Kris Jenner, the American media personality and mother of Kylie and Kendall Jenner, was born Kris Houghton on August 3, 1955. She married Robert Kardashian in 1978, briefly becoming Kris Kardashian, and kept that surname through their 1991 divorce before later marrying Caitlyn Jenner in 1991, taking the name Kris Jenner. By her own account, she resumed using Jenner socially after the 2011 divorce, and the name became her consistent public surname. The following breakdown clarifies her birth name, transitional married names, and the timeline of her public surname choices.
Birth Name and Early Identity
Kris Jenner was born Kris Houghton in San Diego, California. Houghton is her original, legal maiden name and appeared on early official documents and local records. Her birth name remained in use until marriage legally changed her surname. Public biographies and timelines of Jenner’s early life reference Houghton as her pre-marital identity.
First Marriage: Robert Kardashian
Transition to Kris Kardashian
In 1978, Kris Houghton married entertainment lawyer Robert Kardashian. Upon marriage, she took his surname, becoming Kris Kardashian. This name appeared on her children—Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian—as their legal mother during the marriage. The union lasted until 1991, ending in divorce and resulting in a legal reversion to her unmarried name at the time.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Name | Kris Houghton | Birth records, biographies |
| First Married Name | Kris Kardashian | Marriage records, legal documents |
| Notable Children (during marriage) | Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Rob Kardashian | Public records, family statements |
| Divorce Decree Year | 1991 | Court filings, news archives |
| Second Marriage and Surname | Kris Jenner (married Caitlyn Jenner, 1991) | Marriage records, public announcements |
Second Marriage: Caitlyn Jenner
Adoption of Kris Jenner
In 1991, Kris married Caitlyn Jenner (then Bruce Jenner), taking the surname Jenner. This marked the first consistent use of Kris Jenner publicly. Though the couple divorced in 2015, she continued to use Jenner professionally. By the 2000s and into her reality television prominence, Jenner was firmly established in the public sphere as Kris Jenner, with Jenner as her recognized surname.
Modern Usage and Public Persona
Today, the name Kris Jenner is synonymous with the Kardashian-Jenner media franchise. She is widely known as the mother of Kylie and Kendall Jenner, and her public branding consistently uses Jenner. The historical naming sequence—Houghton to Kardashian to Jenner—clarifies how her legal and public identities evolved. Jenner herself has referenced her maiden name in interviews when discussing family origins and name continuity.
Comparison of Key Names and Dates
| Name | Period | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Kris Houghton | 1955–1978 | Birth and early adulthood |
| Kris Kardashian | 1978–1991 | Marriage to Robert Kardashian |
| Kris Jenner | 1991–present | Marriage to Caitlyn Jenner and public career |