Kylie Jenner Defends Self-Made Billionaire Status Again

Kylie Jenner has once again taken on the ongoing debate regarding her status as a “self-made” billionaire. This discussion has persisted since 2019, when Jenner graced the cover of Forbes and was labeled the youngest self-made billionaire in the world. Many questioned how someone with such prominent parents—Kris and Caitlyn Jenner—could truly be classified as self-made.

In a new interview with Who What Wear, Jenner tackled the controversy around her accumulated wealth, an issue that has followed her for seven years. “None of the money I’ve ever made is inherited, so it’s technically true,” she shared. “But people just feel like the privilege I’ve had was a major stepping stone.”

According to Forbes, the term “self-made” refers to an individual who has generated a fortune without inheriting it. By their definition, Jenner qualifies, since her fortune originated from her own business, Kylie Cosmetics, rather than family wealth.

The phrase has sparked criticism in the past, particularly after Forbes faced backlash in 2019 for labeling her as self-made. In response to those criticisms, Jenner stated during an interview with the German edition of Interview magazine later that year that she was “very proud” of her classification as self-made. “There’s really no other word to use other than self-made because that is the truth. That is the category that I fall under,” she declared.

At just 21 years old, Jenner was deemed the youngest self-made billionaire. However, the following year, Forbes reported that Jenner had allegedly submitted fraudulent tax returns to inflate her wealth, leading to a reevaluation of her net worth. Eventually, her status changed, and Forbes revised her net worth to below the billion-dollar mark. As of last year, Jenner ranked at #52 on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women, boasting a net worth of $670 million.

Aside from financial discussions, Kylie Jenner remains a notable figure in pop culture, recently drawing attention for her pink hair revival and her recent partnership with Adidas as their latest ambassador. Jenner’s presence in the beauty and fashion industry continues to make waves, while conversations about her financial status and privilege linger in the public eye.