Kris Jenner Recalls Not Giving Robert Kardashian Sr. Her Phone Number at Age 17. Here's How the Late Lawyer Eventually Got It

Lexi LaneSun, March 22, 2026 at 4:30 PM UTC

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Kris Jenner (left) and Robert Kardashian Sr. (right)Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty; Nick Ut/AP -

Kris Jenner met Robert Kardashian Sr. as a teenager at a racetrack and initially refused to give him her number

Jenner reflected on their marriage, divorce and how they remained close friends after their separation in 1991

The Kardashian family continues to honor Kardashian Sr.'s legacy with heartfelt tributes on his birthdays

Kris Jenner had a meet-cute with her first husband, Robert Kardashian Sr., when she was a teenager.

Jenner, 70, who appeared on Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett's SmartLess podcast on Monday, March 9, spoke about what their initial meeting was like back in the early '70s.

"We met at the racetrack in Delmar," Jenner recalled. "And I wasn’t old enough to bet, so I had to stand to the side while my girlfriend’s mom had to place our bets for like $2. I was so excited and I was all dressed up."

"He came up to me and said, you know, 'What’s your name?' And I told him and he was a little cheeky," she added. "And I was really annoyed, like you’re a stranger, go away."

Jenner also noted during the conversation that "the world was a much different place" without technology and putting trust in strangers. "But there was also no way to contact somebody unless you had their phone number and you were standing by your phone in the kitchen to receive the phone call and blah blah blah. I mean, it was a weird world. The best times of my life," she said.

Kris Jenner (left) and Robert Kardashian Sr. (right)Credit: Rob Kardashian/Instagram

Still, she didn't immediately reciprocate Kardashian Sr.'s advances.

"And so he asked me for my name and I gave it to him and he asked me for my number and I didn't give it to him. But his best friend, this girl, worked at the phone company," Jenner continued.

"I knew you were going to say that," Arnett, 55, replied. "Like every story from back then had to be like, 'I knew somebody at the phone company.' That's the only way."

Jenner said that by looking up her name at the phone company, it also included her phone number, which is how Kardashian Sr. was able to reach her.

The two eventually got married in 1978, having four children, Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Rob Kardashian. However, they got divorced in 1991, but remained good friends until Kardashian Sr. died of esophageal cancer at age 59 in 2003.

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During an October 2023 episode of The Kardashians, Jenner looked back on that time and how she "became best friends" with Kardashian Sr. after the separation.

"We talked on [the] phone all day long, helped each other through things all the time and I did have regrets," Jenner said. "I thought, 'Wow, what I was thinking?' "

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Over the years, Jenner has honored Kardashian Sr.'s legacy. She posted on her Instagram Stories for what would've been his 79th birthday in February 2023 with "Miss you RGK."

Then, in honor of his 80th birthday, other family members shared social media tributes. "Happy Birthday Dad! Thank You for giving me only good memories with you. I miss You every day. I Love You so much 💙🥹💙," Rob, 39, captioned a throwback photo of his mom and dad on Instagram.

Khloé posted an Instagram slideshow of photos of her father. "Of course I miss him every single day and wish he were here to meet our babies but I’m not sad," she wrote. "In fact, I feel blessed that I was chosen to have 19 years with the most incredible Man I have ever known."

"I can’t ski without thinking of you. I’ll always remember the trips and memories you created for us and never ever take those moments for granted," Kim, 45, captioned her tribute by using a photo of them on a family ski vacation. "God really blessed us with the most amazing thoughtful, patient, funny, charismatic, loving, and kind dad."

Kourtney, 46, described Kardashian Sr. as a dad who had the "best sense of humor and made life so much fun" and "made it all so fun and special."

Finally, Jenner once again shared a photo of her ex-husband on her Instagram Stories, writing, "Happy Birthday Robert. You would be so proud of our kids and I know you are always with us. We all love you and miss you endlessly."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”