Kanye West biography, net worth, divorce, new girlfriend, age, kids, height 2025

Biography of Kanye West

Kanye West is a unique phenomenon not only in American but also in world culture. He's a talented musician, popular rapper, successful businessman, provocateur, and polarizing figure. Beyonce, Madonna, Janet Jackson and other international stars sing his songs. Political figures consider it an honor to shake his hand and invite him to family celebrations. Kanye was married to one of the world's most famous and influential women. He even talks about his plans to become the president. Net worth: $1.8 billion.

His Childhood and Youth

Kanye Omari West was born in an educated African American family in Atlanta. His father, Ray West, worked as a photojournalist in a local newspaper. His mother, Donda West, was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University.

When Kanye was three, his parents divorced. He and his mother moved to Chicago. There, his mother was the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University. Six years later, she was sent to China on an exchange program. Ten-year-old Kanye had to quickly learn Chinese since he was the only foreigner in class. Kanye coped with this difficult task well. Within months, he was communicating fluently with his classmates and teachers.

From early childhood, the future rapper showed extraordinary abilities, excellent memory, and advanced thinking skills. At the age of 5, he composed his first poem. In the third grade, he became interested in music and painting. At the same time, he began rapping and became interested in the life of the local hip-hop community.

When Kanye got his first computer, he started making his music. At the age of 13, the teenager recorded his first track Green Eggs and Ham in a semi-professional studio. It was the first step towards his star career. But international recognition was still far off, and the young man focused on his studies while preparing for college.

After graduating from Polaris High School with straight A's and B's, Kanye studied English at Chicago State University. Soon, the young man realized that music was fascinating him more than English linguistics. He neglected his studies, despite his mother's protests.

His Music Career

The musician started out writing songs for other artists before moving into producing. Beyoncé, Talib Kweli, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, and countless other popular artists recorded his songs. Eventually, he started considering his own solo career since he had plenty of material.

Ironically, the successful composer wasn't taken seriously as a rap artist for years. Even though he kept trying to record a solo album. The main issue was his middle-class background, solid education, and upbringing in an academic family. Rappers typically came from tough neighborhoods, having faced real struggles they wanted to share with the world. Producers worried that Kanye's music wouldn't feel authentic and wouldn't connect with audiences.

At the beginning of Kanye's career, almost nobody believed in him

Everything changed after a devastating car crash that nearly killed him. In 2003, Kanye West was in a car accident, which seriously injured his jaw. Doctors wired his jaw shut with a special splint. The musician spent two weeks in the hospital. The accident inspired Kanye to write "Through the Wire," which became the cornerstone of his debut album The College Dropout.

The album immediately hit #2 on the Billboard 200, selling half a million copies in its first week. From that point on, every Kanye album became an instant hit and bestseller. Critics praised his innovative experiments and surprising blend of styles and genres.

Kanye West was inspired by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and other legends of world music. Recognition as one of the greatest artists of the 21st century was incredibly meaningful to him. He won a total of 21 Grammy Awards. He became one of the best-selling musicians, with his albums landing on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Kanye was listed in a number of Forbes annual lists of the richest and most famous people. Time also named him twice to their annual Time 100 list of the world's most influential people.

Kanye West won a total of 21 Grammy Awards

Beyond music, Kanye has made his mark as a fashion designer. He has worked with such world brands as Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas. Since 2012, he's been creating clothes and shoes under his YEEZY brand. Kanye also owns the creative agency DONDA (named after his late mother) and the record label GOOD Music.

Kanye has donated millions to charity and founded a fund to fight illiteracy. He often helps people affected by wars, epidemics, and natural disasters.

Personal Life of Kanye West

Kanye has always been drawn to stunning, high-profile women. Since his youth, he has chosen his girlfriends with a model appearance. In 2002, he began dating fashion designer Alexis Phifer. The couple even got engaged, but after a year and a half, they called it off.

From 2008 until 2010, Kanye West had a relationship with model Amber Rose. In 2012, he began dating Kim Kardashian, a socialite and star of the popular reality show. They'd known each other for about five years but kept things platonic, never revealing their romantic feelings. Less than a year later, Kanye proposed to Kim surrounded by her family and closest friends. Four months before the proposal, the couple welcomed daughter North (born in 2013). They had a romantic wedding in May 2014, in Florence.

In late 2015, the couple welcomed their second child, son Saint. In January 2018, the surrogate mother gave birth to Kanye and Kim's daughter Chi (Chicago). In 2019, the couple expected their fourth child via another surrogate.

In January 2019, Kanye West again shocked the American public, saying that he was going to run for the president of the USA in 2024. In 2020, he dropped out of the presidential race, jumped back in, and made several controversial statements, which, according to his wife Kim Kardashian, are directly related to Kanye's bipolar disorder.

The couple was on the verge of divorce. The breaking point came after Kim's traumatic Paris robbery, which left her with severe anxiety. Kim's mental health struggles took a toll on the entire family, creating an impossible situation. Kanye was prescribed medication and even hospitalized. In February 2021, Kim announced the divorce.

The former couple successfully worked out property division and custody arrangements. After the divorce, Kanye dated Julia Fox. Though the relationship lasted just a month, it significantly boosted Julia's profile.

Controversies

The rapper has been at the center of numerous controversies stemming from both his professional work and his tendency to voice opinions that challenge conventional thinking and shock audiences.

Kanye has faced multiple copyright infringement lawsuits over his sampling and creative choices. He repeatedly paid fines. He's been sentenced to community service for altercations with paparazzi who invaded his privacy. His controversial comments about Presidents Bush and Obama generated significant backlash. Many criticized him for his vocal support of Donald Trump.

Kanye West says about his desire to become the president

In January 2022, Kanye was suspected of beating up a fan who wanted to ask for an autograph at the Soho Warehouse club in Los Angeles.

Kanye West Now

In June 2022, Kanye made a splash at the BET Awards. Known for his love of eccentric looks, he came in a black mask, completely hiding his face, and dark glasses.

Kanye West: latest news and articles

Kanye West is convinced that he is not invited to major concerts because of Taylor Swift

Why is rapper Kanye West not invited to concerts because of Taylor Swift?

10 Apr 2025

Theresa Young

Handsome West is also lucky. Many men dream of having a wife like Kim Kardashian. And in general he is so kind to her and to their children.

2021-04-28 12:13:19
Nicholas Jonathan Russell

As it turns out, my favorite easy sneakers are from Kanye West himself. Interestingly, I didn`t know he was a designer.

2021-04-21 08:27:21
Ramon Lee

Well done Kanye, from childhood he was drawn to music. And look at what this has done :) We must encourage our children in their endeavors.

2021-03-25 16:54:46
Christopher Cobb

Really cool dude Kanye West. Music rocks him specifically. He`s a hundred percent talent.

2021-03-12 14:22:42
Kay Cobb

My beloved Kanye! His songs are hits! I love listening everywhere, at home and in the car, and indeed everywhere. Very incendiary tracks :))

2021-01-31 23:08:37

Photos: Kanye West