Kim Kardashian West: reality TV star officially becomes a billionaire

Kim Kardashian West has officially obtained the rank of a billionaire, according to Forbes magazine.

She joins the likes of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos due largely to her clothing company Skims and her cosmetics brand, KKW Beauty, Forbes said.

How did she become a billionaire?

The magazine calculated that Kardashian West’s worth had risen to $1 billion from $780 million in October due in part to her stakes in the KKW Beauty cosmetics business, and the Skims shapewear company.

In 2017, Kardashian West founded KKW Beauty, following in the success of her half-sister Kylie Jenner and her beauty brand Kylie Cosmetics.

At the time, Kardashian West told Forbes: “It’s the first time I’ve moved away from having licensing deals and transitioned into being an owner.”

Last year, Kardashian West sold 20 per cent of KKW Beauty to cosmetics giant Coty for $200 million (£144 million), in a deal valuing the business at $1 billion.

Her stake in Skims, which is a shapewear company, is valued by Forbes at a “conservative” $225 million (£162 million).

Alongside her businesses, the rest of her wealth comes from her TV career, namely Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and endorsement deals - and between Kardashian West’s cash, investments and real estate, her net worth is $1 billion, according to the magazine.

Social media following

Kanye West, Kardashian West’s estranged husband, is already on the billionaire list following the success of his shoe brand Yeezy.

Her half-sister Kylie Jenner had also made the list - but was removed last May by Forbes after the magazine alleged that her family had inflated the value of her cosmetics business.

A large portion of the Kardashian and Jenner family’s success lies in their massive social media followings.

On Twitter, Kardashian West boasts 69.7 million followers, while her half sister Kylie Jenner has 38.1 million followers.

These are the Twitter follower counts of the rest of the family:

- Kris Jenner has 11.9 million followers

- Caitlyn Jenner has 3.5 million followers

- Khloe Kardashian has 29.3 million followers

- Kendall Jenner has 31.2 million followers

- Kourtney Kardashian has 26 million followers

- Rob Kardashian has 7.4 million followers