Kylie Jenner defends ‘self-made billionaire’ title amid years of criticism
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kylie Jenner is once again defending her "Youngest Self-Made Billionaire" title, arguing that none of her wealth was inherited, seven years after Forbes sparked controversy by giving her the distinction.
In a 'Who What Wear' interview published August 27, Jenner explained why she believes the recognition remains accurate, acknowledging that her privilege and platform played a major role in her success. At the same time, she maintained that she used her own money to launch Kylie Cosmetics.
Kylie Jenner explains her self-made billionaire claim
Jenner, who was 21 when Forbes featured her in August 2018 as being on track to become the world's youngest "self-made" billionaire, has defended the description before. In a 2019 Interview Germany conversation, she argued that "There's really no other word to use other than self-made because that is the truth" and said that was "the category that I fall under."
In her interview, Jenner contended, "None of the money I've ever made is inherited, so it's technically true," while acknowledging that "the privilege I've had was a major stepping stone."
She previously made a similar argument in a Paper magazine interview, insisting that "the self-made thing is true." Jenner said she "really spent every last dime that I had starting" Kylie Cosmetics, which was described as being worth an estimated $900 million at the time.
She also said her parents, Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner, "cut her off at the age of 15," telling her, "I needed to make my own money" and learn how to "save and spend your own money, stuff like that."
She added, "What I'm trying to say is I did have a platform, but none of my money is inherited," and said she "did not get money from" her parents past the age of 15, two years before launching Kylie Cosmetics. "I am a special case because before I started Kylie Cosmetics, I had a huge platform and lots of fans," she said.
"I used 100 percent of my own money to start the company." She added, "Not a dime in my bank account is inherited," saying she was "very proud" of that.
Kylie Jenner revisits her King Kylie era
Jenner has also been reflecting on the period that helped define her public image. The Kylie Cosmetics co-founder recently gave followers a glimpse of her extensive wig collection, sharing colorful hairstyles from the 2010s, including bubblegum-pink bangs, violet bobs, hot pink waves, long yellow locks and her famous blue wig.
"I love my life," she captioned the Instagram Stories post on July 30. Her daughter Stormi previously reacted to photos from the era, asking whether Jenner had dyed her hair. Jenner explained that it was a wig and admitted while laughing that her blue wig and red outfit combination was "not good."
She recently revisited the era through Dunkin's King Kylie Collection, saying the campaign was about "bringing King Kylie back in a way that feels playful, nostalgic" and "perfect for the summer." She described the era as "very pink," "fun" and "confident," adding that it remains "such a big part of me.”
Jenner previously said her King Kylie era began with her runway debut for Avril Lavigne's clothing line in 2011. During a Vogue Life in Looks session, she recalled her pink tips and said the experience "probably started honestly" her love of colored hair.
Stylists had used chalk rather than real hair dye, and Jenner said she was "obsessed" with the look. Looking back, Jenner also recalled making rockstar hand symbols and sticking her tongue out while walking the runway as her family cheered. "This is like the beginning of King Kylie," she said.
Despite her nostalgia, Jenner has acknowledged that her life became too big after she was crowned a billionaire. Reflecting on the "enormous life" she had at the time, she said, "I changed my mind about that.”
