In just 72 days, Kris Humphries’ life changed in ways he never imagined.
His whirlwind marriage to Kim Kardashian in 2011 became one of the most publicized celebrity unions, and splits, in pop culture history. More than a decade later, fans still revisit the short-lived romance, while Humphries has moved on to a much quieter, more private life beyond the spotlight.
The whirlwind romance
Humphries and Kardashian began dating in late 2010, and by May 2011, the NBA player proposed. That August, they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at a Montecito estate. The event, complete with Kardashian’s custom Vera Wang gown, was broadcast on the E! special Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event.
But behind the cameras, cracks were already forming. During a 2021 Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion, Kardashian revealed that her mother, Kris Jenner, even offered to help her leave before walking down the aisle. “I thought, ‘OK, we’re filming this for a TV show. If I leave, I’ll be known as the runaway bride forever,’” she recalled. “I think I just had cold feet.”
Just 10 weeks after the wedding, Kardashian filed for divorce, sparking a media firestorm.
Regrets and lessons learned
Looking back, Kardashian has admitted she didn’t handle the split well. “I fully broke up with him in the worst way,” she said during the reunion. “I was so nervous to end it that I just didn’t know how to deal. I learned so much from it.”
She later told Oprah Winfrey that the relationship ended largely because she and Humphries didn’t truly know each other. “I didn’t spend more than a full week with him before we got married,” she explained. Once they finally lived together, she realized “he was not the one.”
Their divorce, finalized in 2013, marked Kardashian’s second. She also returned Humphries’ massive engagement ring, which later sold at auction for $749,000.
Humphries’ side of the story
For Humphries, the intense media spotlight was overwhelming. In a 2019 Players’ Tribune essay announcing his retirement, he reflected on the painful experience. “The one thing that really bothers me is when people say that my marriage was fake,” he wrote. “Our actual relationship was 100% real.”
He admitted that the aftermath left him in a dark place. “I didn’t want to leave my home. It felt like the whole world hated me,” he shared. “I didn’t even want to be Kris Humphries. You can’t go up against the tabloids. It was brutal.”
While acknowledging that most people still see him as “that guy from TV,” Humphries hopes his NBA career won’t be forgotten.
A private life and new career path
Since retiring from basketball, Humphries has shifted his focus to business and entrepreneurship. He has opened multiple Crisp & Green restaurants across the Midwest, operates 10+ Five Guys franchises, and has also invested in Dave’s Hot Chicken locations in Minnesota.
Beyond business, Humphries has embraced a quieter lifestyle. His Instagram highlights time spent boating in East Hampton, Miami, Malibu, and Lake Minnetonka. He also discovered a new passion during the pandemic: pickleball.
“During COVID, people were just looking for things to do,” he told Pickleballtv in 2024. “A friend got me into it, and it was fun. It’s competitive and exciting once you get past the fact that it’s a wiffle ball.”
Though his relationship status remains private, his two dogs, Ricardo and Rocky, clearly have his heart.
From public scandal to private peace
While Kris Humphries’ marriage to Kim Kardashian lasted only 72 days, its impact shaped much of his public life. Today, however, he’s written a different story for himself, one defined not by reality TV but by business, family, and the pursuit of a quieter, more fulfilling lifestyle.
For Humphries, life after fame seems to be about balance, staying competitive on the pickleball court, thriving in business ventures, and enjoying peace away from the spotlight that once defined him.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
