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Kim Kardashian has opened up about a health condition affecting her esophagus, revealing the diagnosis in the latest trailer for the eighth season of The Kardashians.
The reality television star made the disclosure in a trailer released on September 17, where she is shown lying in a hospital bed. Kim tells those around her that she has been diagnosed with esophagitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the esophagus.
The revelation takes on added significance because of her family's history. During the trailer, someone off camera asks whether the condition is connected to what caused the death of Kim's father, Robert Kardashian. Kim confirms the reference.
Robert Kardashian, a prominent American attorney and father of Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Rob Kardashian, died from esophageal cancer in 2003 at the age of 59.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, esophagitis involves swelling and irritation of the tissues lining the esophagus. The condition can have several causes and, if left untreated in some cases, may contribute to complications such as Barrett's esophagus, which is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
Robert's death has remained an important part of the Kardashian family's story. His children have spoken publicly about the impact of losing him, particularly because of how quickly his illness progressed.
Khloe Kardashian discussed her father's death during an episode of her podcast Khloe in Wonder Land in April 2025. She recalled that Robert was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died only several weeks later. She also spoke about the guilt and anger she experienced as a teenager because she felt she had not spent enough time with him.
Over the years, however, Khloe said she was eventually able to come to terms with her grief. She credited conversations about her father during the family's early reality television years with helping her release some of the guilt surrounding his death.
The Kardashian siblings have also transformed their experience of loss into a wider effort to support research and treatment. In 2019, they helped establish the UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health, a medical centre focused on research, diagnosis and treatment involving disorders of the esophagus.
Kim previously spoke about the significance of the centre during The Kardashians, saying her family could not save their father's life because of the limitations and circumstances surrounding his illness at the time. She said they could, however, contribute toward helping others receive better treatment.
Her latest disclosure brings the family's history with esophageal disease back into the spotlight, while also demonstrating how personal health experiences continue to feature in the family's long running television series.
The full circumstances surrounding Kim's diagnosis and treatment are expected to be explored further when the new season of The Kardashians premieres.
