Nearly nine years after a high-profile armed robbery targeting celebrity reality star Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week, a French court has handed down final civil rulings in the case, concluding the legal process for all parties involved.
On Tuesday, a Paris judicial panel granted Kardashian the 1 euro ($1.15) in compensation she requested, according to a lawyer familiar with the ruling. The decision comes one year after the same court convicted eight people for their roles in the October 2016 heist, which Kardashian has described as “the most terrifying experience of my life.”
Two men disguised as police officers gained entry to Kardashian’s private suite at the luxury Hôtel de Pourtalès, where she bound the star with zip ties and duct tape before stealing more than $6 million worth of jewelry — including a diamond ring she had worn to that evening’s Givenchy runway show. The group of aging perpetrators, six of whom were in their 60s and 70s at the time of trial, earned the nickname *les papys braqueurs* (the grandpa robbers) in French media due to their advanced ages.
Last year, all eight defendants were convicted on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. Having already served their required pre-trial detention time, none were ordered back to prison, and no defendant has filed an appeal against the conviction ruling.
In addition to Kardashian’s award, the court also granted 1 euro in damages to Kardashian’s stylist Simone Harouche, who was present during the robbery, matching the amount she requested. A former receptionist at Hôtel de Pourtalès, who testified that he suffered lasting trauma from the heist, was awarded 109,516 euros ($126,472) — a partial victory, as he had originally sought 550,000 euros ($634,868) in damages and interest. His lawyer, Mohand Ouidja, praised the court’s ruling as a win for his client. The hotel itself was also awarded 50,000 euros ($57,741) in damages.
In a joint statement released to the Associated Press, Kardashian and Harouche expressed gratitude to the French justice system for the ruling. “The experience was deeply traumatic, and its impact has stayed with us,” the statement read. “Today’s decision is not about the compensation, but about accountability and recognition. We are thankful to the Court and everyone who supported us throughout this process, and we hope to now move forward and continue to heal.”
Following the 2024 conviction, Kardashian released a separate statement reaffirming her gratitude to French law enforcement and judicial authorities for seeing the case through to a just outcome. “The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family,” she said at the time. “While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all. I remain committed to advocating for justice and promoting a fair legal system.”