Years after a traumatic armed robbery in Paris, Kim Kardashian returned to the city this week to testify in the high-profile trial surrounding the 2016 attack that forever changed her life.
Appearing defiant and composed, Kardashian delivered emotional and chilling testimony in a Paris courtroom on Tuesday. The reality star and entrepreneur recounted the night masked gunmen tied her up, held her at gunpoint, and stole over $6 million worth of jewelry—an experience that left deep psychological scars and forced her to rethink her sense of safety.
Here’s what Kardashian revealed on the stand—and what lies ahead in the trial.
A Night That Changed Everything
Kardashian recalled she was just starting to drift off to sleep in her Paris hotel room in the early morning hours when she heard loud footsteps on the stairs. Thinking it was her sister Kourtney returning from a night out, she called out: “Hello? Hello? Who is it?”
Moments later, two masked men burst in, dragging the hotel concierge in handcuffs. Dressed as police officers, the men ordered her to the bed.
“I thought it was some sort of terrorist attack,” Kardashian told the court.
Panicked, she grabbed her phone but froze. “I didn’t know what 911 was in France.” She attempted to call her sister and her bodyguard, but one of the men seized her phone and bound her hands. A gun was pressed against her back.
“I have babies,” she recalled pleading with them. “They can take everything. I just have to make it home.”
As her robe fell open—she was naked underneath—one of the men pulled her toward him. “I was certain that was the moment he was going to rape me,” Kardashian said.
Instead, one of the attackers told her in English that she would be okay if she stayed quiet. He taped her mouth shut and moved her to the bathroom.
Kardashian eventually freed her hands by rubbing the tape against the sink. She made her way downstairs—still bound at the ankles—and found her friend and stylist Simone Harouche. Afraid the men might return, they climbed out onto the balcony and hid in the bushes. From there, Kardashian called her mother.
The thieves had taken a diamond ring she’d worn to a Givenchy fashion show that night, along with other valuable pieces—including a watch gifted to her by her late father when she graduated high school.
“It wasn’t just jewelry. It was so many memories,” she said.
A Life Forever Changed
Authorities believe the attackers used Kardashian’s digital footprint—social media posts, timestamps, and geotags—to track her movements. Combined with old-fashioned criminal tactics, it made her an easy target.
Since the attack, Kardashian said she has lived in a state of heightened fear.
“This experience really changed everything for us,” she testified. “I started to get this phobia of going out.”
She no longer stores jewelry at home and travels with as many as six security guards. She also avoids posting on social media in real time unless she’s at a public event.
“I can’t even sleep at night otherwise,” she admitted.
She also revealed that her Los Angeles home was burglarized shortly after the Paris robbery—an incident she believes was a copycat crime.
A Letter of Regret—and Forgiveness
In a poignant moment during the proceedings, the judge read aloud a letter from one of the accused men, who was too ill to appear in court. In it, he expressed remorse after seeing Kardashian’s emotional account on television.
Kardashian was visibly moved. “I’m obviously emotional,” she said. “I do appreciate the letter, for sure. I forgive you for what had taken place. But it doesn’t change the emotion, the trauma, and the way my life is forever changed.”
Studying to become a lawyer, Kardashian noted that she regularly visits prisons. “I’ve always believed in second chances,” she said.
Defiance in Diamonds
Kardashian made a powerful statement through fashion, appearing in court wearing a $1.5 million diamond necklace by Samer Halimeh New York. A press release for the necklace was issued while she was on the stand—a stark reminder that even amid trauma, image and influence remain deeply intertwined in her world.
The choice of jewelry was seen as a symbol of reclaiming power and control—of not allowing fear or memory to dictate her identity.
Kardashian described Paris as a city that once brought her peace. She recalled late-night walks, window shopping, and sipping hot chocolate. “It always felt really safe,” she said. “It was always a magical place.”
What’s Next in the Trial
Twelve suspects were originally charged in connection to the robbery. One has since died, and another was excused due to illness. Dubbed les papys braqueurs (“the grandpa robbers”) by French media, the defendants—many older men—are anything but harmless, prosecutors argue.
They face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and gang association. If convicted, some could face life in prison.
For Kardashian, her testimony was about more than just justice. “This is my closure,” she said. “This is me putting this, hopefully, to rest.”
