Kourtney and Kim Age Gap

TL;DR: The age gap between Kourtney and Kim Kardashian is 1 year and 7 months. Kourtney Kardashian was born on April 18, 1979, while Kim Kardashian was born on October 21, 1980. This small gap places them close in age, with both sisters born just over a year apart.

Kourtney and Kim Age Difference Infographic

Why Does This Tiny Age Gap Create Such Massive Drama?

The answer lies in those crucial 552 days between their births. When you’re that close in age, you’re essentially living parallel lives—until suddenly, you’re not. Kourtney (born April 18, 1979) and Kim (born October 21, 1980) grew up as virtual twins in the Kardashian household, but their slight age difference set them on wildly different trajectories.

Think of it this way: Kourtney was still in diapers when Kim arrived, making them perpetual playmates turned perpetual rivals. They graduated from the same high school, shared the same friends, and launched their reality empire together—but that’s where the similarities end.

The real plot twist? Their feud isn’t a bug in the Kardashian system—it’s the feature.

What Makes Their Sister Dynamic So Explosive?

Picture this: Kourtney was 28 when Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered in 2007, already settled with Scott Disick and focused on building a family. Meanwhile, 26-year-old Kim was navigating a leaked sex tape scandal and transforming it into rocket fuel for her career. Same show, same family, completely different life chapters.

The psychology here is chef’s kiss perfect for reality TV. Kourtney embodies classic firstborn energy—craving independence, pursuing that University of Arizona degree, wanting to do things “the right way.” Kim? Pure second-child ambition, ready to leapfrog her sister and rewrite the rules entirely.

Their mom Kris Jenner (the ultimate momager) recognized this dynamic as ratings gold. Every family has the responsible one and the wild card—but when they’re only 18 months apart? That’s when the fireworks really fly.

But here’s where their story gets legendary…

The Greatest Hits of Kardashian Sister Warfare

These aren’t your average sibling squabbles—they’re multimedia events with receipts. Let’s dive into the hall of fame feuds that defined an era:

The “I Bought Her a F—king Career” Incident (2015)

When Kim asked to use Kourtney’s likeness for her mobile game, things went nuclear. Kourtney hesitated, and Kim dropped the now-iconic line: “I’m not buying her a f—king pair of shoes. I bought her a f—king career!”

The subtext? Kim felt she’d carried the family brand while Kourtney coasted. Kourtney felt reduced to a supporting character in Kim’s empire.

The “Least Exciting to Look At” Burn (2018)

A Christmas card scheduling conflict spiraled into Kim delivering one of the coldest reads in reality TV history. Calling your sister “the least exciting to look at” on camera? That’s Shakespearean-level family drama.

Kourtney’s response was equally savage: “I’m not here to be mistreated by my f—king bitch family.”

The Physical Fight That Stopped Production (2020)

Words turned to water bottles and slaps when their work ethic debate literally came to blows. Kim was left with scratches and bleeding; the wall got a makeup stain; production reportedly had to pause. This wasn’t performative—this was years of resentment exploding in real time.

Ready for the plot twist that nobody saw coming?

How Did Italy Become Their Ultimate Battleground?

Fast-forward to 2022: Kourtney marries Travis Barker in a Dolce & Gabbana-sponsored Italian extravaganza. It’s her moment—gothic romance, vintage vibes, the whole aesthetic carefully curated.

Then Kim becomes D&G’s creative director for a fashion show immediately after. In Kourtney’s mind? Her sister just monetized her wedding aesthetic.

The 2023 revelation that their family has a group chat literally called “Not Kourtney” was the cherry on this dramatic sundae. Imagine finding out your siblings have a separate thread just to discuss you—that’s therapy material right there.

What’s the psychology behind all this sisterly chaos?

The Birth Order Theory That Explains Everything

Those 552 days created two completely different worldviews living under one roof. The research shows it perfectly:

Kourtney’s Firstborn Playbook:

• Got her degree (responsible eldest energy)
• Had the first grandkid (family legacy focus)
• Consistently chose motherhood over fame
• Launched Poosh at 40 (on her own terms)

Kim’s Second-Child Strategy:

• Turned scandal into opportunity (adaptability)
• Built a business empire (competitive drive)
• Made every life event a brand moment
• Created Skims and KKW Beauty (diversification queen)

The pattern is crystal clear: Kourtney does it first, Kim does it bigger. Kourtney values authenticity, Kim values achievement. Both are valid—but when you’re sharing screen time and splitting profits? That’s when the claws come out.

Is their feud killing the family or keeping it alive?

The Genius Business Model Hidden in Plain Sight

Here’s what most people miss: the Kardashian empire doesn’t survive despite the sister feuds—it thrives because of them. Their conflicts create:

• Multi-episode story arcs (ratings gold)
• Social media engagement (viral moments)
• Press cycles (free publicity)
• Emotional investment (audience loyalty)

Every tearful reconciliation reinforces the “family first” brand while the fights themselves keep people watching. It’s a perpetual content machine powered by genuine emotion—you literally can’t script this level of authentic sibling rivalry.

Compare them to other famous siblings: the Gyllenhaals collaborate, the Knowles sisters support from a distance, but the Kardashians? They’ve turned their 1.5-year age gap into the engine of a media empire.

Time for the million-dollar question…

Will These Sisters Ever Truly Find Peace?

The evidence suggests they’re locked in an eternal dance of conflict and reconciliation. At 44 and 43 respectively, Kourtney and Kim have spent four decades in this dynamic—it’s literally older than some of their fans.

But maybe that’s the point. Their relationship represents something deeply relatable wrapped in designer packaging: the universal struggle between siblings who love each other but can’t stop competing. We watch because we recognize our own family dynamics, just with better lighting and bigger budgets.

The 552-day age gap that separates them might be small, but it created just enough space for two entirely different women to emerge. One chose family, one chose fame, and together they chose to share their journey with the world—fights, reconciliations, and all.

What do you think—is their feud real or just really good TV?

Curious about your own age compatibility? Try our Age Difference Calculator for instant insights.

FAQ