In a scene straight from a high-stakes legal drama, Kim Kardashian took the stand this week in a Paris courtroom, recounting the terrifying night she was robbed at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Facing ten defendants known as the “grandpa robbers” by French media, Kardashian provided chilling details of the violent robbery that changed her life forever.
The case, unfolding in one of France’s most high-profile trials in recent decades, is considered among the most significant individual heists in the country’s recent history. With €10 million worth of jewelry stolen, including her famed engagement ring, the robbery not only made international headlines but also left an indelible mark on Kardashian’s psyche and public life.
On the early morning of October 3, 2016, Kim Kardashian was staying at the ultra-private Hôtel de Pourtalès in Paris. She had come to the French capital for Fashion Week, a regular stop in her glamorous calendar. But that night, glamour turned to horror.
Armed men, disguised as police officers, broke into her private residence, subdued the concierge, and made their way to Kardashian’s suite. What followed was a chilling ordeal that Kardashian described in graphic, emotional testimony.
“I was certain he was going to rape me,” Kardashian told the court, referring to one of the masked robbers who dragged her across the bed. She had fallen asleep naked, and her robe opened during the assault, leaving her feeling extremely violated.
“I absolutely did think I was going to die,” she added. “I said a prayer for my family, and for my sister who I thought might find me. I just prayed they would be okay after seeing what they’d find.”
Kim Kardashian Opens Up About the Long-Term Trauma
Kardashian’s testimony laid bare the psychological impact the robbery has had on her life. She described the incident as a “violent act” that forced her to reevaluate her lifestyle completely.
Since the robbery, she no longer keeps valuable jewelry at home and has significantly increased her personal security. She admitted to feeling paranoid about sharing her location in real-time on social media — something she now avoids.