after her divorce from Robert Kardashian, Kris married retired Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (who publicly came out as a transgender woman and took the name Caitlyn Jenner in 2015) in April 1991. With Bruce, she had two more daughters: Kendall (born 1995) and Kylie (born 1997). Through this marriage, she also became stepmother to Bruce’s four children from previous marriages: Burt, Cassandra “Casey,” Brandon, and Brody Jenner. Kris and Caitlyn Jenner announced their separation in October 2013 and their divorce was finalized in 2015. While their relationship faced challenges, particularly following Caitlyn’s transition and memoir, Kris has publicly supported her children’s relationships with Caitlyn.
Since around 2014, Kris Jenner has been in a long-term relationship with business executive and talent manager Corey Gamble, who is 25 years her junior. They met at a party in Ibiza, Spain, in August 2014. Despite fan speculation about marriage, Jenner stated in 2022 that she is not secretly married and often emphasizes her “never say never” attitude towards it, while also acknowledging that her past marriages have impacted her views on remarrying. She hinted in July 2024 that she might consider tying the knot “maybe when I’m 70”.
As a devoted mother and grandmother, Kris Jenner has 13 grandchildren as of 2024. Her role as “momager” extends beyond professional management; she is a strong supporter of her children, offering emotional and financial assistance, such as her support for Rob Kardashian after his retreat from the limelight. She has publicly stated her unconditional love and support for her children, even when faced with unconventional life choices. Jenner also has a strong passion for interior design, personally decorating her family’s homes, and is an avid collector of vintage Chanel handbags. She lives in Hidden Hills, California.
Awards and Achievements of Kris Jenner
While Kris Jenner herself has not received numerous traditional individual awards, her career is marked by significant achievements in the entertainment industry, primarily through her groundbreaking role as a “momager” and her entrepreneurial success. Her most notable achievements are tied to the establishment and immense success of the Kardashian-Jenner empire.
- Creation of a Reality TV Phenomenon: Jenner is widely recognized as the mastermind behind Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK), a show that revolutionized reality television and ran for 20 seasons, making her family household names globally. She acted as an executive producer for KUWTK and its various spin-offs, as well as the current Hulu series, The Kardashians.
- Master of Brand Building and Management: Kris Jenner has demonstrated unparalleled skill in transforming personal lives into a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. She manages the careers of all her children, securing lucrative deals and guiding their entrepreneurial ventures across beauty, fashion, and lifestyle sectors. This has led to the creation of successful brands like Kylie Cosmetics, KKW Beauty, SKIMS, and Good American. Her ability to monetize personal branding while navigating the rapidly evolving media landscape is a key achievement.
- Trademarking “Momager”: Jenner famously coined and trademarked the term “momager,” solidifying her unique and influential role in entertainment management.
- Recognition in Business Circles: Although specific major industry awards for Kris Jenner biography are less commonly publicized, her business acumen has been acknowledged. In 2012, she reportedly received the Distinguished Achievement in Television Award at the B&C Hall of Fame Awards. She has also been named one of the “Top 100 Women in Entertainment” multiple times by The Hollywood Reporter. Forbes has recognized her influence and wealth, listing her among “America’s Self-Made Women” and “Celebrity 100” in various years.
- Author and Producer: Her published autobiography, Kris Jenner… and All Things Kardashian, and cookbook, In the Kitchen with Kris, are further testaments to her diverse career achievements. She also launched her production company, Jenner Communications, and in 2025, filed a trademark for “Kris Jenner Productions,” indicating further expansion into her own production endeavors.
Notably, while Kim Kardashian gifted Kris a “real Emmy” that she bought at an auction for her 60th birthday, the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians itself was never nominated for an Emmy Award during its original run. Kris Jenner’s achievements lie more in her strategic prowess and her role as the architect of a modern media dynasty rather than traditional accolades.
Kris Jenner Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Kris Jenner’s personal wealth is estimated to be approximately $170 million. Her substantial net worth is derived from a diverse array of income streams, primarily stemming from her role as the “momager” and executive producer of the Kardashian-Jenner family’s media and business ventures.
One of her primary income sources is the reported 10% management fee she takes from her children’s earnings, including brand partnerships, modeling deals, and their various beauty and lifestyle companies. This “momager” cut has proven incredibly lucrative, especially given the immense financial success of brands like Kylie Cosmetics and KKW Beauty. For instance, when Coty Inc. acquired a 51% stake in Kylie Cosmetics for $600 million in 2019, it was revealed that Kris owned a 10% stake and sold half of it for a pre-tax windfall of $30 million, retaining a 5% stake worth an additional $30 million. Similarly, when Coty Inc. acquired a 20% stake in KKW Beauty for $200 million in 2020, valuing the company at $1 billion, Kris owned 8% of KKW, translating to an $80 million pre-tax value on paper.
