Kim Kardashian tells children their father is traveling when he is away

Kim Kardashian tells her children that their father is traveling when he is not present for visits.

The SKIMS founder detailed this dynamic in Citizen Kim, a new biography by Jonathan Van Meter. The book was released on October 27. Kardashian stated that she creates explanations to maintain a positive image of West for North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. She noted that coparenting with someone who visits only every few months presents a challenge. Her goal is to shield the children from the gaps in his schedule.

The couple’s legal separation began with a divorce filing in February 2021. They were declared legally single in March 2022. In November 2022, they reached a settlement for joint custody of their four children. Current communication between Kardashian and West often bypasses direct contact. She frequently speaks with his wife, Bianca Censori, or his manager to coordinate schedules. Kardashian said she continues to invite West to the family home. This arrangement led to a joint Christmas celebration that included Censori.

Kardashian linked the end of their marriage to the instability caused by West’s bipolar disorder. She filed for divorce after addressing his condition publicly in July 2020. In an October 2025 interview, she described the breakup as a necessary step to parent more effectively. West has also acknowledged his bipolar I diagnosis. In a January 2026 statement in The Wall Street Journal, he described a four-month manic episode in early 2025. He connected his regretted behavior to the illness while noting it did not excuse his actions.

The biography traces Kardashian’s career from reality television to her fashion and business ventures. Van Meter conducted hundreds of hours of interviews with Kardashian. He also spoke with dozens of friends and relatives. The 352-page book also covers her advocacy for criminal justice reform. Van Meter serves as a contributing editor at Vogue and New York. He previously founded Vibe as editor-in-chief.

Kardashian and West began dating in 2012. They married on May 24, 2014, in Florence, Italy. The couple shared the cover of Vogue’s April 2014 issue. Annie Leibovitz photographed them with their daughter North.