Kardashian is currently one of the world’s most-searched words – but many people still have no idea what it means. Learn everything you need to know about the famous family here.
Who are they?
The Kardashians are a rich Los Angeles family who shot to fame on reality TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians in 2007. The family consists of:
The most famous member: Kim Kardashian, 31
Her sisters: Kourtney, 32, and Khloe, 27
Kim’s half-sisters: Kendall, 16, and Kylie, 14
Kim’s mother: Kris Jenner
Kim’s stepfather: Bruce Jenner
Why are they famous?
The Kardashian patriarch Robert was a high-profile criminal attorney who found fame as part of OJ Simpson’s defence team. Robert and his wife Kris had four children, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Rob.
Related: Has Kim Kardashian taken money-making stunts too far?
Robert and Kris divorced in 1990 (he died of oesophageal cancer in 2003) and Kris remarried former US Olympic track and field star Bruce Jenner in 1991, changing her name to Kris Jenner.
Kim was the first Kardashian girl to find fame, after she was photographed partying with Paris Hilton, who was one of the most famous people on the planet at the time. Kim and Paris had been friends since childhood and even travelled to Australia together in 2006, but they stop talking quickly afterwards and have been feuding ever since.
Kim’s star rose even higher in February 2007, when a sex tape she made with her then-boyfriend, R&B singer Ray J, was leaked on the internet. It went on to make more than $6 million.
Later that same year, the E! network offered Kim and her family their own reality show, Keeping up with the Kardashians.
The show was an instant hit, making the Kardashians overnight superstars. The show has run for six seasons and spawned a host of spin-off series including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim take New York and Khloe and Lamar.
The family has also made millions of dollars in endorsements, with Kim modelling for numerous clothing, accessories and confectionary brands and various other products.
She has also launched her own fragrance, and several clothing, jewellery and handbag collections with her sisters Kourtney and Khloe.
Kim even made an estimated $17.9 million in magazine deals and endorsements from her own wedding, despite filing for divorce from husband Kris Humphries after just 72 days of marriage.
In pictures: Amazing celebrity weight loss
Kim’s half-sisters Kendall, 16, and Kylie, 14, have also found fame from the TV series, with Kendall finding great success modelling and Kylie launching an acting career.
Your say: Why do you think the Kardashian family has become so famous?
Video: Kim Kardashian lands in Sydney
