Kim Kardashian Was Never The Same After Her Divorce From Kanye West

For years, it seemed like Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Kim Kardashian were the reigning monarchs of pop culture. The pair married in 2014 and became Kimye. From the closet makeover to Ye legitimizing Kardashian as a fashion icon and making her into his muse, it's clear that the relationship was influential for her in a multitude of ways, and not just in terms of Kardashian's stunning Met Gala looks.

Ye and Kardashian announced their divorce in 2021, but Kardashian credits him with showing her how to be less of a people pleaser, and shared that this shaped her even after the couple split. "For so long, I did what made other people happy," Kardashian revealed to Vogue in 2022. "I think in the last two years I decided, I'm going to make myself happy. And that feels really good. And even if that created changes and caused my divorce, I think it's important to be honest with yourself about what really makes you happy. I've chosen myself. I think it's okay to choose you."

Curbing people-pleasing in your closest relationships can be tough to learn, but it's the kind of personal growth that pays enormous dividends. For Kardashian, choosing herself has meant setting more boundaries. It's also meant taking excellent care of her physical and mental health, and setting healthy limits on technology and social media — and she seems to be thriving.

Kim Kardashian made a January 2026 appearance on the Khloe in Wonderland podcast, where she shared that she's now been single for over a year, a record for the reality star-turned-business mogul. She chalks it up to being busy with her four kids and studying to pass the bar exam. "I haven't had time, and I'm ok with that," she explained. "I thought, 'You know what, I'm studying. I won't have time. When I'm done, I'll open myself up.'"

But while Kardashian might be open to finding love again, she's also not in a rush. Instead, it seems she's relishing her independent life — and in having unilateral control over the remote control. "I would say you get really comfortable the longer you're single," she explained during a 2025 episode of "The Kardashians." "You get really comfortable being single, and the thought of sharing your bed and your TV shows with someone else becomes less and less appealing cause you get so set in your ways. But it's ok to just, you know, close down a little bit and focus on just the things that I want in life." Taking the time to ensure you're really ready to open yourself up again is among our best tips for getting back into dating after a divorce.