Originally published on 7/31/25

Khloé Kardashian might be a reality TV star, business owner and mom of two, but she is also a caregiver to her ex-boyfriend Tristan Thompson’s brother, Amari, who is 18 years old and suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). And in a recent episode of her podcast Khloé in Wonder Land, the 41-year-old opened up about how she really feels about taking on that role and how the death of Tristian and Amari’s mother impacted her decision. We have her entire statement below. 

A look at Khloé Kardashian’s role as a caregiver 

Kardashian and Tristan were dating on and off from 2016 until 2022, and during that time, they welcomed two children together. Following their split, the two have remained friends and coparents. They have also continued to get together to celebrate Tristian’s brother, Amari, who is 18 and suffers from a severe form of epilepsy. 

“For those who don’t know, Tristan has a younger brother who is 18 years old, and he is severely disabled,” Kardashian explained. “Amari has LGS, which is a form of epilepsy, and he is disabled. He can’t walk or talk. He’s never been able to talk.”

Amari currently lives with Kardashian and, according to her, has done so ever since the Thompson family matriarch, Andrea, died in January 2023. 

“Tristan is in the NBA, and he is in a different state literally every other day or every few days, and it’s just not conducive for Amari to be on that many planes,” she said in her most recent podcast episode. “Amari has a handful of seizures a day with the type of epilepsy that he has. So Amari stays in LA with me, and I have chosen to take care of him and be there for him, because it’s not good that he travels.” 

“[I love] having Amari be a part of my family.”

Kardashian isn’t alone in her caregiving, though, as she also shared that she has “two sensational caretakers for Amari.” 

“We just want to provide Amari with the best, most beautiful life that we know how. And he deserves that.”

However, just because she’s taking care of Amari doesn’t mean Kardashian is getting back together with Tristan. 

“People are always like, ‘Why did I do that? Me and Tristan aren’t together, why would I take on helping with Amari?’” she said. “But when I met Tristan and his family, oh my gosh, like nine, almost 10 years ago, which is crazy. When I met them, Andrea, Tristan’s mom, and I became such good friends.” 

“I also know how much Amari means to Andrea, and she passed away because she had a sudden heart attack. Me being in a relationship or not with Tristan, I still have this family that I’ve spent so many years with, that I have such connections with that, my relationship with Andrea has nothing to do with Tristan, and my commitment to her has nothing to do with Tristan, and Amari deserves someone who will be there for him, take care of him, provide a great lifestyle for him and so Amari deserves my love and care, regardless of where me and Tristan stand.”

How Amari Thompson fits into the Kardashian family 

Anyone who’s watched Keeping Up With The Kardashians and/or The Kardashians knows that the family loves to invite people in, and it seems as though they have done the same with Amari over the past couple of years. 

“I think it’s so important for my kids, my nieces and nephews, to be exposed to all different types of people in the world,” Kardashian shared. “I think it teaches everyone compassion and understanding. It opens up their minds to seeing, ‘Wow, Amari is disabled, sure, but he’s also just like us at the same time.’”

“And I love seeing how Amari lights up when he’s around the kids. He can’t verbally talk, but if you know him well enough, he can definitely express himself, and you see the glimmer in his eyes,” she continued. “And he’s just such an amazing, amazing young man. And I’m so proud and honored that I have Amari in my life.”

Over the years, Amari has appeared on both reality shows and on several of the family members’ Instagram accounts. 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/khloe-kardashian-on-why-she-lives-with-ex-tristans-brother-amari