Cosmetics mogul Kylie Jenner has addressed the long-running backlash over being named a self-made billionaire in a cover story for Who What Wear released Thursday.
The 29-year-old reality star appeared in a sultry cover shoot for the publication, which featured her in racy outfits, while opening up about her financial status, motherhood and personal growth.
Jenner, who also recently addressed pregnancy rumors, directly tackled the controversy surrounding her 2018 title as the youngest-ever self-made billionaire.
Addressing the Self-Made Billionaire Backlash
The criticism began in 2019 when Forbes dubbed Jenner the youngest-ever self-made billionaire after she sold a 51 percent stake in her brand, Kylie Cosmetics, to beauty company Coty Inc for $600 million.
At 21 years old, Jenner unseated Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, now 42, who reached his first billion at age 23 in 2008.
The self-made label sparked immediate public pushback, with critics noting that Jenner was raised in a wealthy family alongside several multimillionaire relatives.
Addressing the firestorm directly in her cover interview, Jenner defended the technical accuracy of the title while acknowledging her family background.
"None of the money I've ever made is inherited, so it's technically true but people just feel like the privilege I've had was a major stepping stone," Jenner said.
Forbes has since updated its reporting on her wealth, estimating her actual net worth at approximately $670 million.
Kylie Cosmetics was founded by Jenner in 2015, initially launching with her popular lip kits before expanding into a global beauty brand.
Motherhood and Pausing Family Growth
Beyond her business empire, the mom of two spoke candidly about young motherhood and her decision to halt expanding her family during her twenties.
Jenner shares two children with her amicable ex-partner, rapper Travis Scott: an eight-year-old daughter named Stormi and a four-year-old son named Aire.
Reflecting on her early twenties, Jenner explained how early motherhood and mental health struggles impacted her perspective.
"I made a promise to myself at 25 that I was not going to have any more children - right now - and really just enjoy the last half of my 20s because the first half was like, 'You're pregnant,' and then it's the year of recovery, and, you know, my mental state, my postpartum depression, and all those things," she said.
"It felt like I lost some of those young years of my life," Jenner added.
Stepping Back From an Enormous Life
Now in the final year of her twenties, Jenner will celebrate her 30th birthday in August of next year and expressed a desire to evolve further.
The entrepreneur, who is currently the girlfriend of actor Timothee Chalamet, was asked what previous priorities she is ready to leave behind.
"I think having an enormous life," Jenner replied, sharing how her perspective on fame and lifestyle has shifted over time.
"I changed my mind about that. When I was younger, I got really excited, and I got the craziest house I could in Beverly Hills, and I just kind of went for it," she said.
"I've realized that my life got too big, and I said, 'Yeah, never mind.' I think I lost control of my life a little bit for a while there," she recalled.
Beverly Hills, located in Los Angeles County, California, is known globally for its high-end shopping districts and luxury celebrity estates.
