Kim Kardashian has opened up about navigating life after her split from Kanye West, revealing that the stress from their marriage and its turbulent aftermath left her feeling trapped, even likening it to having ‘Stockholm syndrome’.
In the debut episode of Season 7 of “The Kardashians,” the 45-year-old reality TV star candidly discussed the challenges of managing West’s public outbursts while shielding their four children — North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6 — from the resulting turmoil.
Kim acknowledged that the immense stress has had physical repercussions on her health. “I have psoriasis again,” she admitted, explaining that she hadn’t experienced a flare-up since her previous divorce.
Reflecting on the pressure, she explained, “I felt more stressed, probably just because I had to super, super protect what I had to protect. My kids are involved now.”
When asked about witnessing her ex-husband’s erratic behavior in the public eye, Kim emphasized that her immediate concern is always her children. “My poor kids. Everyone around can handle it, but like…protect my babies,” she expressed, highlighting her commitment to safeguarding them from the chaos.
‘My poor kids. Everyone around can handle it, but like…protect my babies,’ she said.
Kim Kardashian is opening up about life after Kanye West — and how the stress of their marriage and its messy aftermath left her feeling trapped, claiming she once had ‘Stockholm syndrome’; (pictured Wednesday)
During the Season 7 premiere of The Kardashians, the 45-year-old reality star opened up about managing West’s public outbursts and protecting their four children — North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago , 7, and Psalm, 6 — from the chaos
‘They’re gonna know things. They’re gonna grow up. They’re gonna see. So my job as a mom is to just make sure that at a time when that behavior is happening, is just to make sure that they are protected.’
The SKIMS founder also revealed that this time, one of her children became aware of what was happening — something she’d managed to shield them from in the past.
‘It was the first time I think one of my kids knew what was happening,’ she said. ‘I’ve been able to hide it for so long.
‘I always felt like I had a little bit of like Stockholm syndrome, to where I always felt really bad and always protected and always wanted to help.
‘And this was the first time I didn’t feel that responsibility personally. You know, “I could’ve stuck it out, I should’ve…”‘
Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for West.
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which a hostage or abuse victim develops positive feelings toward their captor or abuser as a coping mechanism, per Cleveland Clinic.
Kim added that while outsiders may assume she can simply walk away, the reality is more complicated.
‘As much as people think that I have the luxury of walking away and not dealing ever again, that’s not my reality,’ she explained. ‘This person — we have 4 kids together.’
‘I always felt like I had a little bit of like Stockholm syndrome, to where I always felt really bad and always protected and always wanted to help,’ said Kim; (pictured 2019)
She also pushed back on the constant rumors that she keeps the children from their father.
‘It’s very confusing because it’ll be all this talk on the internet of like, “I’m keeping the kids.” He’s never once called and asked [to see them],’ Kim said.
‘But then I’ll wake up, and it’s on Twitter that I’m keeping the kids. So it’s just… When it’s not true and not rational, I just have to like…I can’t engage all the time. It’s a divorce. Not a kidnapping. We haven’t left! We’re in the same spot. We have the same address, so he knows where his kids are at.’
Kim went on to recall that West once bought a house next door so they could co-parent smoothly.
‘What happened to the house that you bought next door and we were going to co-parent and do it like back and forth, and you take them to school every day?’ she said.
‘I was like, “Have dinner with us every night.” Let’s have dinner as a family every night.’
She says that maybe that was too much for West after their relationship ended, but explained that that type of co-parenting relationship was just one she saw growing up, referencing parents Kris Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner and Robert Kardashian.
‘But that’s just what I saw from my mom and my stepdad and my dad. I just saw the best co-parenting, the best healthy relationships. So it is what it is.’
‘As much as people think that I have the luxury of walking away and not dealing ever again, that’s not my reality,’ she explained. ‘This person — we have 4 kids together’
The episode comes just as Kim is expanding her empire in Hidden Hills, reportedly purchasing the property right next door to her $60 million compound.
According to TMZ, the SKIMS billionaire — who turned 45 on Tuesday — dropped a cool $7 million on the 5,000-square-foot home, which features four bedrooms, five bathrooms, several fireplaces, and a spa.
The property also offers sweeping views and sits just steps from the neighborhood’s scenic horse trails.
The new purchase is said to be part of a major expansion to Kim’s current estate, which already spans three acres.
She and Kanye originally bought the Hidden Hills mansion for $20 million back in 2014, before spending years transforming it into an ultra-minimalist space.
West worked closely with Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt and a team of top architects to achieve the now-famous all-white, neutral aesthetic.
After the couple split in 2021, Kim became the sole owner of the property, paying West $23 million — $20 million for the house itself and another $3 million for its contents.
