Kris Jenner admits she didn’t know how to manage money until her first divorce

Kris Jenner admits she didn’t know how to manage money and had ‘never paid a bill’ until her first divorce: ‘That was the turning point for me’

Kris Jenner admits she was forced to learn how to manage money after her first divorce.

Now a hugely successful businesswoman sitting atop the Kardashian empire, the 65-year-old reality star-turned-mogul talks money in a new interview for WSJ. Magazine’s latest digital cover.

Jenner – who is estimated to be worth $190 million, according to Forbes – says she used to be clueless about how to manage her finances because her first husband, Robert Kardashian, would control the money and take care of bills. 

Boss: Kris Jenner talked to WSJ. Magazine about her evolution from housewife to business mogul

After their divorce in 1991, Jenner says, everything changed.

‘One day, my friend, Shelli Azoff, said to me when I was going through my divorce [from Robert], “How much is your gardener?” And I said, “I don’t know.” And she said, “You don’t know?” Jenner recalls.

‘That was the turning point for me: I was embarrassed that I didn’t know. I woke up one day to responsibilities that I hadn’t had the day before. And I needed to figure it out.

‘And the good news is, I pay attention… I’m a quick study and I knew I had to get it together,’ she adds.

Jenner says she used to be clueless about how to manage her finances because her first husband, Robert Kardashian, would control the money and take care of bills. Kardashian, seen here, passed away in 2003

Jenner says she used to be clueless about how to manage her finances because her first husband, Robert Kardashian, would control the money and take care of bills. Kardashian, seen here, passed away in 2003

'I needed to figure it out': Kris, 65, recalls feeling embarrassed about not knowing how much her household bills were and says it was a 'turning point' after her divorce

‘I needed to figure it out’: Kris, 65, recalls feeling embarrassed about not knowing how much her household bills were and says it was a ‘turning point’ after her divorce

‘I felt such an enormous sense of accomplishment to be able to figure it all out and pay my own bills and make my own money and do my own taxes. And there were times when I didn’t have a lot of money, but I was very organized.’ 

After launching the Kardashian brand she now she manages the careers of her children, which reach dizzying new heights each year, thanks in part to Jenner’s savvy business decisions. 

‘I’m interested in different ways that people make money – and in what’s happening around the world. And I’m interested in different businesses and how they evolve and how they become successful,’ she tells WSJ.

'I felt such an enormous sense of accomplishment to be able to figure it all out and pay my own bills and make my own money and do my own taxes. And there were times when I didn't have a lot of money, but I was very organized.' Kris told WSJ. Magazine

‘I felt such an enormous sense of accomplishment to be able to figure it all out and pay my own bills and make my own money and do my own taxes. And there were times when I didn’t have a lot of money, but I was very organized.’ Kris told WSJ. Magazine

Family: Kris and Robert are seen here with their kids Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Rob

Family: Kris and Robert are seen here with their kids Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Rob

Empire: After launching the Kardashian brand she now she manages the careers of her children, which reach dizzying new heights each year, thanks in part to Jenner's savvy business decisions

Empire: After launching the Kardashian brand she now she manages the careers of her children, which reach dizzying new heights each year, thanks in part to Jenner’s savvy business decisions

Products: This week Jenner announced a new business venture with Chrissy Teigen, as they launch a line of cleaning products together called Safely

Products: This week Jenner announced a new business venture with Chrissy Teigen, as they launch a line of cleaning products together called Safely

‘I just enjoy the business world.’

This week Jenner announced a new business venture with Chrissy Teigen.

The duo have teamed together, along with Good American CEO/ co-founder Emma Grede to launch a line of plant-powered home cleaning and self-care products called Safely. 

According to People, Safely will offer hand creams, soaps and sanitizers, along with more heavy-duty cleaning supplies and glass cleaner products.

The company, which officially launches on Thursday, wrote that it was ‘dedicated to clean cleaning with natural aromatherapy scents’ in a press release. 

Momager to mogul: Kris Jenner is WSJ. Magazine's digital cover star

Momager to mogul: Kris Jenner is WSJ. Magazine’s digital cover star