Kris Jenner is a woman of many talents.
She’s an entrepreneur, a mother to six children, and a successful television personality.
But it wasn’t always that way – once upon a time, Kris was simply young Kris Jenner, growing up in Southern California and dreaming of living the life she leads today.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how Kris got her start in life and the formative years that shaped her into the woman we know today.
Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner was born in 1955 in San Diego, California. She was raised by her parents, Mary Jo and Robert Kardashian. Kris attended Clairemont High School and graduated from there in 1973. After high school, she attended Claremont McKenna College before transferring to the University of Southern California where she earned a degree in business administration. Growing up, Kris had a passion for fashion and dreamed of one day becoming a successful businesswoman.
Early Life and Career
Childhood and education
Kris Jenner had a childhood filled with love and support from her parents and siblings. She was raised in Southern California, where she attended Clairemont High School, graduating in 1973. After high school, Kris enrolled at Claremont McKenna College before transferring to the University of Southern California where she earned a degree in business administration.
Early career in TV commercials and modeling
Early in her career, Kris Jenner worked as a TV commercial and print model. She appeared in commercials for brands like Clairol, Safeway, and Maxwell House. She also modeled for various publications including Vogue, Ladies Home Journal, and Harper’s Bazaar. In addition to modeling, she started her own production company called Jenner Communications which produced television specials and infomercials. With her passion for fashion, Kris also created a line of swimwear called Kris Jenner Swimwear which was sold in department stores nationwide.
Marriage and Family Life
Marriage to Robert Kardashian
Kris Jenner married lawyer Robert Kardashian in 1978. They had four children together: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob. Although the marriage ended in 1991, Kris remained close to her ex-husband and his family. She was an active participant in her children’s lives and attended their various sporting events and school activities. In addition to being a mother to her four children, Kris also became a stepmother to Robert’s two children from his previous marriage.
Children with Robert Kardashian (Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob)
Kris and Robert Kardashian welcomed four children into the world: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob. Kourtney was born in 1979, followed by Kim in 1980 and Khloé in 1984. The youngest brother, Rob, was born in 1987. All four of Kris’s children were raised to be successful and independent individuals. All four have gone on to become successful in their own right, with Kim and Kourtney becoming household names due to their reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”
The O.J. Simpson Trial
Kris Jenner was close friends with Nicole Brown Simpson, the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson. When Nicole was found murdered in 1994, Kris was devastated and became involved in the trial as a source of emotional support for her friend’s family. She was present at almost all court proceedings and even hosted a viewing party of the verdict at her home with close friends and family members when the verdict was announced.
The trial of O.J. Simpson had a major impact on Kris Jenner’s personal and family life. Her close friendship with the victim, Nicole Brown Simpson, left her devastated by the tragedy and she became heavily involved in the trial process. During this time, her focus shifted away from her own family, leaving them feeling neglected and confused. Her children were especially affected by the events as they had to experience the trial and its aftermath from a young age. Although the trial was difficult for the family, Kris was able to use the death of her friend as motivation to become an advocate for victims of domestic violence.
Kris Jenner’s Business Ventures
Establishing her own management company
In 2003, Kris Jenner started her own management company called Jenner Communications. The company focuses on managing the careers of her children while also producing television specials and infomercials. Through Jenner Communications, Kris has been able to help launch her daughter Kourtney’s lifestyle brand Poosh and Kim’s beauty line KKW Beauty. In addition to managing her own family’s business ventures, Jenner Communications has also managed the careers of other celebrities like Khloe Kardashian’s ex-husband Lamar Odom.
Launching her children’s careers in reality
Kris Jenner is credited with launching her children’s careers in reality television. Following the success of her daughter Kim’s 2003 sex tape, Kris saw an opportunity to capitalize on their fame and created the hit series Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The show focused on the day-to-day lives of the Kardashian/Jen Ner family and became a massive success. The show ran for 14 seasons and spawned numerous spin-off series. Kris was often seen as the matriarch of the show, often helping to manage her children’s lives and careers. She has also been credited with helping launch several other successful reality shows such as Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami, Dash Dolls, I Am Cait and Life of Kylie.
Personal Life and Relationships
Marriage to Caitlyn Jenner (formerly known as Bruce Jenner)
Kris Jenner married Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner (now known as Caitlyn Jenner) in 1991. The couple had two children together, Kendall and Kylie. Despite having a successful marriage for many years, the couple announced their separation in 2013 and officially divorced in 2014. During the divorce proceedings, it was revealed that Kris had been aware of Bruce’s gender identity issues for some time and was supportive of his transition. Following their divorce, the former couple has remained amicable, and both have acted as supportive parents to their children.
Divorce and subsequent relationships
Kris Jenner’s divorce from Caitlyn Jenner marked the end of her marriage and the beginning of a new chapter in her personal life. Following the split, Kris began to date Corey Gamble, a music manager nearly twenty years her junior. The couple has been together since 2014 and is often seen out and about attending events together. Though their relationship has faced some criticism due to their age difference, Kris has remained undeterred and continues to be in a committed relationship with Gamble.
Conclusion
Kris Jenner is a well-known TV figure and businesswoman, but many may not be aware of her successes in the years prior to reality television fame. Kris began her career working as a flight attendant before becoming an assistant to O.J. Simpson’s lawyer Robert Kardashian, Sr., which ultimately led to her marriage with Robert’s son, Bruce Jenner (now known as Caitlyn Jenner). During the trial of O.J. Simpson, Kris dealt with a great deal of grief over the loss of her close friend Nicole Brown Simpson and used this tragedy as motivation to become an advocate for victims of domestic violence. After her divorce from Bruce, she established her own management company, Jenner Communications, and helped launch the careers of her children in reality television.
