How Kim & Kanye got their marriage back on track
After fighting off divorce rumours amid concern for bipolar Kanye West’s mental wellbeing, he and wife Kim Kardashian have emerged stronger than ever
In a fresh show of unity after weeks of split rumours, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West enjoyed a day out paddleboarding with their seven-year-old daughter North and Kim’s sister Kourtney near their Wyoming ranch.
It was a refreshing turnaround after reports of an imminent split surfaced last month when Kanye, 43, sparked concern during his first campaign rally for US presidency in South Carolina, where he claimed they once considered aborting North.
He later embarked on a Twitter tirade, accusing Kim, 39, of having an affair with rapper Meek Mill – which he denied – and claiming he’d been trying to divorce his wife for two years, while reiterating that she and mother-in-law Kris Jenner have “tried to lock him up”.
But insiders now say that LA-based Kim – who also shares
children Saint, four, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one, with Kanye – met up with Kanye in Wyoming last week, where the rapper was temporarily living, after voicing concerns that he was having a bipolar episode.
A source says, “Kim and
Kanye are in a better place now. It seems as though Kim got through to Kanye when she showed up in Wyoming to have talks about their future. Kanye realised that he doesn’t want to lose what he has, and they’ve been talking about how they can get back on the same page.
“They went back to the start of their relationship – which was based on long phone calls into the early hours – reminding one another why they fell in love. They’ve been talking about growing old together, collaborating on a fashion line, and indulging in shared passions – something they initially bonded over. She understands that he is following his dream of being in politics, and wants to support him as he does her.”
The source adds, “Kim’s been hurt by the negative attention, but she’ll always be supportive of Kanye and his condition. She knows they can turn that page and look to the future together.”
MENTAL HEALTH
Kanye’s erratic behaviour had pushed a concerned Kim – who was seen breaking down in tears during a heated conversation with him – to address his mental health. She asked fans for compassion, acknowledging that his bipolar disorder was “incredibly complicated and painful” for many to understand.
Meanwhile, Kanye later apologised on Twitter saying, “To Kim, I want to say I know I hurt you. Please forgive me. Thank you for always being there for me.”
Kim previously spoke out about Kanye’s mental health issues after he was hospitalised for a “psychiatric emergency” in November 2016, revealing she knows how to handle his “episodes”. She said, “For him, being on medication is not really an option, because it changes who he is... We can feel episodes coming, and we know how to handle them.”
She added, “If it comes to him being in the middle of a bipolar episode, I’ll do everything to be supportive and help to calm the situation.”
SIBLING SUPPORT
Pals say Kim’s understanding is what has helped them reunite and make their marriage even stronger. As Closer previously reported, the couple’s friend, celebrity pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr – who married them in
2014 – had been helping them weather the storm. Kim also had the support and advice of her sister Kourtney, 41, who was with the father of her three children, Scott Disick, on and off, for almost a decade.
The source says, “Kim got pastor Rich on a call with
Kanye to remind them both of their faith, the vows they took, and asked for advice on getting through hardships. He told them how they both need to take responsibility for the marriage – and Kim recognised that she needed to be more present, but that Kanye also needs to make sure they’re regularly spending time and checking in with each other.
“Meanwhile, Kourtney has been a saviour to Kim, giving her a lot of self-help books that she read when she was going through similar issues with Scott. Kim has felt really supported by her friends and family throughout all this, which she’s really grateful for.
“Kourtney suggested Kim read Heart Talk by Cleo Wade, which is all about learning to lead a better life, and it’s been the key to Kim and Kanye’s turnaround.”
PREVIOUS ORDEALS
❛ THEY’RE IN A BETTER PLACE. KANYE REALISED HE DOESN’T WANT TO LOSE WHAT HE HAS ❜
The couple – who were friends for years before they officially started dating in 2013 – have certainly been through rocky patches before. Kim first became friends with Kanye in 2008, just a year after he lost his mother Donda, who died after a plastic surgery operation. They suffered an ordeal in 2016 in Paris when Kim was robbed at gunpoint of jewellery worth millions.
That same year, Kanye was hospitalised for a “psychiatric emergency” following a bizarre onstage rant. However, they have always emerged stronger together.
Pals say that their four children have helped keep the pair bonded through troubled times. The source says, “Having such a large family has always helped them put things into perspective. Of course, their marriage has been extremely difficult and stressful at times, but they’re both convinced it’s worth fighting for.”
By Daisy McLure