Born: March 17, 1987 (age 35 years), Los Angeles, CA
Birth Name: Robert Arthur Kardashian
Height: 6‘ 1" (1.85 m)
Net Worth: $10 million
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
As an avid Keeping Up with the Kardashians fan, I‘ve followed Rob Kardashian‘s journey from a mostly private person to a fixture in the public eye. While fame was simply handed to him as a Kardashian, Rob has shown he‘s more than just a reality star. He‘s proven himself a savvy businessman and devoted father who remains down-to-earth even amidst extraordinary celebrity.
Early Life in a Spotlight-Seeking Family
Born in 1987 to parents Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner, Rob grew up in both wealth and privilege. His father was a famous attorney who served on O.J. Simpson‘s defense team. His mother marketed herself into a brand long before KUWTK aired.
Though his parents divorced when he was young, Rob remained close with both. He attended school with other Hollywood kids like the Hilton sisters, forming lifelong bonds. Sources say even as a teen, Rob seemed uninterested in fame and all that came with it.
Still, the lure of reality TV pulled Rob in too. At just 20 years old, he appeared on the show Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive alongside older sisters Kourtney, Kim and Khloe. But it was Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiering later that year which made Rob a star.
Launching into Stardom with KUWTK
In 2007, viewers were introduced to the funny, offbeat little brother of the family. Rob‘s shy, reserved nature contrasted entertainingly with his outspoken sisters. He was incredibly close with Khloe, who loved pranking and poking fun at her baby bro.
Though Rob took the ribbing in stride, he also struggled at times feeling like the odd one out. “They all have their thing,” he said about his sisters. “I get jealous sometimes.”
But fans were drawn to Rob‘s quiet charm and good nature. On the show, he openly discussed insecurities about living in his sisters‘ shadow. He felt deep pressure to create his own identity outside of just being a Kardashian.
This vulnerably only further endeared anxious, ambitious Rob to supporters who could relate. On the show, he began taking steps towards something bigger.
Launching His Own Business Empire
Eager to make his own name, Rob started his first business venture in 2009 while still in his early 20s. His sock company Arthur George combined his middle name and his father‘s to create a memorable brand name.
The comfortable, fashionable socks were an instant hit with celebrities like Snoop Dogg and even former President Barack Obama. The company earned millions, proving Rob had a keen eye for spotting marketable ideas.
Rob didn‘t stop with socks. He soon diversified his portfolio by investing in:
- A menswear company called Halfway Dead
- A unisex fragrance line called BG5
- A phone case company called Reign
Most recently, Rob become an investor in sister Kim‘s billion-dollar shapewear brand SKIMS. Though fame may have opened doors, Rob‘s proven his business acumen by building a multi-million dollar empire before age 35.
Challenges with Weight and Mental Health
While Rob has thrived career-wise, he has struggled deeply with keeping off excess weight, often ballooning over 300 pounds. After gaining over 100 pounds from 2013 to 2015, Rob was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The health scare finally motivated him to take real action. Through diet and exercise, Rob lost 50 pounds over the next year, sharing his progress on social media.
But Rob‘s fitness journey has been filled with ups and downs as the pounds crept back on. Harsh body-shaming from the public only seemed to worsen the situation. During this time, sister Khloe revealed Rob was experiencing depression and avoiding cameras.
One can‘t help but admire how Rob perseveres with trying to get healthy despite the intense public scrutiny. He is committed to overcoming inner demons, setting an example not to give up when facing one’s vulnerabilities.
Life as a Father
Rob‘s life took a dramatic turn in 2016 when he had a brief, tumultuous relationship with model Blac Chyna. After just 4 months of dating, they announced their engagement and pregnancy.
Daughter Dream was born in November that year, and Rob embraced fatherhood with open arms. He doted on his little girl, relishing their precious time together. When Rob and Chyna split in 2017, they agreed to amicably co-parent Dream.
Now age 6, Dream remains the light of her daddy‘s life. Rob maintains primary custody and loves spending weekends with his adorable little "twin."
For Rob, fatherhood became a motivator to make healthier changes. "I‘m gonna get it for my daughter," he has said about getting fit. Little Dream helps Rob see the man he wants to be.
Retreating From Fame
Unlike his publicity-seeking siblings, Rob has pulled back from the limelight in recent years to focus on raising his daughter. He rarely appears on KUWTK anymore or posts on social media.
"Rob is still struggling with some insecurities and some anxiety," sister Khloe revealed in 2021. "Therapy is helping him work through that."
Though only in his mid-30s, Rob gives off the vibe of someone much older and wiser. He sees Fame as toxic and unfulfilling.
As one of the most relatable Kardashians, fans continue to root for Rob living life on his own terms. His story is a cautionary tale about how celebrity isn‘t all it‘s cracked up to be.
For Rob, what matters most now is family – both the one he came from and the one he‘s created. He proves there‘s more to him than being born a Kardashian, continuing to find purpose in fatherhood and charting his own course.