Kardashian Told Kids West Was Traveling to Hide His Absences
In a new biography, the SKIMS founder details how she managed her children's perception of their father's bipolar disorder and inconsistent visits after their 2021 divorce.
By Abigail Brooks ·
For years, Kim Kardashian has told her four children that their father, Kanye West, is simply traveling when he does not visit. In the new biography Citizen Kim, released on October 27, the SKIMS founder says she invented these stories to shield North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm from the reality of his infrequent appearances. She stated, “I still make up stories and protect them,” explaining that she wants to maintain a positive image of West in their minds.
Kardashian describes the logistics of this arrangement as challenging. She noted that West comes by only every few months. To stay connected, she often communicates with him through his current wife, Bianca Censori, or his manager. This indirect line of contact has allowed for some family moments, such as a Christmas celebration that included Censori in the plans.
The book provides a detailed look at the timeline of the couple’s separation. They began dating in 2012 and married in Florence, Italy, in May 2014. By July 2020, Kardashian was publicly addressing the difficulties caused by West’s bipolar disorder. She filed for divorce in February 2021. The court declared them legally single in March 2022, and the couple reached a joint custody agreement in November 2022.
Kardashian linked the breakup to the instability during West’s episodes. In an October 2025 interview on Call Her Daddy, she said the marriage affected her mental health and her ability to be present for her children. She cited financial uncertainty and West’s attacks on her family members as reasons she decided to leave in order to parent more effectively.
West has also spoken publicly about his condition. In a January 2026 full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal, he described a four-month manic episode in early 2025. He acknowledged that his behavior during that time was linked to his bipolar I diagnosis, though he noted the illness did not excuse his actions.
Author Jonathan Van Meter, a contributing editor at Vogue and New York, wrote the 352-page book based on hundreds of hours of interviews with Kardashian. He also spoke with dozens of friends, relatives, and associates to document her life beyond the marriage, covering her work in fashion, business, and criminal justice reform.
