Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s Whirlwind Romance: The Way They Were

Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage.com

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's Whirlwind Romance: The Way They Were

It was pretty much love at first sight when Khloé Kardashian met former NBA player Lamar Odom. The pair tied the knot in September 2009, after just a month of dating, in a romantic ceremony that was featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. For the next four years, the twosome were in wedded bliss, getting matching tattoos, buying a home and trying for babies — a journey that was documented on their hit E! reality series, Khloé & Lamar. Their fairytale romance unraveled in late 2013, however, when Odom fell into a vicious cycle of addiction that would ultimately end with the athlete coming close to death after overdosing at a legal brothel in Nevada. The couple split in 2013 ahead of Odom’s hospitalization, but Kardashian called off their divorce in late 2015, choosing instead to focus on her former partner’s health. By May 2016, he had recovered, and the fashion guru filed for divorce once more — finalizing it seven months later in December. They went for a period of time without speaking, but after a new tell-all book from Odom and multiple cheating scandals on the part of Kardashian’s beau Tristan Thompson, the pair are back in touch. (Kardashian shares daughter True with Thompson.) [jwplayer 6Ivtjqqx-zhNYySv2] “She sent me a text yesterday,” Odom said of his ex-wife on an episode of The Jenny McCarthy Show, noting that it was “friendly." Several years after the pair’s divorce, the basketball player still looked back fondly on his past relationship, even watching old clips of KUWTK and their spinoff, Khloé & Lamar. “My show with my ex wife ❤️ I want to thank @krisjenner @khloekardashian @kimkardashian @robkardashianofficial @kourtneykardash for taking me in and loving me without judgement,” the professional athlete captioned Instagram footage of himself watching old episodes in March 2021. “Y’all gave me family and for that I am forever grateful 🙏🏾❤️ Thanks @eentertainment for the marathon. #Thankful #Grateful #Blessed #LamarOdom #Lakers #Family #Love #Growth #Sober #Rebirth #Happy #RealityShow #Hit #FinalSeason #AmericanRoyalty.” Several months later, Odom revealed that the former flames don’t speak to one another often — apart from a few flirty Instagram comments that he’s publicly sent to the Good American cofounder. “I miss their family tremendously,” Odom said on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy in May 2021. “We have to live with the decisions that we make and then, hopefully in time people heal and [will] be able to forgive me.” Scroll through for the pair’s ups and downs through the years. [podcast_block]

Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage.com

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's Whirlwind Romance: The Way They Were

It was pretty much love at first sight when Khloé Kardashian met former NBA player Lamar Odom. The pair tied the knot in September 2009, after just a month of dating, in a romantic ceremony that was featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. For the next four years, the twosome were in wedded bliss, getting matching tattoos, buying a home and trying for babies — a journey that was documented on their hit E! reality series, Khloé & Lamar. Their fairytale romance unraveled in late 2013, however, when Odom fell into a vicious cycle of addiction that would ultimately end with the athlete coming close to death after overdosing at a legal brothel in Nevada. The couple split in 2013 ahead of Odom’s hospitalization, but Kardashian called off their divorce in late 2015, choosing instead to focus on her former partner’s health. By May 2016, he had recovered, and the fashion guru filed for divorce once more — finalizing it seven months later in December. They went for a period of time without speaking, but after a new tell-all book from Odom and multiple cheating scandals on the part of Kardashian’s beau Tristan Thompson, the pair are back in touch. (Kardashian shares daughter True with Thompson.) [jwplayer 6Ivtjqqx-zhNYySv2] “She sent me a text yesterday,” Odom said of his ex-wife on an episode of The Jenny McCarthy Show, noting that it was “friendly." Several years after the pair’s divorce, the basketball player still looked back fondly on his past relationship, even watching old clips of KUWTK and their spinoff, Khloé & Lamar. “My show with my ex wife ❤️ I want to thank @krisjenner @khloekardashian @kimkardashian @robkardashianofficial @kourtneykardash for taking me in and loving me without judgement,” the professional athlete captioned Instagram footage of himself watching old episodes in March 2021. “Y’all gave me family and for that I am forever grateful 🙏🏾❤️ Thanks @eentertainment for the marathon. #Thankful #Grateful #Blessed #LamarOdom #Lakers #Family #Love #Growth #Sober #Rebirth #Happy #RealityShow #Hit #FinalSeason #AmericanRoyalty.” Several months later, Odom revealed that the former flames don’t speak to one another often — apart from a few flirty Instagram comments that he’s publicly sent to the Good American cofounder. “I miss their family tremendously,” Odom said on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy in May 2021. “We have to live with the decisions that we make and then, hopefully in time people heal and [will] be able to forgive me.” Scroll through for the pair’s ups and downs through the years. [podcast_block]

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Their First Public Date

After dating for a few weeks, the reality star and former Los Angeles Lakers forward made their romance public during a PDA-filled night at West Hollywood club Guys and Dolls on September 3. A witness told Us Weekly, "There is no denying the chemistry."

