Kris Jenner, born Kristen Mary Houghton on November 5, 1955, in San Diego, California, had a challenging childhood. Her parents, Mary Jo Shannon and Robert True Houghton, divorced when she was seven. Raised by her mother, Kris experienced a tumultuous upbringing. She graduated from Clairemont High School in 1973 and took on various jobs, including working at a donut shop and as a flight attendant for American Airlines.
The Kardashian Empire Begins
Kris Jenner married attorney Robert Kardashian in 1978, with whom she had four children: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob. Robert gained fame as one of O.J. Simpson’s defense attorneys during his 1995 murder trial. After their divorce in 1991, Kris married Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner (now Caitlyn Jenner), with whom she had two daughters, Kendall and Kylie.
The turning point in Kris’s career came in 2007 when she pitched the idea of a reality TV show centered around her family to producer Ryan Seacrest. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” debuted on E! later that year, becoming a cultural phenomenon and one of the longest-running reality TV series in the U.S.
Business Ventures and Investments
Kris Jenner is not just a reality TV star; she is a savvy businesswoman and manager. She co-founded KKW Beauty with Kim Kardashian in 2017. The brand achieved a $1 billion valuation when Coty Inc. acquired a 20% stake for $200 million in 2020, valuing Kris’s 8% stake at $80 million pre-tax.
Similarly, Kris held a 10% stake in Kylie Cosmetics, co-founded by her daughter Kylie Jenner. When Coty Inc. acquired a 51% stake in the company for $600 million in 2019, Kris sold half her stake for a $30 million pre-tax windfall. Her remaining 5% stake was worth another $30 million.
Kris Jenner’s Luxurious Lifestyle
Kris Jenner’s lifestyle reflects her immense wealth. She owns multiple properties, including a mansion in Hidden Hills, California. Her car collection is equally impressive, featuring luxury vehicles such as a 2021 Rolls Royce Ghost, several Ferraris, Bentley Continental GTCs, Mercedes Maybach S600, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, and a Range Rover Autobiography.
Kris’s daily routine is meticulously organized. She wakes up at 4 a.m., starts her day with coffee, and then exercises. Known for her ENTJ personality type, Kris thrives on structure and planning. She follows a strict diet and fitness regimen, aided by her personal trainer and chef. Despite being diagnosed with psoriasis at 30, Kris maintains a healthy lifestyle and often sports high-end fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy.
Financial Overview
As of 2024, Kris Jenner’s net worth is estimated to be around $170 million. This wealth stems from her various roles as a television producer, manager, author, and entrepreneur. Her annual income is approximately $40 million, largely from her work on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” managing her daughters’ careers, and her business ventures.
Leadership Lessons from Kris Jenner
Kris Jenner’s success can be attributed to several key leadership principles:
- Knowing Your Strengths: Kris leverages her family’s public relations and brand image to build a successful empire.
- Understanding Your Market: She recognized the public’s fascination with her family’s glamorous lifestyle and capitalized on it.
- Handling PR Crises: The Kardashian-Jenner clan has navigated numerous public scandals, showcasing Kris’s ability to manage and mitigate negative publicity effectively.
Kris Jenner’s journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a multimillionaire “momager” is a testament to her resilience, business acumen, and strategic thinking. Her net worth of $170 million in 2024 reflects her pivotal role in creating and sustaining one of the most influential families in modern pop culture. As she continues to expand her brand and business ventures, Kris Jenner’s legacy as a media mogul and businesswoman is firmly cemented.
