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Kendall Jenner

Reference-style biography • #1 on Highest Paid Models (2025 overview included)

Born: November 3, 1995 — Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Model, media personality, entrepreneur Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Kendall Jenner (born November 3, 1995) is an American model and media personality who combines high-fashion runway work, global beauty campaigns and entrepreneurship. She first became widely known through the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and later developed a top-tier modeling career — including a marquee runway debut at Marc Jacobs in 2014 and a high-profile ambassadorship with Estée Lauder. In 2021 Jenner launched 818 Tequila, a direct-to-consumer spirits brand. This page provides a neutral, sourced overview of her life, career highlights and the context behind her #1 ranking for 2025 on Highest Paid Models.

Early life

Kendall Nicole Jenner was born in Los Angeles on November 3, 1995. She is the daughter of Caitlyn Jenner and Kris Jenner and grew up in a family that entered the public eye through reality television. Jenner began modeling in her teens and balanced early TV appearances with schooling before moving full time into modeling and commercial projects.[1]

Television career

Jenner appeared from childhood on the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians (E!, 2007–2021) and later on Hulu/Disney+'s The Kardashians (2022– ). Her TV exposure built mainstream recognition that helped accelerate commercial deals and fashion bookings; she remains a regular on the family’s media projects as of 2025.[10][11][12]

Modeling career

Breakthrough & high-fashion debut (2014)

Kendall's high-fashion runway debut at Marc Jacobs (NYFW, Fall 2014) was widely covered and helped reposition her from a reality-TV personality to a recognized runway and editorial model. Following that year she signed high-profile campaigns and began appearing regularly in major fashion weeks across New York, Milan and Paris.[6][8][9]

Beauty ambassadorships & campaigns

In late 2014 Jenner was announced as a global face of Estée Lauder — a campaign that expanded her exposure across beauty markets and digital channels. From 2015 onward, Jenner combined runway work with commercial campaigns and magazine covers, contributing to her placement on lists of top-earning models in trade press.[2][3][7][15]

Recognition & industry context

Industry outlets and trade reports have documented Jenner's rise in commercial value; for example, Forbes listed her among the highest-paid models in 2017 and 2018, citing brand deals and social-media-driven fees as material income streams.[22][23]

Business career & 818 Tequila

818 Tequila launched publicly in 2021. The brand positions itself on sustainability and community investment, highlighting initiatives such as a 1% for the Planet membership and projects that work with agave-producing communities in Jalisco. Trade press has covered 818’s marketing approach, distribution growth in the U.S., and some legal disputes with competing brands that were later reported to be resolved. Jenner remains publicly identified with the brand as founder and its primary face, and 818 contributes to her profile as a model-entrepreneur hybrid.[25][26][28][13][14]

Public image & controversies

Jenner’s public image combines fashion prestige and social-media reach. Notable controversies include the pulled Pepsi commercial in 2017, which drew criticism for trivializing protests; Pepsi removed the ad and issued an apology, and Jenner later discussed the episode publicly. 818’s reception has also prompted commentary on cultural impact and industry practices; responses vary between trade praise for marketing effectiveness and critiques around cultural sensitivity.[34][35][29][32]

Philanthropy

818 publicly commits a portion of revenue to environmental causes and community programs related to agave regions; the brand’s stated initiatives and partnerships are noted on its website and in press releases. Jenner has participated in public-facing charitable communication tied to 818 and other family initiatives.[25][26][30]

Selected filmography & appearances

  • Keeping Up with the Kardashians — series regular (E!, 2007–2021).[10]
  • The Kardashians — series regular (Hulu/Disney+, 2022– ).[11][12]
  • Documentaries, fashion specials and guest appearances — various.

Awards & recognition

  • Forbes — listed among highest-paid models (2017, 2018).[22][23]
  • Fashion industry recognitions and reader-voted awards in the 2010s. [33]

2025 overview — ranking & editorial rationale

Highest Paid Models places Kendall Jenner at #1 for 2025 based on a conservative editorial composite: campaign and ambassador continuity, editorial visibility (major magazine covers and runway presence), owned-brand momentum (818 Tequila) and mainstream visibility via television. Our methodology weights verifiable campaign income, founder-related payouts where documented, and ongoing public visibility. This ranking is editorial and uses public sources — it is not a financial statement.

References (selected)

  1. “Kendall Jenner” — Wikipedia profile (bio basics; agencies; TV). Accessed Nov 6, 2025. [1]
  2. Vogue (UK): “Kendall On Being Estée Lauder’s New Girl” (Nov 17, 2014). [7]
  3. TRBusiness: “Estée Lauder signs Kendall Jenner” (Nov 17, 2014). [3]
  4. Models.com — Kendall Jenner model profile (height/eyes/hair/agencies). [4]
  5. Forbes — Highest-Paid Models coverage (2017/2018). [22][23]
  6. Time: Pepsi ad pulled — coverage (2017). [34]
  7. 818 Tequila official sustainability page and PR releases. [25][26]
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