Kim Kardashian Tells Paris Court She Feared for Her Life During 2016 Jewelry Heist

A group of ‘grandpa robbers’ are accused of stealing millions of euros in jewelry from her during Paris Fashion Week nearly nine years ago.

Kim Kardashian leaves the courthouse after testifying in the trial of 10 people accused of stealing millions of dollars worth of jewellery from her, who was held at gunpoint in her apartment during Paris fashion week in 2016, a trial known as the "Rue Tronchet" affair, in Paris, France, on May 13, 2025. Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters

Kim Kardashian broke down in tears as she recounted the night she was robbed at gunpoint in her Paris hotel room, telling a French court on Tuesday that she believed she was going to die during the 2016 attack.

The reality television star and business mogul, 44, testified in the high-profile trial of the “grandpa robbers,” a group accused of stealing millions of euros in jewelry from her during Paris Fashion Week nearly nine years ago.

Kardashian told the court she had always felt safe in Paris, often strolling the city at night. But that sense of security was shattered around 3 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2016, when she heard heavy footsteps walking up the stairs to her luxury hotel suite.

“I came to Paris for fashion week. Paris was always a place that I loved so much. I used to walk around the city when I woke up in the middle of the night. I always felt very safe,” she said during the hearing Tuesday.

She was preparing to sleep when several men dressed as police officers barged into her bedroom. “I kept calling out for my sister and one of my best friends, but no one answered me. And in my bedroom come in a few police officers, or what I assumed were police officers as they were in police uniforms,” Kardashian testified. The intruders demanded her jewelry, one of them shouting “Ring! Ring!” in English with an accent, pointing at her.

Fearing the Worst

Kardashian admitted she was initially confused, thinking the incident might be a terrorist attack given the global climate at the time. But the situation escalated as the men forced her back into the room, threw her on the bed, and one pointed a gun at her.

“I was pretty hysterical, and I just looked at the concierge and told him: ‘What is going to happen to us? I have to make it home to my babies,’” Kardashian said.

She described a moment when one of the robbers grabbed her leg and pulled her towards him, exposing her. “That was the moment when I thought he would rape me. But he ended up tying me up and closed my legs,” she said.

“I absolutely thought I was going to die,” Kardashian told the court, recalling how she worried her sister would find her dead and be traumatized forever.

Aftermath and Trauma

After the robbers left, Kardashian managed to free herself by cutting her ties on a marble sink. She ran to hide on the balcony with her stylist, Simone Harouche, fearing the attackers might return.

Harouche had locked herself in the bathroom during the ordeal and texted Kardashian’s sister Kourtney and their bodyguard for help.

Kardashian called her mother from the bushes to tell her what had happened. As they waited for security, she and Harouche debated whether to jump from the window to escape.

“Now I have between four and six security [personnel] at home for me to feel safe,” Kardashian said. “I can’t sleep at night if there aren’t multiple security people.”

She also revealed that her home in Los Angeles was robbed shortly after the Paris incident.

The Trial and Forgiveness

Ten defendants are on trial in Paris, including five men facing charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, which could carry life sentences. The alleged ringleader, Aomar Ait Khedache, 69, known as “Omar the Old,” who can no longer speak, sent Kardashian a letter of apology, which was read aloud in court.

“I’m honestly emotional about it. This experience changed my life, changed my family life ... I do appreciate the letter, for sure, I forgive you for what has taken place, but it doesn’t change the feelings and the trauma and the fact that my life was forever changed, but I do appreciate the letter, thank you,” Kardashian said.

Khedache, who denies being the ringleader, responded through the court: “Your forgiveness is a sunshine that has enlightened me ... I am forever grateful.”

Seeking Closure

Kardashian told the court that testifying was her way of seeking closure. “This is my closure. This is me putting this hopefully to rest, after being able to see everyone and thank the French judiciary system for figuring out this investigation,” she said.

She said she was hopeful that those involved would be rehabilitated. She said that her role was simply to tell her truth and help prevent similar crimes from happening to others.

“I wouldn’t wish that upon my worst enemy,” Kardashian said, reflecting on the ordeal and its impact on her life.

Fans lined up outside the courthouse to support Kardashian, with some calling her an inspiration and hoping for justice. The majority of the stolen jewels, including a $4 million engagement ring, remain missing.

From NTD News