Kimberly Noel Kardashian (born October 21, 1980) is an American media personality, businesswoman, and socialite who has become one of the most recognizable figures in global pop culture. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she is the daughter of Robert Kardashian, a prominent attorney, and Kris Jenner. She attended Marymount High School, an exclusive private Catholic school. Following graduation, she gained early professional experience working as a personal stylist and assistant to celebrity figures, including Paris Hilton, which provided her with foundational knowledge of brand management, image curation, and public relations. Kardashian’s ascent to international fame began in the mid-2000s, catalyzed by the 2007 unauthorized release of a private sex tape. While the incident was controversial, it drew significant media attention, which she and her family leveraged to secure a reality television deal. In 2007, *Keeping Up with the Kardashians* premiered on the E! network. The series, which chronicled the personal and professional lives of the Kardashian-Jenner family, became a cultural phenomenon, running for 20 seasons until 2021. The show’s massive success spawned multiple spin-offs and transitioned the family into a global multimedia brand. In 2022, she and her family launched a successor series, *The Kardashians*, on the streaming service Hulu. Transitioning from reality television star to an entrepreneurial powerhouse, Kardashian has established a diverse portfolio of businesses. Her early ventures included the boutique chain DASH, founded with her sisters Kourtney and Khloé, which operated from 2006 to 2018. In 2017, she launched KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance, both of which achieved rapid commercial success; she subsequently closed these lines in 2022 to pursue new ventures. Her most significant business achievement to date is the shapewear and clothing brand SKIMS, which she founded in 2019. SKIMS achieved multibillion-dollar valuations and widespread critical acclaim for its inclusive sizing and marketing strategy. Her business interests also include the skincare line SKKN by Kim (launched in 2022) and an active role in investments, including her involvement with the private equity firm SKKY Partners. Beyond entertainment and commerce, Kardashian has dedicated significant time to criminal justice reform. Her advocacy began in 2017 after she learned of the case of Alice Marie Johnson, a great-grandmother serving a life sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. Kardashian engaged a legal team to petition for Johnson's release, leading to a meeting with President Donald Trump and Johnson’s subsequent clemency in 2018. This experience inspired Kardashian to pursue a formal legal education. Eschewing the traditional law school route, she utilized California’s Law Office Study Program, engaging in a rigorous four-year legal apprenticeship that stretched over six years due to her professional commitments and the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2021, she passed the "baby bar" examination, a milestone for first-year law students in unaccredited programs. In May 2025, she officially completed her apprenticeship, becoming eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam. Throughout her career, Kardashian has faced both immense popularity and criticism, with early skeptics labeling her as "famous for being famous." However, her ability to monetize her personal brand, navigate evolving digital landscapes, and transform herself into a serious entrepreneur and advocate has cemented her status as a cultural architect. She remains one of the most followed individuals on social media, having effectively pioneered the modern influencer economy and redefined the intersection of celebrity, commerce, and public policy advocacy in the 21st century.