Reality television star and business mogul Kim Kardashian has shared a poignant new detail from the traumatic 2016 Paris jewellery heist that continues to haunt her. While testifying at the trial of her alleged attackers in Paris on May 13, the 45-year-old recalled how a simple gift from her eldest daughter became her most cherished possession from the ordeal.
The Lego 'Treasure Box' That Outshone Jewels
During a recent episode of her Hulu series, The Kardashians, Kim recounted the story to her stylist, Simone Harouche. She described how her then-young daughter, North West, gave her a Lego piece, declaring it a "treasure box" filled with "magical things" to keep her mother safe. Kardashian kept the token by her bedside in her Paris hotel room for comfort.
"We'd be like, 'I made it another night from ISIS!'" Kardashian told Harouche, referencing the irrational fears that gripped her after the violent robbery. "We kept thinking it was like ISIS that was going to get us."
In a cruel twist of fate, the gang of so-called 'Grandpa Robbers' who stole an estimated $10.8 million worth of jewellery – including her iconic $4 million diamond engagement ring from Kanye West – inadvertently spared the humble Lego. The thieves, who had dressed as policemen, grabbed the Louis Vuitton case containing her jewels, discarding the child's toy. "This was the only thing that I got to keep, and I kept it," the mother-of-four stated emotionally.
A Traumatic Ordeal and Lasting PTSD
The Skims founder detailed the horrifying events of October 2016 at the No Address Hotel. Armed men broke into her room while she was wearing only a bathrobe, tied her hands and feet, taped her mouth, and placed her in a bathtub. Ultimately, eight out of ten defendants were found guilty for their roles in the meticulously planned crime.
Kardashian, who was known for constantly sharing her location on social media at the time, managed to slip out of her restraints and scream for help. However, she has been candid about suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the years since the attack.
"And I took it home with me, and I was like, 'This kept me safe!'" she said of the Lego. "Who cares about the jewels? It kept me safe."
Life Moves Forward for Kardashian and North
While the trial revisits past trauma, life continues for the Kardashian-West family. North West, now a precocious 12-year-old with 19.4 million TikTok followers, recently modelled for her mother's Cactus Plant Flea Market campaign and showcases a distinct style, including a recent piercing-filled manicure posted online.
Kim Kardashian, meanwhile, balances her billion-dollar businesses with her ongoing pursuit of a legal career. Despite recently learning she did not pass the California Bar exam, she is scheduled to retake the rigorous test in February. Her shapewear company, Skims, continues to thrive, now valued at a staggering $5 billion.
The star also continues to expand her entertainment portfolio, executive producing and starring in the legal drama All's Fair on Hulu/Disney+, with several other film and television projects in development.
