Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were one of the most talked-about couples of the 21st century. Their love story was filled with romance, drama, and global scrutiny. However, like many fairytales, a happy ending proved elusive. What ultimately caused the split, and have they managed to maintain an amicable co-parenting relationship? Read on to find out. Also, learn about the Hollywood romance between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt. More on losangeleska.
The Beginning of the Romance
They knew each other long before they started dating, even before they both achieved global fame. In the early 21st century, Kanye was building his career in the rap industry, while Kim was just beginning her path in show business. Kim grew up in an affluent family. After school, she immediately started working as a stylist and appearing on television. Before her relationship with Kanye, she was married to Damon Thomas. They were friends for many years while they were developing their individual careers. But everything changed in 2012. They were spotted together in New York on several restaurant dates. Soon after, photographers noticed Kim wearing earrings with the rapper’s initials. It was then that their romantic relationship officially began. Kanye started calling Kim his muse. In his song “Cold,” he confessed that he had been in love with Kim even when she was still in a relationship with someone else.
Eventually, they stopped hiding their relationship and openly attended baseball games and various other events. Kanye was with Kim in Toronto when she presented her first jewelry collection. They also appeared together at the Cannes Film Festival and the BET Awards ceremony.
The Wedding and Family
On New Year’s Eve 2013, Kanye announced Kim’s pregnancy to fans during a concert. Their daughter, North West, was born on June 15, 2013. Just a year after they started dating, the couple announced their engagement. The proposal was massive: Kanye rented out AT&T Park in San Francisco, hired an orchestra, and proposed under a festive fireworks display.
In May 2014, the couple had a lavish wedding in Florence, Italy. The event was one of the biggest in the entertainment world, symbolizing their love and reflecting their glamorous, over-the-top style. The wedding dress, designed by then-Givenchy Creative Director Ricardo Tisci, was estimated to be worth £300,000. More than 200 guests were invited to the star-studded ceremony. The atmosphere was set by John Legend and Andrea Bocelli. During the ceremony, guests applauded twice—first for the newlyweds’ kiss, and then for the bride and groom’s vows. Their wedding vows were private and spoken quietly.
The family grew to include four children. Their daughter North was born in 2013, and Saint in 2015. Their last two children were born via surrogate: daughter Chicago in 2018 and son Psalm in 2019. Both parents stated in multiple interviews that their children were their greatest shared joy.
Relationship Troubles and Divorce
The couple’s family life had its shares of ups and downs. Kim supported Kanye in his career ventures, including the launch of his “Yeezy” brand, while Kanye helped Kim cultivate an image that made her a style icon.
However, six years after their wedding, the couple began experiencing serious disagreements. Kanye, who had publicly acknowledged his struggle with bipolar disorder multiple times, gave controversial interviews and made erratic public statements that strained their relationship. Kim, for her part, tried to support her husband but admitted it was emotionally exhausting. In his song “Hurricane,” the rapper cryptically admitted to cheating on his wife. Fans immediately speculated that Kanye was revealing the truth about their impending divorce. Over the years of their marriage, they both changed significantly. Kim wanted to distance herself from her television career and focus on US prison reform. Kanye also grew tired of living in a “glass house” where fans knew everything about him. He began talking about pursuing a political career.
In February 2021, Kim filed for divorce after seven years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the primary reason. Their split marked the end of one of Hollywood’s highest-profile love stories, but they both continued to build their lives. After the divorce, Kim and Kanye communicated only through bodyguards for a long time. They ignored each other at events and on social media. Kanye immediately moved out of the family estate in Calabasas. Since the couple had signed a prenuptial agreement before the wedding, there were no major issues during the divorce process. The former spouses have equal rights regarding child-rearing. According to the agreement, West must pay $200,000 in child support monthly. Furthermore, Kanye must reimburse 50% of the funds spent on the children’s education and security.
Life After the Split
Kanye West continued to be in the spotlight after the divorce. His music career remained active—he released the album “Donda” in August 2021, which received mixed reviews but maintained fan interest. Kanye West made many controversial public statements after the divorce. He also actively showed off his new partner, Bianca Censori, the head of design for his “Yeezy” brand. They held a symbolic wedding ceremony, but it never led to an official marriage. Two years later, the couple broke up. Censori reportedly took the split hard and decided to return to her native Australia. Following these events, Kanye stated he planned to emigrate from the US to Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Kim started a romance even while divorcing Kanye. Her chosen partner was comedian Pete Davidson. The media spotted them together in California, making Davidson Kardashian’s first boyfriend after separating from her husband. Pete has a reputation as a Hollywood ladies’ man, having dated Phoebe Dynevor, Kate Beckinsale, and Ariana Grande. However, after eight months of dating, the couple broke up. The reason was Davidson’s impulsiveness; he proposed to Kim after just a few months, and she did not want to rush things. Kim was emotionally drained after the end of this romance. Kanye West also reacted to their breakup. The rapper wrote in a blog post: “Skete Davidson died at age 28.” Following the divorce, Kim focused on her numerous business ventures and her role as a mother. She continued to grow her brand “SKIMS,” which became one of the most successful in the fashion world. Furthermore, Kim became actively involved in advocacy and took part in matters related to criminal justice. Kim also mentioned that after the divorce, she was focused on self-development and raising her four children. In one interview, she stated that her main goal was to create a stable and happy environment for her children.
Despite the divorce, Kim and Kanye remain co-parents to their children. In 2022, Kim was granted primary custody, although Kanye retained rights to regular visits. At times, their parenting approaches differed, causing some tension. Nevertheless, Kim stated that she strives to provide the best possible conditions for the children and protect them from excessive media attention.
The love story of Kim and Kanye is about more than just two stars’ relationship. It’s a tale of how love can change people, inspire creativity, and simultaneously subject them to intense trials.