Overview and direct answer
Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian are connected by marriage and long‑term family friendship. They became brother‑in‑law and sister‑in‑law when Khloé married Lamar’s younger brother, Kris Humphries, in 2009. The most widely known chapter was Lamar’s 2013 marriage to Khloé herself, which lasted until their divorce in 2016. Since then, both have spoken publicly about respecting each other, co‑parenting when relevant, and maintaining a familial bond. This explainer covers who they are, key timeline milestones, the legal and personal transitions, and how they relate today.
Who are Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian?
Lamar Odom at a glance
Lamar Odom is a former professional basketball player who had a 14‑year NBA career, most notably winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers (2009, 2010). Known for his versatility and hustle, he played for the Lakers, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and other teams before retiring in 2014. Off the court, he has been public about struggles with substance use and health challenges, which have affected his personal and public life.
Khloé Kardashian at a glance
Khloé Kardashian is a media personality, entrepreneur, and co‑host of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She is known for her work in fashion and wellness, including the brand Good American, and for her high‑profile relationship and marriage to NBA player Tristan Thompson, with whom she has children. Her family connections include sisters Kourtney and Kendall Jenner and brother Rob Kardashian.
How are Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian related?
Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian are related through marriage. The pivotal relationship is Khloé’s marriage to Lamar’s brother, Kris Humphries, from 2009 to 2011. Later, from 2013 to 2016, Lamar was married directly to Khloé. This makes Lamar Odom the former step‑brother‑in‑law and former husband of Khloé Kardashian, while Khloé is the former sister‑in‑law and former wife of Lamar. Their connection is defined by these legal family ties, by co‑parenting responsibilities when relevant, and by ongoing familial interactions.
Key milestones in their relationship
Their connection is best understood through a small set of legal and family milestones, including marriages, children, and public appearances that shaped how they are linked.
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Khloé Kardashian marries Kris Humphries | Makes Lamar Odom the brother‑in‑law of Khloé; establishes family connection through Kris, who is Lamar’s younger brother. |
| 2011 | Khloé and Kris Humphries divorce (finalized 2013) | Relationship shifts from in‑laws to potential for closer personal bond; custody arrangements remain for family events. |
| December 2013 | Lamar Odom marries Khloé Kardashian | They become husband and wife; Lamar becomes father figure to Khloé’s daughter True, and Khloé becomes step‑mother to Lamar’s children. |
| 2015 | Lamar’s public health crisis and divorce filing | Illness and hospitalizations prompt public concern; divorce process begins while Lamar is still hospitalized, adding legal and personal complexity. |
| 2016 | Khloé and Lamar finalize divorce | Legal marriage ends; they remain connected through family ties and ongoing relationships with shared children. |
| Post‑2016 | Co‑parenting, public support, and reconciliation attempts | Both have spoken about continued respect, boundary setting, and the importance of family; they appear together on reality TV and at family events periodically. |
Legal relationship and family structure
Legally, Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian were married from December 2013 to 2016. During that period, Khloé became a stepparent to Lamar’s children from prior relationships, while Lamar played a significant role in True’s life as her mother’s husband. After divorce, their relationship centers on family events, co‑parenting logistics when relevant, and maintaining a cooperative, respectful dynamic. They are each other’s former spouse and the sibling of each other’s former spouse, which means ongoing interactions at family gatherings are both legally clear and socially nuanced.
Public narrative, reconciliation, and privacy
Media coverage of Lamar and Khloé has often framed their bond as complicated, marked by infidelity allegations, Lamar’s 2015 health emergency, and Khloé’s highly public relationship with Tristan Thompson. Throughout these challenges, both have publicly stated a commitment to family first, and they have appeared together on Keeping Up with the Kardashians to model reconciliation for their children. Their journey illustrates how blended family dynamics, fame, and personal setbacks intersect, and how boundaries, communication, and mutual respect can allow connections to evolve over time.
Frequently asked questions
- Are Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian still married? No. They were married from December 2013 to 2016 and are now divorced.
- Do they share children? Not directly. They share a stepchild relationship during the marriage (True, Khloé’s daughter), and Lamar’s children from prior relationships are part of extended family dynamics.
- How do they interact now? They maintain a familial, respectful relationship, often seen at family gatherings and on reality TV, focusing on co‑parenting when relevant and supporting each other’s milestones.
- What role does Kris Humphries play? Kris was married to Khloé before Lamar, linking the families; he remains part of the broader family network but is not romantically involved with either Lamar or Khloé.
Wrap-up
In summary, Lamar Odom and Khloé Kardashian are connected through marriage, shared family events, and co‑parenting responsibilities. Their relationship has evolved from brother‑in‑law and spouse to divorced partners who continue to engage as family. Understanding their connection requires acknowledging legal milestones, blended family complexities, and the public narrative around their personal lives, all while recognizing the enduring familial ties that shape their ongoing interactions.