Kylie Jenner: Billion-Dollar Empire & Coty's Game-Changing Buyout

Photo bySam Miller

Key Takeaways:

• Forbes Cover Moment: In 2018, at just 21, Kylie Jenner was on track to become the youngest self-made billionaire, thanks to her booming beauty brand.
• Kylie Cosmetics Boom: By 2019, Kylie Cosmetics was valued at $1.2 billion, defying predictions by reaching that milestone three years ahead of schedule.
• Major Sale: In 2019, Kylie sold 51% of her company to French beauty giant Coty for $600 million, securing a massive all-cash deal.
• Brand vs. Product: While reviews on Kylie’s products were mixed, the power behind the brand wasn't groundbreaking formulas—it was Kylie’s massive social media influence.
• The SEC Papers: Coty’s public filings revealed interesting details about the deal, including other "parties" involved in King Kylie LLC.

In the News:

Back in 2018, Forbes splashed Kylie Jenner on their cover, making a bold declaration: she was set to become the youngest self-made billionaire. A year later, in 2019, Kylie Cosmetics not only hit a billion-dollar valuation but surpassed expectations, reaching the mark earlier than anticipated. The internet was buzzing over Coty’s acquisition of a majority stake in Kylie’s company for a jaw-dropping $600 million. This deal propelled Kylie Jenner into a new stratosphere of wealth, making her not only a beauty mogul but a key figure in reshaping how beauty brands connect with consumers in the digital age.

Summary:

In August 2018, Kylie Jenner graced the cover of Forbes magazine with the bold headline that she was about to become the youngest self-made billionaire at just 21 years old. Unlike most young adults her age, Kylie wasn’t just navigating school and everyday life—she was building a beauty empire that would soon take the world by storm. By 2019, Kylie Cosmetics skyrocketed in value to $1.2 billion, and in a stunning deal, French cosmetics giant Coty purchased 51% of the company for $600 million in cash.

While Kylie’s lip kits may not have been universally praised for their quality, it didn’t really matter. The secret behind Kylie Cosmetics wasn’t a revolutionary product; it was Kylie’s unmatched influence on social media. Her millions of fans, eager to support her every move, fueled the brand's rapid success. Coty’s buyout of a majority stake not only cemented Kylie’s billionaire status but also highlighted the power of personal branding in today’s marketplace.

What makes this story even more intriguing are the details from Coty’s SEC filings, which revealed that Kylie wasn’t the sole player behind her empire. King Kylie LLC, her legal entity, included other unnamed parties, raising questions about the full scope of her operation and who else might have played a role in this billion-dollar empire.

Whether you're a fan of Kylie or not, her business savvy and ability to leverage her social media presence turned her from reality TV star to one of the biggest names in the beauty industry.