Jenner also earns millions annually from her appearances on reality television. She reportedly made between $5 million and $7.5 million per season for Keeping Up with the Kardashians. For the first two seasons of the Hulu series The Kardashians, she reportedly earned $25 million. Her income frequently reaches the $40 million mark annually.
In addition to her reality TV and management earnings, Kris Jenner’s income sources include her own production company, Jenner Communications, earnings from her published autobiography and cookbook, various brand endorsement deals, and property investments. She also co-founded the cleaning product brand Safely. Her strategic business decisions and comprehensive branding strategies have allowed her to convert media attention into significant monetary gain, proving her formidable management skills. As of 2025, her estimated net worth places her as a significant figure among the wealthiest reality TV stars.
Legacy and Influence
Kris Jenner’s legacy is defined by her profound influence on reality television, celebrity branding, and modern entrepreneurship. She is widely credited with pioneering the concept of the “momager” and transforming her family into one of the most powerful and profitable pop culture empires of the 21st century.
Her strategic vision for Keeping Up with the Kardashians was revolutionary. At a time when reality TV stars received modest fees, Jenner secured unprecedented terms, positioning her family as content creators rather than just disposable talent. The show’s 20-season run on E! and its continuation as The Kardashians on Hulu provided an “always-on marketing platform” that allowed the family to build individual brands and diversify into numerous industries. Jenner’s ability to turn everyday family events into lucrative business opportunities redefined how celebrities leverage their personal lives for commercial success.
Jenner’s impact on celebrity branding is immense. She fostered a “social-first approach” long before it became standard, utilizing platforms like Instagram and Twitter to engage millions of followers and monetize their audience. This strategy created a powerful shift in marketing, where brands interact in real-time with fans, and a strong social presence is integral to any business strategy. She taught her children a strong work ethic, emphasizing that hard work is essential for realizing dreams.
Her public image is that of a powerful, savvy businesswoman who is fiercely protective and supportive of her family. Despite facing criticism and controversies, Jenner has remained resilient, consistently adapting to industry trends and guiding her family through the complexities of fame. Her holistic approach to brand building, combining business strategy, media savvy, and personal presentation, has become a blueprint for modern entrepreneurship in the digital age.
Looking forward, Kris Jenner continues to shape her legacy. In 2025, she has expressed intentions to focus significantly on managing the careers of her grandchildren, aiming to build the next generation of the family empire. This forward-thinking approach underscores her ongoing commitment to maintaining and expanding the Kardashian-Jenner brand’s influence for decades to come.
Interesting Facts about Kris Jenner
- Early Entrepreneurial Exposure: As a teenager, Kris Jenner reportedly worked in a doughnut shop and later at a children’s clothing store owned by her mother and grandmother, gaining early business experience.
- Childhood Health Scare: At the age of eight, a year after her parents divorced, Kris was diagnosed with a cancerous bone tumor. Fortunately, it did not spread, and she fully recovered after surgery.
- “Momager” Trademark: Kris Jenner is credited with coining the term “momager” and later successfully trademarked it, solidifying her unique role as a mother who also manages her children’s careers.
- Passion for Interior Design: She has a strong passion for interior design and is known to personally decorate all of her family’s homes, showcasing her creative flair beyond business.
- Vintage Chanel Collector: Kris Jenner is an avid collector of vintage Chanel handbags, possessing a large and impressive collection that she often showcases.
- Emmy “Acquisition”: While Keeping Up with the Kardashians never won an Emmy, her daughter Kim Kardashian bought Kris a “real Emmy” at an auction for her 60th birthday. Kris famously adopted the motto “Fake it ’til you make it” in reference to the award.
- Quotes on Success: Jenner has shared numerous insights, including, “If somebody says no, you’re talking to the wrong person,” and “Unless you’re willing to work really, really hard, and work for what you want, it’s never going to happen”.
- “A Curse and a Burden”: Despite the immense success, Kris has reflected on the downsides of fame, stating, “We’ve built this amazing life for ourselves, and sometimes I feel like it can be a curse… Sometimes, I feel like I’ve helped build something that can also be a burden. The haters, they’re so brutal sometimes”.
- Retirement Plans: As of 2025, Kris Jenner has no immediate plans for retirement, stating she aims to work until at least 85, following in her mother’s footsteps.
