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Robert Kardashian

Robert Kardashian was an American attorney and businessman who became widely known for serving on O.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Robert Kardashian was an American attorney and businessman who became widely known for serving on O. J. Simpson’s defense team during Simpson’s 1995 murder trial. He was also the father of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian, making him the patriarch of the Kardashian family. In Canada, he is widely known through coverage of the O. J. Simpson trial and the Kardashian family’s global media presence.

Early life and career

Robert Kardashian was born in Los Angeles, California, on February 22, 1944. He worked as an attorney and businessman and was of Armenian American heritage.

O. J. Simpson trial

Kardashian gained national attention as a member of O. J. Simpson’s defense team during the 1995 murder trial. His involvement brought him widespread public recognition.

Family

Kardashian was married to Kris Jenner from 1978 to 1991. They had four children: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian. The family later became widely known through reality television.

Death

Robert Kardashian died on September 30, 2003, in Los Angeles at the age of 59. The cause of death was reported to be esophageal cancer.

Key facts

  • He was an Armenian American attorney and businessman based in Los Angeles.
  • He gained national attention through his involvement in O. J. Simpson’s murder trial.
  • He was married to Kris Jenner from 1978 to 1991 and had four children: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian.
  • He died in Los Angeles in 2003 at age 59.
  • He is known as the patriarch of the Kardashian family.
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Canadian context

He is widely known in Canada through coverage of the O. J. Simpson trial and the Kardashian family’s global media presence.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Robert Kardashian?
He was an American attorney and businessman best known for being part of O. J. Simpson’s defense team and for being the father of the Kardashian siblings.
What made Robert Kardashian famous?
He became nationally known during O. J. Simpson’s 1995 murder trial, where he was part of the defense team.
Was Robert Kardashian related to the Kardashian family on television?
Yes. He was the father of Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian, who later became well known through reality television.
When did Robert Kardashian die?
He died on September 30, 2003, in Los Angeles.
What was Robert Kardashian’s background?
He was an Armenian American lawyer and businessman from Los Angeles.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kardashian
    Supports: Full name, birth and death dates, profession, Simpson trial, family background.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Robert-Kardashian
    Supports: Biography, Armenian American background, lawyer/businessman occupation, Simpson trial significance.
  3. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/legal-figures/robert-kardashian
    Supports: Career, Simpson trial role, spouses, children, death details.
  4. People — https://people.com/all-about-robert-kardashian-sr-everything-the-kardashians-have-said-about-their-late-father-7965818
    Supports: Family details, birth, death, Simpson trial, cancer diagnosis.