Kim Kardashian

The Early Years

Kim Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, to Robert Kardashian and Kris Houghton. Her father is best known for his role as O.J. Simpson's defense attorney during his 2003 murder trial. Her parents divorced in 1989 and her mother remarried Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner. Kim Kardashian has two sisters, Kourtney and Khloe and one brother, Robert. Her stepbrothers include Burton, Brandon and Brody Jenner, the latter of whom is reality television star. She has one stepsister, Casey Jenner, and two half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Her father died from cancer in 2003.

Her Rise to Fame

After being cut off financially from her parents at 18, as a way to instill in her a good work ethic, Kardashian started hanging around with the "socialite crowd" of Paris and Nicky Hilton and Nicole Richie. She did, however, maintain a working career. At 16, she started working with her father's company, Movie Tunes. But her interests were in fashion and style.

In 2004, she started her own celebrity styling business, with her first client being singer Brandy Norwood. Kim started being the go-to girl by many celebrities and even started doing other closet makeovers and selling many of their old clothes on eBay for a hefty profit.

Two years later, she took her fashion sense along with her sisters, Kourtney and Khloe, opened up Dash, a fashion boutique in Calabasas, California. The success of this retail shop has also allowed the trio to sell their fashions on the Internet at Shop Dash Online.

The Infamous Kim Kardashian Sex Tape

In January 2007, Kardashian was thrown into the media spotlight after a 2004 sex video made with then-boyfriend Ray J, was leaked on the Internet. It was then distributed through Vivid Entertainment, which reportedly purchased the tape for $1 million from a third-party interest. She originally intended to sue the video company, but later settled out of court for $5 million. The tape, entitled Kim Kardashian Superstar was never distributed via DVD, but can be viewed on the Internet for a fee.

Playboy Model

While some sex scandals can ruin a celebrity's status, Kim Kardashian's did just the opposite. Less than a year after she made headlines with her tape, she posed for Playboy. Not only did she get a ten page pictorial, she also made the cover. The December 2007 issue showcased Kardashian in all her glory, specifically emphasizing her famous curves.

Reality Television Star

With mother, Kris, and sisters, Kourtney and Khloe

It didn't take long for the socialite to start showing up on the television screen. In less than a year, Kim Kardashian has starred on two reality television shows, both of which have received high ratings.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians

In her reality television debut, Kim Kardashian along with her family and the Jenner clan, joined forces to bring E! Entertainment viewers Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The show stars most, but not all of the family members including Bruce and Kris Jenner and kids: Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Robert, Kendall and Kylie. In late 2008, the show, produced by Ryan Seacrest, was picked up for its third season.

Dancing with the Stars

It's the reality show that everyone wants to be a part of, yet only a few are selected. ABC's Dancing with the Stars started its fall 2008 season with the likes of many celebrities -- Kim Kardashian included. While professional dancing is not her forte, she said she plans to work hard to keep up with her partner, pro dancer Mark Ballas Jr., who won the previous season on Dancing with the Stars. Unfortunately, Kardashian and Ballas were eliminated from competition during its second week.

Personal Life

With Reggie Bush

Kim has hooked up with a variety of celebrities over the years including Nick Cannon, Nick Lachey, The Game and Benji Madden. In 2000, she wed music producer Damon Thomas, a marriage that ended in 2004. In 2008, she began dating NFL running back Reggie Bush.

Kim Kardashian's Trivia

• Kim Kardashian is of Irish and Armenian descents.
• In May 2008, she released the exercise DVD Workout with Kim Kardashian.
• Her favorite movies are Clueless and The Notebook.
• In 2008, she ranked third on E! Entertainment's list of "Best Beach Bodies".
• Kim celebrated her 14th birthday at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch.
• She starred in the 2008 film Disaster Movie with Carmen Electra and Vanessa Minnillo.