Kim Kardashian reveals esophagitis, linking it to her dad’s cancer

In the Season 8 trailer for *The Kardashians*, which premiered on Friday, 45‑year‑old reality star Kim Kardashian disclosed that she has been diagnosed with esophagitis.

The revelation was made while she sits in a makeup chair and later shown reclined in a hospital bed, accompanied by an off‑screen question about her father’s death.

During the clip, a stylist combs through Kim’s hair as she says, “I have something called esophagitis.” When asked off‑screen, “Didn’t your father… isn’t that what he died of?” she replies simply, “yeah.” Her mother, Kris Jenner, appears in an emotional confessional and states, “I can’t…it makes me want to cry.”

The revelation follows the family’s earlier public tribute to Kim’s father, attorney Robert Kardashian, who died in 2003 at age 59 after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The diagnosis came just eight weeks before his passing. The family had honored him by opening the Robert G.

Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health at UCLA in 2019, a project Kim promoted on X with a ribbon‑cutting photo and the message that “my wish is that other families can have more information and we can also focus on health and prevention.”

## Background & Context

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus and is a precursor condition related to esophageal cancer. , most cases of esophageal cancer “are not clearly linked to a gene passed down in families.” While Kim’s diagnosis echoes her father’s illness, the overall risk of developing cancer from this condition remains low.

The family’s response to her father’s death was swift and public. In 2019, they announced the UCLA health center dedicated to esophageal health, emphasizing prevention and education. Kim used social media to share the opening ceremony, hoping other families would gain more knowledge about risks and early detection.

Kim’s recent health disclosures also include a brain aneurysm that was found during an MRI scan shown in the previous season’s premiere. Doctors had told her that aneurysms can be caused by stress, prompting her to question why it occurred.

She reflected on the emotional toll of her 2022 divorce from rapper Kanye West, noting it as a significant source of stress.

## What People Are Saying

In the trailer, Kris Jenner’s tearful confession highlights the personal impact of Kim’s diagnosis on the family. The candid moment underscores how health issues can reverberate through celebrity households and bring them into the public eye.

Kim’s earlier announcement of a brain aneurysm was also met with concern from fans. She later updated viewers on *Good Morning America* last October, detailing her extensive scans at Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center.

While she has not issued a formal statement about her esophagitis diagnosis beyond the trailer clip, her openness about previous health scares has earned her an audience that follows her medical updates closely.

The family’s public dedication to a UCLA center has been praised by health advocates who emphasize early detection. Kim’s use of X to promote the center and her remarks about prevention serve as a public health message to audiences worldwide.

## What Happens Next

Kim has not yet announced any specific treatment plan or timeline for her esophagitis diagnosis. The family’s focus appears to remain on raising awareness and continuing education about esophageal health through the UCLA center.

No official statements have been released regarding future medical procedures or how the diagnosis may affect her ongoing work in fashion, television, or philanthropy. Fans and observers are left awaiting further updates that may come from Kim’s public platforms or official press releases.

The public interest in Kim Kardashian’s health journey is likely to continue, especially given her past openness about medical issues. Her latest disclosure adds another chapter to a narrative that intertwines personal health with broader family history and public advocacy.