After months of rumours that their relationship is on the rocks, speculation has heated up this week that one of the world’s most famous and richest couples, Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West, may be headed for divorce.
With a combined net worth of $2.1 billion, there’s plenty of wealth to haggle over, but how much will really be in play if they split?
Though the Kardashians are known for drama, dividing the wealth may be surprisingly easy.
The couple likely has a prenup, given the money at stake and considering it’s Kardashian West’s third marriage.
Plus their biggest assets are independently owned and operated businesses, and the pair have had separate income streams since their 2014 nuptials.
Things get more complicated when it comes to their shared real estate and toys including their Calabasas mansion, with an estimated $30,000 bathroom sink though those makeups less than 5% of their collective assets.
A source close to the pair told Forbes no final decision has been made about divorce after Page Six reported Tuesday that it is imminent, but acknowledged that the couple has been living separately Kardashian West in Calabasas, California with the kids and West in Wyoming—and that they have been in therapy and discussing a possible split off and on for the past year.
Here’s a look at what each member of the Kardashian-West union would likely walk away with, should they part ways—and which assets they might fight over:
Kanye West: $1.26 billion
West is the richest of the pair, but much of his net worth is tied up in his illiquid apparel company.
Yeezy: $1.26 billion
The crown jewel of his fortune, West owns 100% of his shoe brand, which is known for its chunky sneakers that cost upwards of $200 a pair.
The company’s value is bound to Adidas, which manufactures, markets and distributes the shoes.
In a model similar to a royalty stream, West collects about 11% off Yeezy’s annual revenue, which was about $1.3 billion in 2019.
Using a conservative multiple, Forbes estimated in April 2020 that the brand is worth $1.26 billion
Kim Kardashian West: $750 million
Kardashian West might have less than her husband, but her fortune is much more liquid and less dependent on the trendiness of her brand and the whims of consumers.
KKW Beauty: $500 million
Similar to West, the bulk of Kardashian’s fortune sits in a brand with her name on it. Forbes estimated in October that West’s 72% stake in her cosmetics company KKW Beauty is worth about $500 million.
Cash and other investments: $250 million
Kardashian earned millions from 13 years of starring on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, her mobile app Kim Kardashian: Hollywood and various modelling and endorsement gigs. But her biggest payday came when she sold 20% of KKW Beauty to cosmetics giant Coty for $200 million in cash last year.
What that leaves: $70 million
The pair owns a number of homes—and have a number of mortgages—together, including a Calabasas mansion in Los Angeles County, Miami condo and two ranches in Wyoming.
According to documents West sent Forbes last year, there’s also $5 million in art, nearly $4 million in vehicles, $3.2 million in jewellery and even $300,000 worth of livestock that could be co-owned by the couple.
Who gets what will be dependent on the terms of their prenup (if indeed they have one) and whatever settlement their lawyers can negotiate.
What we can say with certainty: Neither party would walk away wanting.
