Helen Kardashian Biography: Facts and Family Ties

Helen Kardashian, whose original name was Haigoohi Jean Miroyan Arakelian, was the grandmother of famous reality stars like Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Rob Kardashian. She was born in California in 1917 to Armenian parents who had escaped difficult times in the Ottoman Empire.

She later married Arthur Kardashian, who owned a big meat business in Southern California. Unlike her famous grandchildren, Helen lived a quiet and private life, staying away from media and attention. She passed away in 2008 and is remembered as an important part of the Kardashian family’s history before they became globally famous.This article covers her verified history, birth, marriage, children, and legacy. For another compelling family story, you can also read about Michael Conrad Braxton Jr..

Helen Kardashian Age, Birthday & Quick Bio

Helen Kardashian was born on July 15, 1917, and died on May 22, 2008, at age 90. Her birthplace is listed as Los Angeles, California in genealogy records, though some sources report Oakland instead. Below is a quick-reference table covering the most consistently confirmed facts about her life.

What Top Sources Say About Helen Kardashian

Most articles about Helen Kardashian agree on her core facts: born in 1917, married Arthur Kardashian in 1938, and died in 2008 at age 90. But several sites contradict each other on smaller details, like her exact birthplace, the number of children she had (3 in most sources, 4 in one), and her husband’s profession. One source even claimed she “founded her own fashion line,” a detail that appears nowhere else and looks like a factual error. I have stuck to the facts that repeat consistently across multiple, more reliable sources.

Who Is Helen Kardashian? Early Life

Helen Kardashian, born Helen Arakelian, was born on July 15, 1917, to Armenian immigrant parents. Her parents are recorded as Arakel (Arut) Arakelian and Vartanoosh (Rose) Arakelian. Reports describe them as having fled the region during the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s before settling in California. She grew up in an Armenian-American household, with one consistently confirmed sibling, a sister named Hazel Perumean.

Siblings

Genealogy records confirm one sibling for Helen Kardashian: her sister, Hazel Perumean, who is listed in her 2008 obituary. A few other articles name additional siblings, including a brother and two more sisters, but these names do not appear in the verified genealogy record, so they should be treated as unconfirmed.

Helen Kardashian: Career & Profession

Helen Kardashian did not have a publicly documented career outside the home. She is consistently described across sources as a homemaker who focused on raising her 3 children and supporting her husband, Arthur, in his business. This was a common path for women of her generation. No employment records, job titles, or professional achievements are documented for her individually in any reliable source.

Family Background

Helen Kardashian’s parents were Armenian immigrants who settled in California in the early 20th century after fleeing the Armenian Genocide. Her father worked to rebuild the family’s life in the United States, and Helen grew up immersed in Armenian language, food, and religious traditions. For another family-focused story, readers can check out Alice Marrow.

Helen Kardashian: Personal Life & Marriage 

Helen Kardashian married Arthur Thomas Kardashian on February 12, 1938, in Orange County, California. Both were around 20 years old at the time. Their marriage lasted 70 years, ending only with Helen’s death in 2008. Sources disagree on Arthur’s exact profession, with some reporting he ran a carpet business and others a meat-packing business, but all agree he was a successful businessman who provided financial stability for the family.

Helen Kardashian Children

Helen and Arthur Kardashian had 3 children: Robert Kardashian Sr., born February 22, 1944; Tom Kardashian, born in 1940; and Barbara Kardashian (later Barbara Freeman). One source lists a fourth child named Sharon, but this name does not appear in the genealogy record and is likely inaccurate. Her son Robert became a nationally known attorney, most famous for his role on O.J. Simpson’s defense team in 1995. Through Robert, Helen had 4 grandchildren: Kim, Kourtney, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian.

Helen Kardashian Net Worth In 2026

There is no publicly documented net worth for Helen Kardashian herself, since she did not hold a paying career or own assets independently of her husband. Her family’s financial stability came through her husband Arthur’s business. Any specific dollar figures linked to her name online are not independently verifiable, so no number should be treated as confirmed.

Business Ventures

Helen Kardashian did not own or run a business of her own. Her husband, Arthur, ran a business that provided for their family of 5, though sources disagree on its exact industry (carpet sales versus meat-packing), and no revenue or profit figures for the business are publicly documented. No business founded or operated directly by Helen exists in any verified record.

Death Of Helen Kardashian

Helen Kardashian died on May 22, 2008, in Mission Hills, California, at age 90. She was survived by her husband Arthur, 3 children, and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California, alongside her husband.

Final Remarks

Helen Kardashian lived 90 years, 70 of them married to the same man, and raised 3 children in an Armenian-American household built on tradition and hard work. While she never sought public attention, her life laid the groundwork for one of America’s most recognized families. Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren and the values she passed down.For more stories of people who turned ideas into real businesses, Bizlixo is worth a visit.   

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