Early Life
Kris Jenner was born Kristen Mary Houghton to parents Mary Jo Shannon and Robert True Houghton on November 5, 1955, in San Diego, California. Her father was an aircraft engineer, and she had a younger sister, Karen.
When Kris was just seven years old, her parents divorced. Kris’ mother moved her and her sister to Clairemont, California. In 1963, at just eight years old, Kris developed a cancerous bone tumor. Fortunately, the cancer did not spread, and after the tumor was removed, she received a clean bill of health.
Kris’ mother remarried businessman Harry Shannon. Shannon’s business partner ran off with all the company’s money, forcing the family to move back to San Diego.
Career
In 1978, Kris married a successful lawyer, Robert Kardashian, known as a member of the “Dream Team” of attorneys that defended O.J. Simpson. The couple had four children together, Kourtney, Kim, Robert, and Khloé, but divorced in 1991.
One of Kris’ closest friends, the wife of O.J. Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson, was tragically murdered in the 90s. Kris’ ex-husband defended his friend, O.J. Simpson, in the trial, making him a household name since the trial was televised nationally. In 2003, Kris’ ex-husband passed away from esophageal cancer.
In 1991, Kris married former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner. The couple had two children together, Kendall and Kylie. This also made Kris the stepmother of the four children from Bruce’s previous two marriages. Kris became Bruce’s manager and began to negotiate endorsement deals for his career.
In 2007, Kris pitched the idea for a Kardashian family reality TV show to Ryan Seacrest. Keeping Up with the Kardashians went on to become one of the most successful and longest-running reality TV shows of all time. The 18th season aired in March 2020. The show has also led to several spinoffs, including Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami, Khloé and Lamar, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, and more.
In 2013, Kris had a short stint as the host of her own daytime talk show. In 2013, Kris and Bruce Jenner separated and shortly divorced in December 2014. The divorce was due to Bruce Jenner coming out at transgender and soon receiving gender reassignment surgery. Bruce changed his name to Caitlyn and further identified as female.
Kris continues to manage her daughters’ careers as a self-described “momager.”
Kris Jenner Relationships: Who Has She Dated?
As discussed, Kris Jenner’s first marriage was to Robert Kardashian and her second to former Olympian Bruce Jenner. Here’s a rundown of who she’s dated:
- Robert Kardashian (m: 1978-1991)
- Todd Waterman (1988)
- Bruce Jenner (m: 1991-2015)
- Corey Gamble (2014–present)
In the News
Kris Jenner has graced headlines since the 90s. She was constantly in the news during the infamous O.J. trial as the best friend of the murdered Nicole Brown Simpson. In 2012, Kris stated she had an affair with soccer player Todd Waterman during her marriage to Robert Kardashian.
During her divorce from Bruce Jenner, Kris reported that she had known of Jenner’s use of hormones in the 80s but was not aware of a gender issue. Jenner has nine grandchildren and is still appearing on the hit reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Her current boyfriend, Corey Gamble, is 25 years younger than her.
To keep up with one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, check back with The Shade Room!
