Kim Kardashian has become America's top-earning reality TV star and a marketing asset for a number of brands. In the latest in our Celebrity Money series, we profile her earning power.
Kim Kardashian rose to fame in October 2007 when she and her family starred in the E! television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
It was back last month – with season six of the reality show that depicts the chaotic domestic life of Kim Kardashian, 30, her stepfather, the athlete Bruce Jenner, her sisters and the rest of her extended family.
Kim Kardashian's profile has grown exponentially in 2011. It was boosted in January with the premiere of Kourtney and Kim Take New York, the second spin-off of the show (the first being Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami) debuting on US TV, with the series following Kim and her sister as they leave Los Angeles to open a third DASH boutique in New York City.
But the reality TV shows are just part of the Kim Kardashian money-making machine.
The American socialite, television personality, producer, actress and model has launched multiple fragrances, guest-starred on numerous shows, competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and has had roles in films such as Disaster Movie and Deep in the Valley.
Along with her sisters, Kim has also released an autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential and is the producer of TV reality show The Spin Crowd.
The Kardashian sisters ventured into the world of finance last year with a prepaid MasterCard – the Kardashian Kard aimed to teach teenagers responsible spending.
But the sisters withdrew their support for the debit card three weeks after the product launched, following a warning from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal that the card’s fees were ‘predatory’.
Last month a judge threw out a $75million lawsuit filed against the Kardashian sisters for pulling their endorsement.
Alongside that is a formidable, if not exhausting line-up of other revenue streams.
The TV shows are the tip of the iceberg, with much of Kim's income sourced from family businesses like DASH boutiques, which she co-owns with her sisters, and her clothing line for retail store Bebe.
Her product endorsements and advertising deals range from Famous Cakes Va-Va-Va-Nilla cupcake mix to Skechers Shape-ups trainers, to Kotex pantyliners to the K Dash for QVC clothing.
Kardashian also promotes weight-loss product Quick Trim.
She also has her own licensed line of Beach Bunny Swimwear. She even has jewellery ranges and a Kardashian workout video (Fit In Your Jeans By Friday).
It all adds up - her net worth is now estimated to be $35million (£21million). She makes $40,000 (£24,500) per TV episode and can make up to $10,000 (£6,130) from sponsors for each tweet on Twitter that she broadcasts.
She also commands significant fees for appearances at opening clubs and hosting events.
She was recently placed No.1 in the list of Hollywood reality TV stars for her earnings of $6million in 2010 - ten per cent was donated to charity - which was before her earning power really took off.
So how did she become this money making machine? Some reports suggest she had a start in life by inheriting a multi-million trust fund from her father, a top lawyer.
But she's also grabbed every opportunity.
Her initial ambition was aided by her contacts book of Hollywood A-listers, by whom she has been surrounded from an early age.
Her father Robert, who died in 2003, represented American football star OJ Simpson in his 1995 murder trial.
Her first boyfriend was TJ Jackson, the son of Jackson Five star Tito. She had her 14th birthday party at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
She initially marketed herself by hanging out with Paris Hilton, and then hit the headlines – and gained valuable exposure – when in 2007 she took legal action to fight the distribution of a sex tape made with ex boyfriend Ray J – a hip-hop singer and brother of her client Brandy.
The tape became an internet smash and made Kim's face known worldwide. The reality TV show followed soon after along with the millions.
She is now engaged to basketball player Kris Humphries and wears his 20 carat diamond ring. He reportedly makes $3.2million a year with the New Jersey Nets and he owns a couple of burger restaurants with his family in Minnesota.
He is said to be worth approximately $8million, hence why the couple have agreed on having a pre-nupital agreement to separate their wealth. With Kardasian's wealth appearing to snowball, that was viewed as a shrew move on her part.
Kim Kardashian rose to fame in October 2007 when she and her family starred in the E! television series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
It was back last month – with season six of the reality show that depicts the chaotic domestic life of Kim Kardashian, 30, her stepfather, the athlete Bruce Jenner, her sisters and the rest of her extended family.
Kim Kardashian's profile has grown exponentially in 2011. It was boosted in January with the premiere of Kourtney and Kim Take New York, the second spin-off of the show (the first being Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami) debuting on US TV, with the series following Kim and her sister as they leave Los Angeles to open a third DASH boutique in New York City.
Kim Kardashian: The reality TV star is worth a fortune thanks to a variety of sources
The American socialite, television personality, producer, actress and model has launched multiple fragrances, guest-starred on numerous shows, competed on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and has had roles in films such as Disaster Movie and Deep in the Valley.
Along with her sisters, Kim has also released an autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential and is the producer of TV reality show The Spin Crowd.
The Kardashian sisters ventured into the world of finance last year with a prepaid MasterCard – the Kardashian Kard aimed to teach teenagers responsible spending.
But the sisters withdrew their support for the debit card three weeks after the product launched, following a warning from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal that the card’s fees were ‘predatory’.
Last month a judge threw out a $75million lawsuit filed against the Kardashian sisters for pulling their endorsement.
Alongside that is a formidable, if not exhausting line-up of other revenue streams.
The TV shows are the tip of the iceberg, with much of Kim's income sourced from family businesses like DASH boutiques, which she co-owns with her sisters, and her clothing line for retail store Bebe.
The sisters: Kourtney, Khloe and Kim are a money making machine
Kardashian also promotes weight-loss product Quick Trim.
She also has her own licensed line of Beach Bunny Swimwear. She even has jewellery ranges and a Kardashian workout video (Fit In Your Jeans By Friday).
It all adds up - her net worth is now estimated to be $35million (£21million). She makes $40,000 (£24,500) per TV episode and can make up to $10,000 (£6,130) from sponsors for each tweet on Twitter that she broadcasts.
She also commands significant fees for appearances at opening clubs and hosting events.
She was recently placed No.1 in the list of Hollywood reality TV stars for her earnings of $6million in 2010 - ten per cent was donated to charity - which was before her earning power really took off.
So how did she become this money making machine? Some reports suggest she had a start in life by inheriting a multi-million trust fund from her father, a top lawyer.
But she's also grabbed every opportunity.
Her initial ambition was aided by her contacts book of Hollywood A-listers, by whom she has been surrounded from an early age.
Her father Robert, who died in 2003, represented American football star OJ Simpson in his 1995 murder trial.
Her first boyfriend was TJ Jackson, the son of Jackson Five star Tito. She had her 14th birthday party at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
She initially marketed herself by hanging out with Paris Hilton, and then hit the headlines – and gained valuable exposure – when in 2007 she took legal action to fight the distribution of a sex tape made with ex boyfriend Ray J – a hip-hop singer and brother of her client Brandy.
The tape became an internet smash and made Kim's face known worldwide. The reality TV show followed soon after along with the millions.
She is now engaged to basketball player Kris Humphries and wears his 20 carat diamond ring. He reportedly makes $3.2million a year with the New Jersey Nets and he owns a couple of burger restaurants with his family in Minnesota.
He is said to be worth approximately $8million, hence why the couple have agreed on having a pre-nupital agreement to separate their wealth. With Kardasian's wealth appearing to snowball, that was viewed as a shrew move on her part.
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