Nearly a decade after surviving one of the most shocking celebrity robberies in modern history, Kim Kardashian has returned to Paris—this time, not for fashion week, but to confront the men who stole not just millions in jewelry, but her sense of freedom.
The reality star and business mogul appeared at the Palais de Justice to testify against the assailants who robbed her at gunpoint in 2016. Reliving such a traumatic event before a packed courtroom required courage, and Kardashian’s choice of outfit reflected quiet defiance and inner strength. Dressed in a tailored black blazer, a slit maxi skirt, sleek slingback heels, and oversized Alaïa sunglasses, she exuded control. But it was her statement jewelry—stacked earrings and a bold chain necklace—that resonated most. It was as if she reclaimed the very symbol that had once made her a target.
By her side stood her mother, Kris Jenner, wearing a black-and-white plaid coat, dark slacks, and a maroon Hermès bag—present as both witness and shield. The courthouse was packed with over 500 journalists, all there to witness Kardashian recount the chilling details of that fateful night. According to the Associated Press, she told the court, “I absolutely did think I was going to die.” She recalled pleading with her attackers, saying, “I have babies,” to which one chillingly responded, she’d be fine if she stayed quiet.
The robbery occurred during Paris Fashion Week, where Kardashian had been staying at a private residence. A group of masked men, later dubbed the “grandpa robbers” due to their advanced age, had reportedly tracked her movements via Instagram. Once inside her room, they zip-tied her hands, gagged her, and made off with over $9 million in jewelry—making it one of the most audacious celebrity heists in French history.
Simone Harouche, Kardashian’s friend and former stylist, also took the stand. She had been sleeping downstairs during the break-in and testified to the terror that unfolded. “She told them, ‘Take everything. I need to live,’” Harouche recalled, emphasizing how the event irrevocably altered Kardashian’s life.
“She doesn’t go anywhere alone anymore. She lost her freedom”
Judge David De Pas questioned Harouche on whether Kardashian’s social media use had made her a target. Harouche’s response was swift and firm. “Just because a woman wears jewelry doesn’t make her a target,” she said.
“That’s like saying because a woman wears a short skirt, she deserves to be raped”
In a moment that brought tears to the courtroom, a letter written by one of the defendants, Aomar Ait Khedache, was read aloud. In it, he expressed remorse: “I want to come to you as a human being… I hope this letter helps you heal.” Kardashian, visibly emotional, responded,
“I forgive you… but it doesn’t change the trauma or the fact that my life has forever changed”
As the trial unfolds, Kardashian’s presence in court is more than a celebrity appearance—it’s a message to survivors everywhere. By showing up, speaking out, and standing tall, she’s rewriting the narrative: from victim to victor.
