It is a weirdly common mistake. You’re scrolling through TikTok or flipping past a news headline, and you see the name "Jenner" shoved right next to "Kardashian" like they’re the exact same thing. They aren't. Not exactly. While they share a mother and a massive reality TV empire, the Jenner side of the family has its own distinct, often messy, and surprisingly separate history that dates back long before Instagram filters were a thing.
So, who are the Jenners anyway?
Basically, the "Jenner" name as we know it today comes from Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner), the 1976 Olympic decathlon gold medalist. Before she was a reality star, she was a literal American hero on the back of Wheaties boxes. But most people only know the two youngest daughters, Kendall and Kylie. That’s a mistake because the family tree is actually way more sprawling—and arguably more interesting—than the glossy version we see on The Kardashians.
The Original Jenner Lineup
Long before Kris Houghton (now Kris Jenner) entered the picture, Caitlyn had a whole other life. Honestly, most casual fans forget that Kendall and Kylie have four older half-siblings who don’t always want to be in the spotlight.
First, there’s Burt Jenner and Cassandra "Casey" Marino. They are the children from Caitlyn’s first marriage to Chrystie Crownover. Burt’s a professional racer and a businessman who stays pretty low-key. Casey is an interior designer who, quite frankly, seems to value her privacy more than anyone else in the clan.
Then you have the "Malibu" years. Caitlyn married Linda Thompson (an actress who actually dated Elvis Presley—talk about a small world) and had two sons: Brandon and Brody Jenner.
You might remember Brody from The Hills. He was the quintessential 2000s reality heartthrob. Brandon is a musician and, by all accounts, the "chill" one. For years, these four older kids lived a relatively normal life in Southern California, separate from the storm of fame that was about to hit their younger sisters.
The Kris Jenner Era and the "K" Connection
In 1991, everything changed. Caitlyn married Kris Kardashian, the widow of O.J. Simpson’s lawyer, Robert Kardashian. This merged the two families into one giant, chaotic household in Hidden Hills.
They had two daughters together:
- Kendall Nicole Jenner (born 1995)
- Kylie Kristen Jenner (born 1997)
This is where the branding gets interesting. While the Kardashian kids (Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob) were already teenagers or young adults when the fame hit, Kendall and Kylie grew up with cameras in their bedrooms. They never knew a life where their every move wasn't being tracked for E! Network.
Kendall: The Fashion Exception
Kendall Jenner is sort of the "anti-Kardashian" in terms of vibe. She’s famously private about her dating life—even in 2026, we only get glimpses. Instead of the heavy-glam look her sisters pioneered, she went for the high-fashion route. She’s currently one of the highest-paid models in the world.
Beyond the runway, she’s become a massive player in the spirits industry. Her brand, 818 Tequila, has actually won dozens of tasting awards. It wasn't just a celebrity vanity project; she spent years developing it anonymously.
Kylie: The Business Powerhouse
Then there’s Kylie. If you want to know who are the Jenners in terms of pure economic impact, look no further. Kylie turned a teenage insecurity about her lips into a billion-dollar (well, almost, depending on who you ask at Forbes) empire.
Kylie Cosmetics basically invented the "Lip Kit" craze. By the time she was 21, she had sold 51% of her company to Coty Inc. for $600 million. Today, she’s branched out into Khy (her clothing line), Kylie Skin, and even baby products. She’s the person who can single-handedly tank a social media app’s stock price with one tweet. That is a terrifying amount of power for someone who isn't even 30 yet.
The 2015 Shift
We can't talk about the Jenners without mentioning Caitlyn’s transition. In 2015, she came out as a transgender woman on the cover of Vanity Fair. It was a massive cultural moment that, while celebrated by many, caused significant friction within the family.
There was a lot of public back-and-forth about Caitlyn’s memoir, The Secrets of My Life. Kris Jenner wasn't happy with how she was portrayed. The Kardashian sisters felt Caitlyn was too hard on their mom. For a while, the family was split down the middle. Even now, the relationships are... complicated. Caitlyn has been open about the fact that she doesn't speak to Kris much these days, though she remains close with her biological children.
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Why Do They Still Dominate the News?
It’s easy to dismiss them as "famous for being famous," but that’s a lazy take. The Jenners are essentially the architects of the modern attention economy.
- The Momager Effect: Kris Jenner is the engine. She takes 10% of everything, sure, but she also turns every scandal into a season premiere.
- The Pivot to Direct Sales: They don't need magazines to promote them. Between Kendall and Kylie, they have hundreds of millions of followers. They are the media.
- Diversification: They aren't just reality stars. They are venture capitalists, tequila moguls, and creative directors.
The Jenner Family Tree: A Quick Map
If you're still confused, here is the basic breakdown of the Jenner siblings:
- Burt Jenner: The eldest, professional race car driver.
- Cassandra Marino: The private one, mother of three.
- Brandon Jenner: Musician, formerly of the duo Brandon & Leah.
- Brody Jenner: Reality TV veteran and DJ.
- Kendall Jenner: Supermodel and founder of 818 Tequila.
- Kylie Jenner: Cosmetics mogul and cultural trendsetter.
The Reality of the "Jenner" Name in 2026
So, what is the "Jenner" brand today? It’s a mix of Olympic legacy, reality TV dominance, and genuine business savvy. While the Kardashian name is often associated with the more "tabloid" side of things, the Jenner name has successfully pivoted into luxury and high-fashion spaces.
The misconceptions usually stem from the idea that they are all one giant, happy unit. In reality, they are several different families tied together by marriage and a very successful TV show. There is a deep divide between the "Malibu Jenners" (Burt, Casey, Brandon, Brody) and the "Calabasas Jenners" (Kendall, Kylie).
If you want to keep up with them, your best bet isn't just watching the show—it’s watching the business filings.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Check the 818 Tequila Awards: If you're a spirits fan, look up the blind taste test results for Kendall's brand; it actually beats out some legacy labels.
- Follow the Independent Projects: Look into Brandon Jenner's music or Burt's racing career to see a side of the family that isn't filtered for E! or Hulu.
- Watch the Re-branding: Pay attention to how Kylie is currently positioning her new fashion line, Khy—it’s a major shift from her previous fast-fashion collaborations and tells you a lot about where the family is heading next.