Who was Robert Kardashian Sr? 7 things to know about Kris Jenner’s ex-husband and Kim, Khloé, Kourtney and Rob’s dad, from his friendship with O.J. Simpson to his unlikely bond with Caitlyn Jenner
- We’re getting ready for the new Kardashians reality show on Hulu this month, but what about the OG Kardashian, Robert, who passed away before the family rose to fame?
- His family still misses him today, posting tributes on Instagram – Kim K’s ex-husband, Kanye ‘Ye’ West, even gifted her with a hologram of her late father on her birthday
Since the Kardashians first burst onto our screens back in 2007, the family has expanded dramatically. But it’s hard to believe that out of all the family members we got to know and see grow up over the years, we never saw the family patriarch, Robert Kardashian, who passed away before the Kardashians became a household name.
As the Kardashians launch their new reality show on Hulu this month, we find out who Robert was and if he was anything like the rest of them.
How did Robert Kardashian make his money?
Way back in 1973, Robert was a co-founder of the trade publication Radio & Records, which he and his partners sold for a huge profit a few years later in 1979. He was also behind the idea of playing music between films in theatres. He eventually developed the concept into a business, starting a new company called Movie Tunes.
Even though he was famous for his law career, the original Kardashian already had a taste for showbiz and the fortune it brings.
Kris Jenner wasn’t his only wife
Robert was famously married to Kris Jenner, with whom he had four children – Kim, Khloé, Kourtney and Rob. But sadly, things didn’t last.
“I got married when I was very, very young. I met Robert when I was 18 years old,” Jenner told podcast InCharge With DVF. “We dated for four years, got married at 22, sooner or later during my life when I was in my 30s, I had an affair and my biggest regret was the fact that it broke up my family.”
After splitting from Kris in 1991, he married Jan Ashley in 1998, but the union ended in an annulment after only 30 days. He then dated Ellen Pierson for three years, and they married six weeks before his death in 2003.
Robert Kardashian’s history with O.J. Simpson
