Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kim Kardashian

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Kim Kardashian.

Kim Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman who rose to prominence in 2007. Initial attention stemmed from the leak of a sex tape. Subsequently, she gained widespread recognition through the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which she starred in with her family. The show's success resulted in numerous spin-offs and a successor show on Hulu, The Kardashians. She is now a recognizable figure in pop culture.

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

1994: Kevin Keith's Case

In 1994, Kevin Keith was convicted of triple homicide in Ohio, which became the subject of the podcast The System: The Case of Kevin Keith hosted by Kim Kardashian in 2022.

1994: Father's Involvement in O. J. Simpson Trial

In 1994, Kim Kardashian's father represented football player O. J. Simpson during his murder trial.

2003: Creation of Sex Tape

In 2003, Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J made a sex tape that was later leaked on the internet.

2004: Unauthorized Credit Card Charges Allegations

In 2004, Sonja Norwood alleged that she had authorized Kim Kardashian to make "one and only one" purchase on her American Express credit card, but Kardashian and her sisters Khloé and Kourtney incurred over $120,000 in unauthorized charges.

2006: Alleged Unauthorized Purchases at Family Boutique

Sonja Norwood alleged that the bulk of unauthorized charges were attributable to purchases made at Kardashian's family-owned boutique in 2006.

February 2007: Sex Tape Leak

In February 2007, a sex tape made by Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J in 2003 was leaked on the internet and gained national attention, leading to a lawsuit against Vivid Entertainment which was later settled.

2007: Gaining Media Attention

In 2007, Kim Kardashian first gained media attention following the unauthorized release of a sex tape with singer Ray J.

2007: Continued Alleged Unauthorized Purchases

In 2007, Sonja Norwood alleged that the bulk of unauthorized charges were attributable to purchases made at Kardashian's family-owned boutique.

2008: Lawsuit Filed by Sonja Norwood

In 2008, Sonja Norwood filed a lawsuit against Kim Kardashian after no payments had been made regarding alleged unauthorized charges.

2009: Confidential Settlement Reached

In 2009, Kim Kardashian and Sonja Norwood reportedly reached a confidential settlement, and the lawsuit was dismissed.

October 2011: Filed for Divorce from Kris Humphries

In October 2011, after 72 days of marriage, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries citing irreconcilable differences.

2011: Lawsuit against Old Navy

In 2011, Kim Kardashian filed a $20 million lawsuit against clothing retailer Old Navy for allegedly misappropriating her likeness in an advertisement starring Melissa Molinaro.

August 2012: Settlement with Old Navy

By August 2012, Kim Kardashian and Gap, Old Navy's parent company, settled a $20 million lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit, filed in 2011, alleged that Old Navy misappropriated Kardashian's likeness by featuring Melissa Molinaro in an advertisement.

2012: Named among the "most annoying celebrities"

In 2012, a British survey named Kim Kardashian among the "most annoying celebrities".

April 2016: Condemns The Wall Street Journal Article

In April 2016, Kim Kardashian condemned The Wall Street Journal for running an advertisement by FactCheckArmenia.com that denied the Armenian genocide.

October 2, 2016: Robbed at Gunpoint in Paris

On October 2, 2016, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in her Paris apartment during Paris Fashion Week. Five individuals dressed as police officers stole $10 million worth of jewelry.

October 6, 2016: Filming for KUWTK Placed on Hold

On October 6, 2016, filming for the next season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians was placed "on hold indefinitely" following the robbery.

October 10, 2016: Video Released After Robbery

On October 10, 2016, a video was released showing Kim Kardashian immediately after the robbery, sparking questions about the veracity of the event.

October 25, 2016: Dropped Lawsuit

On October 25, 2016, Kim Kardashian dropped the lawsuit regarding the video released after the robbery.

January 9, 2017: Persons of Interest Detained

On January 9, 2017, French police detained 17 persons of interest for questioning in Kim Kardashian's robbery case.

October 2018: Meeting with President Museveni in Uganda

In October 2018, Kim Kardashian and her husband, Kanye West, met with President Yoweri Museveni in Uganda and were criticized for it, due to his crackdown on the opposition and the Ugandan LGBT community.

August 2019: Shapewear Company Rebranded to "Skims"

In August 2019, Kim Kardashian rebranded her shapewear company to "Skims" after facing criticism for the original name, "Kimono." The company was co-founded by Kardashian, Emma Grede, and Jens Grede.

2020: Trial Sought for Robbery Suspects

In 2020, French prosecutors sought trial for 12 suspects allegedly involved in the robbery of Kim Kardashian in 2016.

2020: Condemns Azerbaijan Actions and Supports Armenia

In 2020, Kim Kardashian condemned the actions of Azerbaijan in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, expressing her support for Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh.

January 2022: Lawsuit over EthereumMax promotion

In January 2022, Kim Kardashian was named as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit against the cryptocurrency company EthereumMax, alleging that the company is a pump and dump scheme. The lawsuit claimed that she promoted the EthereumMax token on social media.

October 2022: SEC Fine for Cryptocurrency Promotion

In October 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Kim Kardashian had agreed to pay a $1.26 million fine for failing to report a $250,000 payment for promoting the EthereumMax token. She also agreed not to promote cryptocurrency assets for three years and to cooperate with an ongoing investigation.

December 2022: Dismissal of EthereumMax Lawsuit

In December 2022, Central California U.S. District Court Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald dismissed the lawsuit against Kim Kardashian on the basis that the claims were insufficiently supported given heightened pleading standards for fraud.

April 2025: Robbery Case Trial

In April 2025, the trial for Kim Kardashian's robbery case finally took place, with Kardashian giving evidence in person. Eight of the defendants were convicted, and two were acquitted.