- Current Partner’s Background: Her longtime partner, Corey Gamble, was Justin Bieber’s tour manager when they first met.
Controversies
Kris Jenner’s highly public life and her family’s reality television presence have inevitably led to various controversies over the years. These challenges have often been navigated publicly, sometimes even incorporated into the family’s narrative.
One of the most widely publicized controversies involved Kris’s affair with former soccer player Todd Waterman during her first marriage to Robert Kardashian. Robert Kardashian filed for divorce in 1990 after discovering the affair. Kris has since openly admitted to the affair, stating it was her biggest regret and that she is not proud of what she did to Robert. Waterman himself came forward in 2012, claiming their “wild and passionate affair” was the catalyst for the divorce. This period of her life has been discussed candidly in her autobiography and on Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Another significant area of controversy has involved her relationship with Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner), particularly following Caitlyn’s public transition and the release of her memoir, The Secrets of My Life, in 2017. Kris publicly disapproved of comments Caitlyn made about her and their marriage in the memoir, leading to strained relations between Caitlyn and Kris’s daughters for a period. Kris has since stated she believes she “didn’t handle her relationship with Caitlyn correctly”.
The Kardashian-Jenner family, under Kris’s management, has also faced accusations of cultural appropriation in their business ventures, particularly concerning the use of traditionally Black hairstyles and aesthetics for profit. Additionally, there have been rumors and unverified claims of physical abuse towards her children, which Kris and her daughters have vehemently denied as “ridiculous” and “not true,” with Kim Kardashian jokingly tweeting about the allegations in 2013.
Despite these challenges, Kris Jenner has consistently presented a resilient public image, often stating her focus on protecting and supporting her family through any public scrutiny. She has leveraged these moments, as with the reality show’s origin, to maintain media exposure and further build the family brand.
Social Media Presence
Kris Jenner maintains a significant and active presence across various social media platforms, primarily leveraging them to promote her family’s brands, share personal insights, and engage with her global fanbase. Her online presence is a cornerstone of the Kardashian-Jenner empire’s digital strategy.
- Instagram: As of August 2025, Kris Jenner’s Instagram account (@krisjenner) boasts approximately 51.7 million followers. She frequently posts about her daily life, family milestones, business ventures, and fashion, maintaining a curated yet personal connection with her audience.
- Twitter (X): Kris Jenner also utilizes Twitter (now X) to share updates, interact with fans, and promote various projects. While specific, consistently updated follower counts for Twitter are less readily available through simple search queries due to the dynamic nature of the platform and changes to its API, her account contributes to her overall digital footprint and brand engagement.
- YouTube: Kris Jenner has a YouTube presence, with a channel (@krisjenner) that lists around 2.81K subscribers, likely featuring more curated content or archival clips. The broader Kardashian-Jenner content, including full episodes and clips from their reality shows, is often hosted on official network channels like E! News’ YouTube channel, which has over 2.25 million subscribers.
Her substantial social media following underscores her continued relevance and influence in the digital age, playing a crucial role in the family’s direct-to-consumer business model and maintaining their constant visibility.
Final Words about Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner stands as a formidable figure in contemporary popular culture, a self-made entertainment mogul who skillfully transformed her family’s lives into a global brand. Her journey from a devoted mother to the ultimate “momager” is a testament to her vision, unwavering work ethic, and entrepreneurial genius. She not only created a reality television dynasty but also meticulously built a diversified business empire that continues to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape.
As of 2025, Kris Jenner remains highly active in her career, showing no signs of slowing down. She has explicitly stated her intention to work until at least the age of 85, drawing inspiration from her own mother. Her current focus extends to nurturing the next generation of the Kardashian-Jenner family, with plans to actively manage her grandchildren’s burgeoning careers and further expand the family’s legacy. This forward-thinking approach ensures that her influence will continue to shape the entertainment and business worlds for years to come.
Her legacy is multi-faceted: she is the architect of a unique celebrity business model, a pioneer in leveraging personal branding for commercial success, and a matriarch who fostered unprecedented levels of family collaboration in business. Despite the public scrutiny and controversies that have accompanied her rise, Kris Jenner has maintained a resilient public image, often emphasizing her role as a protector and supporter of her children. Her ability to consistently innovate, monetize exposure, and maintain cultural relevance solidifies her position as an iconic and influential force in modern media and entrepreneurship. The Kris Jenner biography is far from over, with new projects, strategic expansions, and continued family endeavors shaping her ongoing impact.