Kim Kardashian is Officially Declared a Billionaire
The beauty mogul has finally made it onto Forbes' World’s Billionaires list.
It's official—Kim Kardashian is a billion-dollar lady. Forbes announced her new estimated net worth on Tuesday, adding her to the World's Billionaires list alongside business titans like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerburg. According to the publication, her two main forms of revenue were her shapewear brand Skims and beauty line KKW Beauty, which bumped her total up from $780 million in October. In addition, her brand endorsements, reality television deals, and other investments also played key roles in helping her cement this fiscal achievement.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star launched her beauty empire in 2017, just on the heels of her sister Kylie Jenner. Like her youngest sister, the success of her brand was heavily influenced by her own person serving as a de facto ambassador and endorser of the product. Thanks to her staple reality television spot and active social media presence, her business flourished due to her established base of followers.
“It’s the first time I’ve moved away from having licensing deals and transitioned into being an owner,” said Kardashian in a 2017 interview with the magazine.
Just last year, she sold 20 percent of her business to beauty conglomerate Coty for $200 million, estimating KKW Beauty's value at $1 billion, though the publication notes that the company is known for overpaying.
While continuing her beauty business, mobile game, and other brand deals, in 2019, the celebrity transitioned into the fashion industry by launching her line of shapewear and leisurewear products Skims. While the company has not publicized its earnings, Kardashian does hold a majority stake. According to a source, the business is likely worth $500 million, meaning Kardashian's cut would be at least $225 million.
When Kardashian appeared on the magazine's cover in 2016 for her rising empire, she joked, "Not bad for a girl with no talent."