Kim Kardashian gives tearful testimony in Paris robbery trial

Kim Kardashian’s Paris Trial Testimony: A Haunting Recount

On May 13, 2025, Kim Kardashian took the stand in a Paris courtroom to confront the “grandpa robbers,” a group of 10 suspects accused of stealing $9 million in jewelry during a 2016 armed robbery at the Hôtel de Pourtalès. The reality star, now 44, delivered emotional testimony, revealing she “absolutely thought I was going to die” as masked men, disguised as police officers, bound her with zip ties and held a gun to her head. This high-profile trial, one of France’s most audacious celebrity heists, has reignited public interest in Kardashian’s ordeal. In addition to the Paris robbery’s lasting impact on her multifaceted career.

Kim Kardashian: From Reality Star to Global Icon

Kimberly Noel Kardashian, born October 21, 1980, is a media personality, businesswoman, and socialite whose influence spans entertainment and entrepreneurship. She first gained attention as Paris Hilton’s stylist and friend, but her 2007 sex tape with Ray J catapulted her to fame. That same year, Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered on E!, running until 2021 and spawning spin-offs like Kourtney and Kim Take New York and Hulu’s The Kardashians (2022–present). Her business ventures include the now-closed Dash boutique, KKW Beauty, KKW Fragrance, and Skims, a shapewear brand valued at $4 billion in 2023. Her skincare line, Sknn by Kim, launched in 2022.

Kardashian’s cultural impact is undeniable. Named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2015 and among Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in 2023, she boasts 350 million Instagram followers, making her the seventh-most-followed individual. Her ventures, from the 2014 game Kim Kardashian: Hollywood to her 2015 book Selfish, reflect her knack for monetizing fame. Yet, her 2016 Paris robbery shifted her public narrative, highlighting vulnerability beneath her polished persona, a story fans seek to understand through her recent testimony.

The 2016 Paris Robbery: A Night of Terror

On October 2, 2016, during Paris Fashion Week, Kardashian was alone in her luxury suite at the Hôtel de Pourtalès, a discreet “no address” residence favored by celebrities. At around 3 a.m., five men, dressed as police officers and wearing ski masks, overpowered the concierge, Abderrahmane Ouatiki, and forced him to lead them to her room. Kardashian testified that she heard footsteps and called out, but no one answered. Two men entered, one demanding her $4 million diamond engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West in accented English. They bound her wrists and legs with zip ties, taped her mouth and eyes, and placed her in the bathtub.

“I was certain that was the moment he was going to rape me,” Kardashian told the court, her voice quivering. “I thought about my sister Kourtney, that she’d find me shot dead.” The robbers fled with $9–10 million in jewelry, including the ring, a Rolex, and Cartier bracelets, escaping on bicycles. Kardashian freed herself and sought help from her friend Simone Harouche, who was downstairs. The ordeal, which lasted under 10 minutes, left her unharmed physically but deeply traumatized, a focal point for readers seeking details of the Paris robbery.

Grandpa Robbers: The Unlikely Culprits

The suspects, dubbed “grandpa robbers” by French media due to their ages (mostly in their 60s and 70s), include Yunice Abbas, 71, and Aomar Aït Khedache, 69, both of whom admitted involvement. Abbas, who wrote I Kidnapped Kim Kardashian in 2021, acted as a lookout, while Khedache, nicknamed “Old Omar,” was among those who entered her room. Eight of the 10 defendants deny the charges, which include armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Two others originally charged are absent—one died, and another, Pierre Bouianere, 80, faces a separate trial due to health issues.

The robbers’ profiles fascinate observers. Many have criminal histories, including bank robberies, and targeted Kardashian’s jewelry, not knowing her identity. Abbas claimed they were tipped off about her unprotected 18.88-carat diamond, a detail possibly gleaned from her social media posts. The heist’s audacity, coupled with their age, has sparked sympathy among some, who view it as a crime for profit, not harm. This dynamic intrigues readers researching the “grandpa robbers.”

Emotional Testimony: Reliving the Trauma

Kardashian’s four-and-a-half-hour testimony on May 13, 2025, at the Palais de Justice was a raw recounting of fear and survival. Accompanied by her mother, Kris Jenner, and dressed in a black suit, she faced the defendants, some seated just feet away. She described the robbers’ strength, countering their “grandpa” nickname: “They were younger and stronger then.” Her friend Simone Harouche testified earlier, recalling Kardashian’s pleas—“I have babies, I need to live!”—and her own fear that Kardashian had been violated. Harouche, now an interior designer, said the incident led her to therapy for post-traumatic stress.

Kardashian’s forgiveness of Abbas, who expressed regret, was a poignant moment. “I forgive you,” she told him, acknowledging his apology while noting the complexity of regret amidst loyalty to co-defendants. Her testimony also addressed media speculation, dismissing hoax claims and emphasizing the robbery’s violence. This emotional narrative resonates with users seeking insight into her courtroom experience.

Armed Robbery’s Lasting Impact

The Paris robbery reshaped Kardashian’s life. She took a social media hiatus, revamped her security, and became less materialistic, as she noted on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The incident, which halted filming temporarily, prompted her to hire a new security team and limit real-time posts. It also fueled her advocacy for criminal justice reform, including lobbying for clemency and pursuing a law apprenticeship with Cut50 since 2019. Her work, like securing a commutation for a prisoner in 2018, reflects a deeper purpose, appealing to fans interested in her evolution.

Public reaction was mixed. Initial skepticism, with some accusing her of staging the heist, led to lawsuits against outlets like MediaTakeout.com. A video showing her post-robbery without visible injuries fueled doubts, but police dismissed hoax theories, citing her distress. DNA evidence and CCTV footage led to 17 arrests in January 2017, narrowed to 12 by 2020, and now 10 in trial. The delay, due to France’s judicial system and one defendant’s death, underscores the case’s complexity, a detail users seek to understand.

What’s Next for Kim Kardashian and the Trial?

The trial, running through May 23, 2025, is a media spectacle, with 400 journalists vying for 40 courtroom seats. A verdict is expected by month’s end. Five defendants face life imprisonment for armed robbery and kidnapping, while others are charged with complicity or weapons violations. Kardashian’s testimony, a one-time event, was her chance to confront her trauma publicly. She left the courthouse without speaking to fans, her focus on justice evident.

Kardashian’s career thrives—she stars in American Horror Story (2023–2024) and grows Skims. Her Paris experience may inform future advocacy or projects, as fans speculate. For now, her testimony stands as a testament to resilience. In addition to displaying her strength, even years later.

A Full Circle Moment

Kim Kardashian’s Paris trial testimony is more than a celebrity courtroom drama—it’s a story of survival and accountability. Her vivid recounting of the 2016 armed robbery, forgiveness of a remorseful robber, and reflections on its impact offer a humanizing glimpse into a global icon. Furthermore, it highlights the dangers that come with celebrity life. Especially high profile celebrities that are well known around the world, like Kim Kardashian.