American reality television star and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian is set to testify on Monday in a Paris court as proceedings begin against six men accused of stealing $10 million worth of her jewellery during a dramatic 2016 armed robbery.
The accused, known in French media as the “grandpa robbers” due to their ages, allegedly tied Kardashian up and threatened her at gunpoint inside her private apartment during Paris Fashion Week. Despite the global fame of the media personality, reports suggest the assailants initially did not realize who she was.
According to the AFP ,speaking ahead of the trial, Kardashian’s U.S. attorney, Michael Rhodes, confirmed her willingness to testify. “Kim is prepared to fully cooperate with the French authorities and testify about the traumatic experience she endured,” Rhodes said.
Investigators believe Kardashian’s social media activity, which included frequent updates about her travels and luxurious possessions, may have made her an easy target. The robbers specifically demanded the $4 million diamond engagement ring given to her by her then-husband, rapper Kanye West, which she had prominently displayed online.
Born in Los Angeles, Kardashian, now 44, rose to fame initially through her connections with socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. However, it was a leaked private tape in 2007 that propelled her into global consciousness, coinciding with the launch of her family’s reality TV show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Over the years, Kardashian has faced criticism for being famous “for being famous,” yet she has transformed her brand into a business empire spanning beauty, fashion, and shapewear. Her clothing line, Skims, valued at $4 billion after a 2023 investment round, has further cemented her billionaire status, with Forbes estimating her net worth at $1.7 billion.
Reflecting on her success, Kardashian previously remarked, “I work hard and surround myself with the best people, and that’s how I keep growing.”
Her personal life has often captured headlines. Her marriage to Kanye West, filled with extravagant displays of wealth and celebrity, ended in divorce in 2021 after public struggles with West’s mental health. Kardashian, who shares four children with the rapper, has spoken about the challenges of co-parenting. “You want to be sensitive because they’re just kids, and it’s hard to go through no matter what age,” she told GQ in a 2023 interview.
Post-divorce, Kardashian briefly dated comedian Pete Davidson and has been linked to NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. She also pursued a legal career, passing California’s baby bar exam on her fourth attempt in 2021, inspired in part by her late father, attorney Robert Kardashian.
“My dad would be so proud,” she said after passing the exam. “He would actually be so shocked to know that this is my path now.”
As the trial unfolds in Paris, Kardashian’s testimony is expected to be a pivotal moment, shedding light on the harrowing ordeal that shook even one of the world’s most seasoned celebrities.
