Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s relationship was once one of the most high-profile romances in the celebrity world, drawing attention from reality TV fans and sports enthusiasts alike.
The two met in August 2009 and quickly tied the knot just a month later in September of the same year.
Their whirlwind romance became a central storyline on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and later led to their own spinoff reality series, Khloé & Lamar, which aired for two seasons from 2011 to 2012.
Despite the public appearances of a happy marriage, cracks in their relationship started to form, many of which remained hidden from the public until later revelations.
Also Read: Inside Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s Divorce: What Really Led to Their Split
Khloé later admitted that she had no desire to do the Khloé & Lamar reality show but agreed because Lamar wanted it.
According to her, it became overwhelming, and she ultimately decided to cancel it. Behind the scenes, the couple struggled with significant personal issues that eventually contributed to the downfall of their marriage.
One of the early public signs of trouble was Lamar’s 2013 DUI arrest. Although he entered rehab, he checked out just a day later.
This incident exposed some of the darker issues in their relationship and Lamar’s personal struggles with addiction.
One of the most painful aspects of their marriage, which Khloé opened up about years later, was Lamar’s infidelity.
Khloé revealed that she had no suspicion of Lamar cheating during most of their marriage because he made her feel like she was his “princess” and the only one.
However, she found out about the infidelity right before the DUI incident, which was devastating. She later learned that he had been cheating on her for most of their marriage.
Lamar himself expressed deep regret about his cheating, admitting in a 2021 interview that his biggest mistake was deciding to cheat on Khloé. He wished he could turn back time and undo that decision.
In December 2013, Khloé officially filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. However, the divorce proceedings were delayed in 2015 when Lamar suffered a near-fatal overdose at a Nevada brothel.
He was found unconscious and placed on life support, suffering multiple strokes, kidney failure, and other severe health issues.
Also Read: Teyana Taylor’s Divorce Settlement: Secures Over $10 Million in Properties and Major Assets
During this critical time, Khloé put their divorce on hold and stayed by Lamar’s side, helping him recover. Lamar later referred to Khloé as his “angel,” crediting her with being there for him when he was at his lowest. He shared that her presence, spirit, and the memories she brought helped him during his recovery.
Despite all the turmoil, Khloé and Lamar finalized their divorce in December 2016. Khloé moved on and began an on-and-off relationship with NBA player Tristan Thompson, with whom she shares her daughter, True Thompson.
However, Tristan’s own cheating scandals would later mirror some of the pain Khloé endured during her marriage to Lamar.
Lamar, on the other hand, continued to publicly express regret and admiration for Khloé. He has often spoken about how he still misses her and wishes things had turned out differently.
During his time on Celebrity Big Brother season 3 in 2022, Lamar was vocal about still loving and missing Khloé, referring to her as his “one and only.”
In his 2023 documentary Lamar Odom: Sex, Drugs & Kardashians, he revisited their relationship, admitting that he was embarrassed by his behavior and infidelity during their marriage.
He described having multiple affairs while on the road and being so consumed by his drug addiction that it clouded his judgment and loyalty.
One shocking revelation from Lamar was that during one of his downward spirals, a woman found his phone and called Khloé, fearing for his life and telling her that he was suicidal.
This event led to him being taken for help that very night. Despite his destructive actions, Lamar acknowledged that Khloé never abandoned him. Instead, she was protective and caring, often shielding him from public scrutiny and standing by him even when things were dire behind closed doors.
Lamar also shared his feelings about Khloé’s later relationship with Tristan Thompson, admitting that it hurt him to see her experience betrayal again.
However, he respected that he no longer had a place in her life to protect her unless she asked for his help.
By March 2024, Lamar shared that if he ever saw Khloé again, he would tell her that he loves her, is grateful for their time together, and wishes her and her children the best.
He acknowledged that despite everything, it’s hard to forget someone you married, especially after such an intense relationship that began so quickly.
In the end, Khloé and Lamar’s relationship remains one of love, pain, regret, and deep respect.
While they have both moved on in different ways, Lamar continues to hold Khloé in high regard, reflecting on their relationship as a major part of his life that left an enduring impact.
Khloé, meanwhile, has focused on raising her daughter and building her business, though her romantic relationships continue to be a topic of public fascination.