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Their Second Public Outing

"Khloé is smart and beautiful and that is very hard to find," Odom told Us on September 5 — two days after they debuted their relationship.

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Dinner for Two

The two enjoyed a romantic meal at BOA restaurant in Beverly Hills on September 5. "I'm always excited when I'm with Khloé," he told Us.

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Three's Company

"He's a great guy," Khloé's sister Kim Kardashian told Us of Odom. The three attended the L.A. premiere of White Out on September 9.

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Happy as Can Be

The couple were all smiles as they left a cafe in West Hollywood September 16. Two days after the outing, news leaked that the two were getting married.

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Prepping for the Big Day

Khloé picked out her wedding registry with mom Kris Jenner at Williams-Sonoma in Beverly Hills September 21. Kris on her daughter's sudden wedding: "If you meet somebody, you just know."

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Thinking of Her Man

While shopping with her family in Hollywood, she considered buying a Lakers lamp, an ode to Odom, who had just signed a four-year, $33 million contract.

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Still No Ring

At a Humane Society benefit in Los Angeles September 21, Odom played coy with reporters when asked why Khloé wasn't wearing a ring yet. "What ring?" he teased.

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Farewell to Single Life

On September 24, Odom celebrated the end of his bachelor life at STK restaurant in L.A. with pals, including Scott Disick, the father of Kourtney Kardashian's kids. One of his pals toasted, "This is to one ring and many championship rings!"

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They Get Married!

The lovebirds tied the knot at Kardashian family friend Irving Azoff’s mansion on September 27, 2009 in front of roughly 200 guests that included Khloé’s famous family members and Odom’s L.A. Lakers teammates.

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They Get Matching Tats

They newlyweds cemented their love in ink in October 2009, when tattoo artist Dirk Vanderlinden inked the couple with a "L.O." on Kardashian's right hand, and "K.O." on both of Odom's hands. "Lamar and I were eating at Sunset Plaza and I just said, 'Let's go to Tattoo Mania! I want a tattoo!'” Khloé blogged at the time.

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They Buy a New Home

Khloé and Odom shelled out nearly $4 million for a home in Mulholland Park Estates in Tarzana, California, in November 2009. The seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom property, which also included a spa, waterfall, steam room and home theater, gave the couple plenty of space to start trying for a family in January 2010. "I want to so badly! That's a goal for me,” Khloé told 104.3 MY FM's Valentine in the Morning.

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They Honeymoon

Though they married in September 2009, the pair didn’t embark on their honeymoon until June 2010, when they finally made time to head down to Mexico. The reality star and the basketball player stayed at Girls Gone Wild owner Joe Francis’ home. “They knew it would be very private and security would be tight there,” a source told Perez Hilton.

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They Get Their Own Show

The twosome’s reality series, Khloe & Lamar, debuted on E! on April 10, 2011, and portrayed them adjusting to their new sex life as Khloé tried to get pregnant. “It's a little weird when it comes to [scheduling] sex," Odom said on the show. The series would go on to run for two full seasons before Khloé pulled the plug in April 2012.

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Khloé Begins Fertility Treatments

The Revenge Body host seemingly got even more serious about starting a family with Odom in June 2012, when she began receiving fertility treatments at a L.A. clinic.

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Things Begin to Come Undone

Despite the fact that the couple vehemently denied split rumors in February 2013, telling Us that their sex life was “intense,” multiple sources confirmed to Us in August 2013 that Odom’s issues with substance abuse had come between them. "The addiction had taken over their marriage," a mutual pal said. "The problem is cocaine. He would be high for three or four days at a time." That same month, the athlete was arrested for a DUI.

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Lamar Checks Into Rehab

Odom sought help for his issues in September 2013, checking himself into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.

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They File for Divorce

Despite their best efforts to make it work, Khloé filed for divorce from her husband of four years on December 13, 2013. "She flip-flopped several times, but she can't imagine having kids with someone who refuses to seek help for his disease," an insider told Us of her decision.

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They Sign Divorce Papers

It would be a full two years before Khloé and Odom actually completed their divorce papers — the former couple got around to signing off on their paperwork in July 2015, with only a judge left to sign.

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Lamar Is Hospitalized

Tragedy struck in October 2015 when Odom was hospitalized after being found unconscious at legal brothel Love Ranch South in Pahrump, Nevada. The NBA champion suffered several strokes while incapacitated and a significant amount of cocaine was reportedly found in his system. His estranged wife rushed to be by his side and stayed with him overnight.

