Fans were thrilled when it appeared that Khloé Kardashian [1] had finally found true love with Tristan Thompson [2], but it didn't take long for their love story to sour. The relationship started off [3] playful and carefree in late 2016, as the two enjoyed romantic outings and holidays in places like Cabo San Lucas, and things quickly turned more serious in December 2017, when the pair announced they were expecting [4] a child together. While the birth of their daughter [5], True, in April 2018 was a dream come true for Kardashian, her happy news was overshadowed by the first of several cheating scandals with Thompson at the centre. Take a look back at Kardashian and Thompson's relationship timeline — how things started, what went down in their nearly six-year relationship, and how things ultimately ended.
September 2016: Kardashian and Thompson Start Dating
After being spotted out together the month before, a source told People [6] in September 2016 that Kardashian and Thompson were officially dating, saying: "It's unclear for now if it's going to turn [into] anything super serious, but for now they're having a good time together."
October 2016: Kardashian Makes Her Relationship With Thompson Instagram Official
Kardashian subtly confirmed her relationship with Thompson in a sweet social media post that showed a photo of her hand on top of his, with the NBA player showing off his Cleveland Cavaliers' championship ring.
January 2017: Kardashian and Thompson Spend the Holiday Season Together
Kardashian rang in 2017 with her new beau in Cleveland. She documented their PDA-packed night on Instagram alongside an encouraging message for her followers. "Happy New Year!!! May you always be surrounded by the love you are deserving of!" she wrote. "May Gods blessings continue to rain on us all!"
April 2017: Kardashian Expresses Her Hopes For a Future With Thompson
"I would love to have a family. We've talked about it," Kardashian shared during an interview with ES Magazine [7], where she also said she would say yes if Thompson asked her to marry him. "He [already] is a father, and I know for a fact that he would be an impeccable father."
June 2017: Thompson Surprises Kardashian For Her Birthday
Thompson pulled out all of the stops to make his girlfriend's 33rd birthday one to remember. "My birthday was incredible!" Kardashian captioned a photo of her and Thompson holding hands. "Dream like almost! It's actually hard to put into words how special I feel and it's mainly because of this man right here! Thank you baby for treating me like a Queen every single day! Thank you to all of my friends and family for helping surprise me and for being the best anyone could ask for!!"
December 2017: Kardashian and Thompson Announce They're Expecting a Child
Two months after multiple outlets including People and Us Weekly reported that Kardashian was pregnant, the pair announced their happy news on Instagram [8].
"My greatest dream realised! We are having a baby!" Kardashian gushed alongside a photo of Thompson cradling her bare belly. "I had been waiting and wondering, but God had a plan all along. He knew what He was doing. I simply had to trust in Him and be patient. I still at times can't believe that our love created life! Tristan, thank you for loving me the way that you do! Thank you for treating me like a Queen! Thank you for making me feel beautiful at all stages! Tristan, most of all, Thank you for making me a MOMMY!!!"
Later, in March, days before Thompson and Kardashian celebrated their baby-to-be at a lavish baby shower [9], the reality star announced on Twitter [10] that they were expecting a baby girl.
April 2018: Thompson Accused of Cheating on Kardashian
Days before Kardashian was due to give birth to their daughter, Thompson was spotted with a mystery woman in New York City. In photos obtained by Daily Mail [11], the athlete could be seen speaking closely, or even possibly kissing, the woman.
The photos were followed by videos from TMZ and The Shade Room [12] which showed Thompson entering an NYC hotel room with the same woman around 5 a.m. That same day, TMZ released footage from October 2017 which showed Thompson kissing one woman [13] and inappropriately touching another during a night out at a hookah lounge near Washington D.C.
April 12, 2018: Kardashian and Thompson's Daughter, True Thompson, Is Born
Two days after news of Thompson's reported cheating made headlines, Kardashian gave birth to their daughter.
"Our little girl, True Thompson, has completely stolen our hearts and we are overwhelmed with LOVE," Kardashian announced on Instagram. "Such a blessing to welcome this angel into the family! Mommy and Daddy loooooove you True!"