The trial is expected to conclude on May 23.
Appearing defiant and composed, Kardashian delivered emotional and chilling testimony in a Paris courtroom on Tuesday. The reality star and entrepreneur recounted the night masked gunmen tied her up, held her at gunpoint, and stole over $6 million worth of jewelry—an experience that left deep psychological scars and forced her to rethink her sense of safety.
Here’s what Kardashian revealed on the stand—and what lies ahead in the trial.
A Night That Changed Everything
Kardashian recalled she was just starting to drift off to sleep in her Paris hotel room in the early morning hours when she heard loud footsteps on the stairs. Thinking it was her sister Kourtney returning from a night out, she called out: “Hello? Hello? Who is it?”Moments later, two masked men burst in, dragging the hotel concierge in handcuffs. Dressed as police officers, the men ordered her to the bed.
“I thought it was some sort of terrorist attack,” Kardashian told the court.
Panicked, she grabbed her phone but froze. “I didn’t know what 911 was in France.” She attempted to call her sister and her bodyguard, but one of the men seized her phone and bound her hands. A gun was pressed against her back.
“I have babies,” she recalled pleading with them. “They can take everything. I just have to make it home.”
As her robe fell open—she was naked underneath—one of the men pulled her toward him. “I was certain that was the moment he was going to rape me,” Kardashian said.
Instead, one of the attackers told her in English that she would be okay if she stayed quiet. He taped her mouth shut and moved her to the bathroom.
Kardashian eventually freed her hands by rubbing the tape against the sink. She made her way downstairs—still bound at the ankles—and found her friend and stylist Simone Harouche. Afraid the men might return, they climbed out onto the balcony and hid in the bushes. From there, Kardashian called her mother.
The thieves had taken a diamond ring she’d worn to a Givenchy fashion show that night, along with other valuable pieces—including a watch gifted to her by her late father when she graduated high school.
“It wasn’t just jewelry. It was so many memories,” she said.
A Life Forever Changed
Authorities believe the attackers used Kardashian’s digital footprint—social media posts, timestamps, and geotags—to track her movements. Combined with old-fashioned criminal tactics, it made her an easy target.Since the attack, Kardashian said she has lived in a state of heightened fear.
“This experience really changed everything for us,” she testified. “I started to get this phobia of going out.”
She no longer stores jewelry at home and travels with as many as six security guards. She also avoids posting on social media in real time unless she’s at a public event.
“I can’t even sleep at night otherwise,” she admitted.
She also revealed that her Los Angeles home was burglarized shortly after the Paris robbery—an incident she believes was a copycat crime.
A Letter of Regret—and Forgiveness
In a poignant moment during the proceedings, the judge read aloud a letter from one of the accused men, who was too ill to appear in court. In it, he expressed remorse after seeing Kardashian’s emotional account on television.Kardashian was visibly moved. “I’m obviously emotional,” she said. “I do appreciate the letter, for sure. I forgive you for what had taken place. But it doesn’t change the emotion, the trauma, and the way my life is forever changed.”
Studying to become a lawyer, Kardashian noted that she regularly visits prisons. “I’ve always believed in second chances,” she said.
Defiance in Diamonds
Kardashian made a powerful statement through fashion, appearing in court wearing a $1.5 million diamond necklace by Samer Halimeh New York. A press release for the necklace was issued while she was on the stand—a stark reminder that even amid trauma, image and influence remain deeply intertwined in her world.The choice of jewelry was seen as a symbol of reclaiming power and control—of not allowing fear or memory to dictate her identity.
Kardashian described Paris as a city that once brought her peace. She recalled late-night walks, window shopping, and sipping hot chocolate. “It always felt really safe,” she said. “It was always a magical place.”
What’s Next in the Trial
Twelve suspects were originally charged in connection to the robbery. One has since died, and another was excused due to illness. Dubbed les papys braqueurs (“the grandpa robbers”) by French media, the defendants—many older men—are anything but harmless, prosecutors argue.They face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and gang association. If convicted, some could face life in prison.
For Kardashian, her testimony was about more than just justice. “This is my closure,” she said. “This is me putting this, hopefully, to rest.”
The trial is expected to conclude on May 23.