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They Dismiss Divorce

In light of Odom’s life-threatening injuries, the businesswoman put her divorce on hold in October 2015, asking a judge to withdraw the filing. “This is a very delicate and difficult time for both Lamar and Khloé, and the most sensible thing to do at such a time is not make any big moves and put everything on hold,” a source revealed to Us. “So that’s what she is doing.”

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Lamar Is Released From the Hospital

After three long months, Odom left the Cedars Sinai hospital in January 2016. “Lamar is doing way better,” said an insider.

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Khloé Re-Files for Divorce

With Odom in the clear, Khloé made the move to end her marriage for the second time on May 26, 2016. A source close to the basketball player said that while he was sad about the next step, he was looking ahead to the future. “He is more independent now and with his friends all the time and his kids a lot. So he's ready to move on."

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Khloé Moves On

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star was cautiously optimistic about a new man in her life — Thompson — in September 2016.  “She seems more hopeful with Tristan — he’s different than the other guys she’s dated,” a source dished to Us.

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Khloé and Lamar Settle Their Divorce

Seven years after saying their “I dos,” the longtime lovers settled their divorce in October 2016.

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Lamar Checks Back Into Rehab

Odom took precautionary measures against relapsing in December 2016, voluntarily checking himself in for treatment. “He went to continue making sure he stays sober and on the right path,” a source exclusively told Us. “It was something he chose to do." Days later, his divorce from Khloé was finalized.

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They No Longer Speak

The E! star and the New York City native had ceased all conversation by November 2017. “Khloé and Lamar have no communication,” a source told Us exclusively. “She wishes for the best for him.”

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Lamar Wants Khloé Back

The basketball star regretted the demise of his relationship following reports that Thompson had cheated on her with multiple women. “Lamar would absolutely get back together with Khloé, and realizes he wasn’t the best person he could be while they were together,” a source told Us.

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Khloé Gets In Touch

The Good American designer reached out to her ex-husband over a particular story in his tell-all memoir in May 2019. “She sent me a text yesterday,” the NBA player said on The Jenny McCarthy Show on May 29. “She talked about one of the stories that I told in the book about her coming to the hotel and putting her hands on a girl. She said that she didn’t even think that I remembered that story.” Odom added that their communication was “friendly.”

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The Good Old Days

As Odom rewatched his wedding special from the E! series, he couldn’t help but get emotional reliving their best memories together.

“I’ll never forget that I got married on TV,” he said in a March 2021 Instagram video while watching a Khloé and Lamar marathon on TV. “I get a little bit emotional watching it.”

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Missing the Family

Odom remained grateful for the love and support he had from the former Revenge Body host and her family during their marriage, even though he had not been in touch with the Kardashian-Jenner squad in recent years.

“Unfortunately, you know, due to my behavior and some bad decisions, we don’t really talk any longer,” he revealed during a May 2021 interview on Radio Andy.

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Getting Hot in the IG Comments

After the reality TV star posted a sultry bikini snap on Instagram in July 2021, the former NBA star commented, “Hottie 🔥🔥😍😍❤️🥰🥰,” on his ex-wife’s post.

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Public Pleas

During his time in the Celebrity Big Brother house, Odom made a point of expressing his appreciation for his former spouse and his regret for how their marriage ended. "I never thought about getting married again. I didn’t treat that good woman right," he said during a February 2022 episode of the CBS series, adding that he hoped to get in touch with Khloé again. "I wish I was mature enough to handle [marriage] right, but I wasn't. If given the opportunity again, now I know what to do. What to do and what not to do. Sometimes it's hard for me to sleep at night thinking about her."

After his eviction from the competition, Odom exclusively told Us that it was "really nice" to see a positive response from fans. "When you marry someone in 30 days, they'll always be connected to you somehow, someway. [Khloé will] always have a place in my heart," he gushed. "When I came out of the coma, she took care of me. I'm talking about a woman that wiped my backside when I couldn't do it myself. So, I'm fond of her for that. She had a lot of dignity and pride as well as I did."

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A Little Shade

In June 2022, Odom compared his ex-wife to Taraji P. Henson, whom he dated in 2009. “I think the difference between Taraji and Khloé is how they [were] brought up," he told Page Six. "Their upbringing, which makes people different and [affects] the way they think. I think Taraji is more skillful in what she does as an actress compared to what Khloé does."

The former athlete called Kardashian a "great wife" but said if he had to get back together with an ex he would choose Henson. “I love Taraji. It’s a love thing. It’s about who you love,” he said. “Taraji is a cool girl. Matter fact she’s here [in L.A.]. I got to see her at the BET Awards in June. So maybe I’ll get to shoot my shot at her again.”

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Looking Back

Odom announced his one-hour documentary, TMZ Presents: Lamar Odom: Sex, Drugs & Kardashians. He'll explore how sex addiction and drug use ended his marriage to Kardashian in the special, which is set to air on Fox in January 2023.