Robert Kardashian at a Glance
Robert Kardashian’s Net Worth: A Look at His Life, Career, and Legacy
Robert Kardashian, a name synonymous with both legal prowess and the modern-day celebrity landscape, left behind a legacy that continues to captivate the public. While perhaps best known for his involvement in the infamous O.J. Simpson trial, Kardashian’s life was a multifaceted tapestry woven with threads of law, business, family, and a significant impact on pop culture. This article delves deep into the life, career, and lasting influence of Robert Kardashian, exploring his net worth, family history, and the events that shaped his remarkable journey.
Early Life and Armenian Heritage
Robert Kardashian was born in Los Angeles on February 22, 1944. His family’s roots trace back to Armenian immigrants who came to the United States from present-day Turkey. The family name, originally “Kardaschoff,” was later Russianized to “Kardashian.” This heritage played a significant role in shaping his identity. His parents, Helen and Arthur Kardashian, established a successful meat-packing company, a testament to the family’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Growing up in Baldwin Hills with two siblings, Robert attended high school in Los Angeles before enrolling at the University of Southern California (USC). It was during his time at USC that he first crossed paths with O.J. Simpson, serving as the waterboy for the football team where Simpson played. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration before pursuing his legal studies at the University of San Diego School of Law.
Early Career and Business Ventures
After earning his law degree, Robert Kardashian embarked on a legal career that spanned approximately a decade. While this period of his life was relatively less publicized compared to his later involvement in the O.J. Simpson case, it laid the foundation for his future endeavors. His true entrepreneurial spirit would soon emerge, leading him to venture beyond the courtroom.
In 1973, Kardashian co-founded “Radio & Records,” a trade publication. Demonstrating a keen business acumen, he successfully sold the publication in 1979, reaping a considerable profit. He also demonstrated innovative thinking in the entertainment sector. Kardashian pioneered the concept of using music as background filler in movie theaters. This proved to be a profitable venture, and he established a company called Movie Tunes based on this premise.
His business ventures continued to thrive, and he partnered with his old college friend, O.J. Simpson, to establish Juice, Inc., a frozen yogurt company. This collaboration cemented their already strong friendship, leading to further joint projects, including a music video production company called Concert Cinema. During this period, a close bond developed between the Kardashian and Simpson families, fostering a sense of loyalty between the two households. O.J. Simpson even served as the best man at Robert Kardashian’s wedding, highlighting the depth of their friendship.
(Photo by Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)
Involvement in the O.J. Simpson Trial: A Defining Moment
The bond between Robert Kardashian and O.J. Simpson was tested in 1994 when Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, was murdered. In the aftermath of the crime, Simpson sought refuge at the Kardashian household. This decision brought Robert Kardashian directly into the center of a media storm and a highly publicized legal saga. One controversial aspect of this period involved Kardashian carrying a Louis Vuitton bag from Simpson’s estate, fueling speculation that it contained crucial evidence, possibly even the murder weapon or key pieces of evidence. Although never confirmed, it remains a point of intrigue.
When Simpson failed to surrender to authorities, Robert Kardashian was compelled to read a note written by his friend on television. This note was widely interpreted as a suicide letter at the time. Simpson was eventually apprehended, and the trial became a media spectacle of unprecedented proportions. Kardashian reactivated his law license and joined Simpson’s defense team as a volunteer assistant. His unwavering support for Simpson, visible throughout the trial, was seen as a significant factor in Simpson’s acquittal. Throughout the trial, he remained by Simpson’s side.
In the years following the trial, the close friendship between Kardashian and Simpson reportedly deteriorated, with some sources indicating that Kardashian began to harbor doubts about Simpson’s innocence. This change in sentiment is supported by statements from Robert’s son, Rob Kardashian, who later acknowledged the “blood evidence” as a significant point of contention.
Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images
Personal Life: Marriages, Family, and Relationships
Robert Kardashian’s personal life was marked by significant relationships and the raising of a prominent family. In 1978, he married Kris Houghton, who later became known as Kris Jenner. A year later, they welcomed their daughter, Kourtney, into the world. Kimberly (Kim) Kardashian followed in 1980, and the family expanded further with Khloe and Rob. The marriage ended in 1991, after thirteen years. Kris later revealed in her autobiography that she had been unfaithful during their marriage.
After his divorce, Robert Kardashian had several relationships. He became briefly engaged to Denice Shakarian Halicki. He later married Jan Ashley, but the marriage ended in an annulment. Ashley stated that Kardashian was still deeply affected by the end of his first marriage. His final marriage was to Ellen Pierson, which took place just weeks before his death, after a three-year relationship and a 2001 proposal.
VINCE BUCCI/AFP/Getty Images
Cancer Diagnosis and Eventual Passing
In 2003, Robert Kardashian was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Tragically, the disease progressed rapidly, and he died just two months after diagnosis at the age of 59 in his home in Encino, Los Angeles. He was laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery. Though his controversial involvement in the O.J. Simpson case had thrust him into the public eye, it was his family, particularly his daughters, who would gain even greater recognition. His legacy was cemented four years after his passing, when the reality television show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, premiered. The show focused on the lives of his family and helped make his last name known worldwide.
Robert Kardashian in Pop Culture
Robert Kardashian’s life has been immortalized in popular culture, most notably through the FX series “American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson” in 2016, where David Schwimmer portrayed him. Schwimmer’s performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Also in 2016, ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 series released “O.J.: Made in America,” a five-part documentary that featured Kardashian extensively via archive footage.
In 2017, Rob Kardashian was the subject of the pilot episode of Amazon Prime’s “Over My Dead Body” comedy series, further cementing the family’s connection to the entertainment world.
The Encino Mansion and Its Significance
In June of 1994, Robert Kardashian was living in a leased home in Encino, California. This house, located at 16254 Mandalay Drive, played a pivotal role in the events surrounding the O.J. Simpson case. When the media frenzy at Simpson’s Brentwood home became overwhelming, Kardashian invited his old friend to move in. The Encino home became a central location for key events, including Simpson’s indictment and the infamous white Ford Bronco chase. At one point, OJ and his girlfriend Paula Barbieri, moved into “Kimmie’s bedroom”, which was actually Kim Kardashian’s bedroom at the time.
The house changed hands several times after Kardashian’s death in 2003. It was sold in 1997 for $830,000. In 2016, the property sold for $1.3 million. The new owners did major renovations and flipped the house to a buyer named Russell in October 2020 for $5.6 million. Russell listed the home for sale several times, finally dropping the price to $6.2 million in January 2024. You can take a virtual tour of the house below: