Kim Kardashian Returns to Paris to Face Her Past
Nearly ten years after a terrifying night that changed her life, Kim Kardashian is heading back to Paris—not for fashion week, but for the courtroom.
The reality star and entrepreneur is expected to take the stand on Tuesday in connection with the 2016 robbery that saw masked men break into her private suite, hold her at gunpoint, and steal nearly $10 million worth of jewelry.
Her testimony marks a major moment in the ongoing trial of ten individuals accused of pulling off what many have called “the robbery of the century.” Since proceedings began in late April, interest in the case has soared. Over 500 journalists have been accredited to cover the trial, and the courthouse on the Ile de la Cité is bracing for a media frenzy—and likely, a sea of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of Kardashian herself.
Her attorneys say she’s ready. “Kim is determined to appear in person,” said her legal team last week. “She’ll approach this with strength and grace.”
Kardashian is scheduled to speak at 2:00 p.m. local time and may give a statement afterward.
The night in question—October 2, 2016—was meant to be just another stop on her global schedule. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. While staying at a discreet luxury residence in central Paris, Kardashian was cornered by armed intruders, tied up, gagged, and left physically unharmed but deeply shaken.
Among the stolen items was a diamond ring gifted to her by her then-husband, Kanye West, valued at over €3 million. It was the most significant theft from a private individual in France in two decades.
The group now on trial is mostly made up of men well into their 60s and 70s, some of whom have been tied to earlier criminal activity. They go by nicknames that sound like they were lifted from old crime thrillers—“Old Omar,” “Blue Eyes,” and others.
Lead investigator Michel Malecot called them “quite a team,” but noted they made errors—like leaving DNA behind—that eventually unraveled the plot.
One of the defendants, Aomar Ait Khedache, has confessed to tying Kardashian up but denies being the ringleader. Another, Yunice Abbas, even wrote a book detailing his version of events, including a bizarre moment when his getaway bike flipped, spilling stolen jewels onto the street.
The group’s alleged tip-off came from a surprising source: the brother of Kardashian’s Paris driver. According to investigators, he alerted the gang that Kim had arrived in the city. His defense? Kardashian’s millions of followers already knew where she was.
In fact, that night might’ve turned out very differently. She reportedly considered going out clubbing with her sister, Kourtney, before choosing to stay in. Her longtime driver had been working for over 21 hours straight and had arranged for a colleague to take over—who, along with a bodyguard, rushed back to the hotel when Kardashian’s call for help went unanswered.
When her bodyguard finally reached her, the scene was heartbreaking. “She was crying, shaking. I asked what happened. She told me she’d been robbed,” he told the court.
Today, Kardashian is said to be deeply thankful to French authorities for their handling of the investigation, which she believes has been thorough and respectful.
Though some once labeled her as simply “famous for being famous,” Kardashian has spent the past two decades reshaping her public image. From starring in hit reality shows to running beauty and fashion empires—and now, pursuing law—she’s become one of the most followed and influential women in the world.
The trial is expected to wrap up by May 23. Until then, all eyes remain on Paris—and on Kim.
