Understanding Kim Kardashian Second Husband and the Story Behind Their Short Marriage
If you’re searching for Kim Kardashian second husband, you’re probably trying to understand the whirlwind marriage that happened long before her relationship with Kanye West—and even before she became one of the biggest names in entertainment. Kim Kardashian’s second husband was Kris Humphries, an NBA player whose brief but highly publicized marriage to her became one of the most talked-about pop-culture moments of the 2010s. Here’s everything you want to know about who he is, how they met, what went wrong, and how the experience shaped Kim’s life moving forward.
Who Is Kim Kardashian?
To understand the significance of her second marriage, you first need to know where Kim was in her life when it happened. Kim Kardashian was rising rapidly in fame during the early 2010s. Known for her reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, her business ventures, and her social media influence, she was becoming a defining figure in modern pop culture.
At the time she met Kris Humphries, Kim was already well-known, but she had not yet reached the level of global recognition she later achieved. The show was thriving, her brand was expanding, and her personal life was frequently the subject of public fascination. Her relationships were widely followed, and viewers of the show felt deeply invested in her romantic journey.
Who Was Kim Kardashian’s Second Husband?
Kim Kardashian’s second husband was Kris Humphries, a professional basketball player who spent most of his NBA career with the New Jersey (later Brooklyn) Nets. Born in Minnesota, Humphries was known for his athleticism, strong defensive play, and long tenure in the league.
Even though he wasn’t a celebrity on the Kardashian level, he had built a solid career in professional sports. However, his relationship with Kim would ultimately overshadow much of his basketball legacy in the eyes of the public.
How Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Met
Kim and Kris met in late 2010. Their connection began in the social media era, where introductions often happen casually. They were introduced through mutual friends and began dating soon afterward.
The chemistry was immediate—at least from the perspective of viewers watching on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Their dates were featured on the show, and the relationship became part of the storyline, allowing fans to follow every step of the romance.
Because Kim had already been married once before (to music producer Damon Thomas), her second relationship brought even more attention, especially as it accelerated toward engagement.
The Engagement That Captured Reality TV
Kris Humphries proposed to Kim Kardashian in May 2011, in a dramatic, rose-petal-covered scene that aired on the family’s reality show. The proposal included a stunning 20.5-carat engagement ring—one of the largest celebrity engagement rings at the time.
The moment was visually lavish and became instantly iconic in pop culture. Social media buzzed, tabloids exploded with coverage, and fans anticipated a royal-level wedding.
At that time, Kim expressed how deeply in love she felt, and their engagement seemed like the next big fairy-tale moment for the Kardashian empire.
The Lavish Wedding Seen Around the World
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries married on August 20, 2011, in an extravagant ceremony held in Montecito, California. The wedding was one of the most expensive in reality television history, costing millions of dollars and featuring an A-list guest list, couture gowns, and an event aesthetic that resembled a modern royal affair.
Millions of viewers later tuned in to the televised wedding special, making it one of the highest-rated episodes in reality TV.
But behind the scenes, the marriage was already showing signs of strain.
Why the Marriage Lasted Only 72 Days
The most memorable part of Kim Kardashian’s second marriage was not the wedding—it was how quickly the marriage ended. Just 72 days after tying the knot, Kim filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Fans were shocked. The media went into overdrive. Critics accused the couple of staging the marriage for publicity. Kim herself later admitted that she felt immense pressure leading up to the wedding and didn’t know how to step back once it became a televised global event.
Issues Behind the Scenes
Several factors contributed to the short-lived union:
- Personality differences: Kim and Kris seemed incompatible in temperament, lifestyle, and future goals.
- Career conflicts: Kim’s career was accelerating in entertainment and business, while Kris focused on basketball—two worlds that didn’t seamlessly merge.
- Living arrangements: Questions about where they would live, how they would manage schedules, and what their long-term plans were created tension.
- Public pressure: With the entire world watching, the relationship fell under extreme scrutiny.
Kim has openly admitted that she realized too late that the marriage wasn’t right for her.
The Lengthy Divorce Process
Even though the marriage lasted only 72 days, the divorce took nearly two years to finalize. Kris sought an annulment based on fraud, asserting that Kim married him for publicity. Kim denied the claim, stating that the relationship was real but simply not meant to last.
The legal dispute prolonged the situation and kept the breakup in the news. Eventually, the divorce was finalized in 2013.
How the Experience Affected Kim Kardashian
Kim has since expressed regret about how the marriage ended. Over the years, she has described Kris as a good person and admitted that she handled certain parts of the relationship poorly, especially the public aspects.
The marriage taught Kim several lessons:
- the importance of honesty with herself
- the pressure of performing relationships for television
- the drawbacks of rushing love
- the value of choosing partners aligned with her lifestyle
These insights shaped how she approached her later relationships, including her marriage to Kanye West.
Where Kris Humphries Is Today
Kris Humphries eventually stepped back from public discussion of the relationship but issued statements emphasizing that he wanted to be known for his basketball career rather than his marriage to Kim.
After retiring from the NBA, he entered the business world, investing in real estate and fast-casual restaurants. He has maintained a fairly private life, far from the spotlight that surrounded him during the Kardashian era.
Why People Still Search for Kim Kardashian’s Second Husband
Even years later, the story of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries fascinates people because:
- It was one of the biggest celebrity weddings of its time
- The 72-day divorce became a pop-culture landmark
- Their personalities were dramatically different
- It highlighted the challenges of mixing reality TV with real relationships
For many fans, the marriage serves as a reminder of how publicity, pressure, and timing can complicate even the most glamorous relationships.
Final Thought
You now know that Kim Kardashian’s second husband was Kris Humphries—the NBA player whose brief, high-profile marriage created one of the most unforgettable moments in celebrity history. Their relationship was intense, highly publicized, and ultimately short-lived, but it shaped Kim’s future and remains a major chapter in her personal journey.
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