May 2018 - New Year's 2019: Kardashian and Thompson Make Long Distance Work
Despite the ongoing cheating scandal that surrounded Thompson, Kardashian was reportedly determined to make things work. "She is committed to keeping her family together," a source told People [14] in May. "And Tristan has shown that he is committed to Khloé, so Khloé will make it work."
Later, in the Fall, Thompson headed back to Cleveland, where he was playing for the Cavaliers, while Kardashian and True stayed in Los Angeles [15], though they'd travel to Ohio often to see him.
After months of speculation about where the couple stood following the cheating scandal, Kardashian and Thompson proved they were still together as they rang in the new year together in Cleveland. Kardashian even posted an Instagram Story of them sharing a midnight kiss [16].
February - March 2019: Thompson Is Accused of Kissing Kardashian Family Friend Jordyn Woods
While it seemed Thompson and Kardashian had overcome their hardships, the couple hit another bump in the road when reports claiming the athlete cheated again [17], this time by kissing Kylie Jenner's BFF Jordyn Woods at a party, surfaced.
After Woods told her side of the scandal during a March episode of Jada Pinkett Smith [18]'s Red Table Talk, Kardashian spoke out on Twitter. [19] "Why are you lying @jordynwoods ??" she wrote. "If you're going to try and save yourself by going public, INSTEAD OF CALLING ME PRIVATELY TO APOLOGIZE FIRST, at least be HONEST about your story. BTW, You ARE the reason my family broke up!"
Kardashian placed blame on Thompson, adding: "Tristan is equally to blame but Tristan is the father of my child. Regardless of what he does to me I won't do that to my daughter. He has been addressing this situation PRIVATELY. If Tristan were to lie publicly about what conspired, then yes I would address him publicly as well."
December 2019: Kardashian and Thompson Are Just Co-Parents
During an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kardashian revealed that there was no longer anything romantic going on between her and Thompson, despite their friendship.
August 2020: Kardashian and Thompson Get Back Together
During the coronavirus pandemic, Kardashian and Thompson spent a lot of time together at home with True, leading them to reportedly give their relationship another shot. "Khloé is hopeful that Tristan has changed for good and will continue to grow and be the great and loyal partner that he has been throughout their time together during the [coronavirus] quarantine," a source told Us Weekly [20] at the time. The source added that Kardashian would "love" to have another baby with the athlete.
March 2021: Kardashian and Thompson Are Still Going Strong
If there was any doubt that Kardashian and Thompson hadn't rekindled their romance, the reality star put that to rest when she penned a heartfelt tribute to True's dad on his 30th birthday. [21] "The ones that are meant to be are the ones who go through everything that is designed to tear them apart and they came out even stronger than they were before," she wrote. "Thank you for showing me everything you said you would. For the father you are. For the best friend I have in you. I'm thankful that I can do absolutely nothing with you and it feels like everything. I hope you know today and everyday how loved you are by me and so many."
June 2021: Kardashian and Thompson Split Amid More Cheating Rumours
People [22] confirmed Kardashian and Thompson once again split just months after model Sydney Chase claimed she slept with Thompson while he was still in a relationship with Kardashian (claims Thompson denied [23]).
June 2021: A Special Shoutout to Kardashian
Despite news of their second breakup days prior, Thompson celebrated Kardashian on her birthday. "Happy birthday @khloekardashian," he wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for being not just an amazing partner, mommy and best friend but also being the kindest, caring and most loving human being I've ever met. Your love and spirit is contagious to all who've met you. Thank you for always being there for me and putting our family first. I love you so much. Have an amazing day."
December 2021 - January 2022: Thompson Admits He Fathered Maralee Nichols' Baby
In early December 2021, personal trainer Maralee Nichols filed a paternity lawsuit against Tristan Thompson [24] claiming he was the father of her newborn baby, which, If true, would mean they had relations when he was still in a relationship with Kardashian.
A month later, the NBA player confirmed the news on Instagram, writing: "Today, paternity test results reveal that I fathered a child with Maralee Nichols. I take full responsibility for my actions. Now that paternity has been established, I look forward to amicably raising our son," he began his lengthy statement. I sincerely apologise to everyone I've hurt or disappointed throughout this ordeal both publicly and privately."
