The whirlwind romance and 72-day marriage of Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries dominated the headlines in 2011. Their lavish wedding was watched by more than 10 million viewers and became one of the biggest pop culture moments of the year. But more than a decade later, Humphries has chosen a life away from Hollywood fame.The former NBA player, who once came to the global spotlight through Keeping Up with the Kardashians, now lives a relatively private life in Minnesota, where he has focused on building a business empire in the fast food industry.
From reality TV fame to a quiet life in Minnesota
Humphries and Kardashian began dating in late 2010 before tying the knot in a big ceremony in August 2011. Their four-hour televised wedding special attracted millions of viewers, but the marriage lasted just 72 days before Kim filed for divorce.What followed was an 18-month legal battle, with Humphries seeking an annulment for fraud while Kardashian sought a divorce. The couple officially settled the case in June 2013, just days before Kim welcomed her first child, North West, with then-boyfriend Kanye West.After the split, Humphries largely disappeared from the entertainment spotlight.
Kris Humphries now runs Dave’s Hot Chicken franchises
After retiring from professional basketball, Humphries turned his attention to business. He is now an investor and franchise owner of several Dave’s Hot Chicken locations throughout Minnesota.Unlike his previous life surrounded by red carpets and celebrity events, Humphries has taken a hands-on role in the business. Their social media frequently features updates from inside the restaurants, including menu tastings, store tours and customer interactions.It has also expanded the family’s involvement in the restaurant industry, with family members operating other food franchises, including Five Guys and Crisp & Green.
Why did he choose to leave the spotlight
Humphries has rarely spoken publicly about his marriage to Kardashian or his decision to step away from fame. However, after retiring from basketball, he admitted that he intentionally wanted a quieter life.“Since I’ve been away from the game, I’m trying to stay under the radar and work on a new stage in my life,” he said. “I’ve been developing some business ventures.”Announcing the launch of Dave’s Hot Chicken in Minnesota, he added, “Super excited to bring Dave’s Hot Chicken to Minnesota with my family. This is the best chicken ever! Get ready Minnesota.”
Kim Kardashian later admitted that she regretted how the marriage ended
While Humphries has remained quiet about the relationship, Kardashian has reflected on marriage several times over the years.During the final season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2021, she admitted that she felt pressured to go ahead with the wedding despite having doubts.“I thought, ‘OK, we’re filming this for a TV show. If I leave, I’ll forever be known as the runaway bride,'” she said.Kardashian also revealed that she spent both her and Humphries’ TV earnings from the wedding special to create the lavish ceremony she had always dreamed of.After the divorce, Kardashian admitted she mishandled the breakup and said she had tried to reach out to Humphries to apologize.“Absolutely [I owe an apology]and i tried I tried to call him for months,” she said.
A very different life today
While several former members of the Kardashian family’s inner circle have continued to make headlines, Humphries has stayed out of the public eye.Today, instead of living the celebrity lifestyle that once came with being married to one of the world’s biggest reality stars, the former NBA player spends his time growing his restaurant business in Minnesota, a life that’s a world away from the Hollywood spotlight he briefly experienced.