Kylie Jenner defends self-made billionaire title: 'Not a dime is inherited'
Makeup mogul, social media icon and billionaire Kylie Jenner has hit back at claims that her title as the youngest self-made billionaire in the world is undeserved.
Speaking to Interview Magazine Germany, Jenner responded to the criticism she received after being named the world’s youngest self-made billionaire by Forbes earlier this year.
Forbes noted Jenner’s wealth of US$1 billion (AU$1.42 billion) and said she made her wealth through her makeup empire, Kylie Cosmetics.
Related story: Hold on to your wallet: Instagram launches in-app purchases
Related story: Sephora launches its first-ever credit card
Related story: Look inside this luxe penthouse designed just for Instagram influencers
“Forbes defines “self-made” as someone who built a company or established a fortune on her own, rather than inheriting some or all of it,” Forbes journalist Kerry A. Dolan said at the time, explaining that while Jenner inherited a degree of wealth and extreme fame, her wealth was self-made.
“As long as the list member didn’t inherit a business or money, she is labeled self-made.”
Despite the explanation, many commentators on Twitter were unimpressed with the title.
“Dear Twitter, Kylie Jenner is not self-made. She was a child on a reality show, her father is an Olympic gold medalist, her mother came from a family already famous off the controversy. She was raised in the limelight and in wealth. Quit overhyping mediocrity,” wrote on user.
Dear Twitter,
Kylie Jenner is not self-made. She was a child on a reality show, her father is an Olympic gold medalist, her mother came from a family already famous off the controversy. She was raised in the limelight and in wealth. Quit overhyping mediocrity. pic.twitter.com/MJL9Q5KXX9
— Granddaddy Sandwich (@TySandwich) March 5, 2019
“Kylie Jenner is not a “self made billionaire” her family was already worth millions and incredibly famous. All she did was leverage her fame, fortune, and family name,” added another.
Kylie Jenner is not a “self made billionaire” her family was already worth millions and incredibly famous. All she did was leverage her fame, fortune, and family name. https://t.co/jTxoH0LqwE
— Robbedy (@robbedy) March 5, 2019
But in the interview published on Thursday, Jenner said the criticism was unfounded.
“There’s really no other word to use other than self-made because that is the truth,” Jenner said.
“That is the category that I fall under. Although, I am a special case because before I started Kylie Cosmetics, I had a huge platform and lots of fans.
“I did not get money from my parents past the age of 15. I used 100 per cent of my own money to start the company, not a dime in my bank account is inherited… and I am very proud of that.”
Make your money work with Yahoo Finance’s daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, property and tech news.
