Overview

Katherine von Drachenberg, most famously known as Kat Von D, is a Mexican-born Argentinian-American tattoo artist, model, musician, entrepreneur, and television personality. She gained prominence through her appearances on reality TV shows Miami Ink and LA Ink. Beyond tattooing, Kat Von D launched her own cosmetics company, Kat Von D Beauty, later selling it to Kendo Brands, which rebranded it as KVD Vegan Beauty. She has also ventured into music, releasing her debut album ‘Love Made Me Do It’ in 2021, and collaborated with various artists. Furthermore, she is an author of bestselling books about tattoo art and her creative process. Kat has also established the MusInk Tattoo Convention and Music Festival, and founded an art gallery and boutique called Wonderland Gallery. In 2021, Kat closed her famous LA-based tattoo parlor High Voltage and moved to rural Indiana with her family.

KVD Vegan Beauty (formerly Kat Von D Beauty)

Founder (formerly)

What Is Kat Von D’s Net Worth?

Kat Von D, born Katherine von Drachenberg on March 8, 1982, has cultivated a substantial net worth estimated at $25 million. This fortune is the result of her diverse career encompassing reality television, entrepreneurship, and tattoo artistry.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Kat Von D’s journey began in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, before her family moved to Colton, California, when she was four. By age 16, she dropped out of high school to dedicate herself to becoming a tattoo artist. Her early career involved stints at various tattoo parlors, honing her skills and building a reputation within the tattoo community. Von D’s breakthrough came in 2005 when she joined the reality TV show “Miami Ink” during its first season. Initially brought in as a replacement artist, she quickly became a prominent cast member, appearing in a total of three seasons. Her talent and on-screen presence led to her own spin-off show, “LA Ink,” which premiered in 2007. “LA Ink” centered around her tattoo shop, High Voltage Tattoo, located in Hollywood. During the show’s run, Kat Von D achieved a record by tattooing 400 people in 24 hours.

Ventures Beyond Television

While “LA Ink” boosted her fame, Kat Von D diversified her career beyond television. In 2008, she launched her makeup line with Sephora, a partnership that continued for many years. The collaboration included annual releases of new cosmetics lines, leveraging her image and brand. Furthermore, she founded her own beauty brand, Kat Von D Beauty, known for its vegan and cruelty-free products. In 2020, she sold Kat Von D Beauty to LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate. This sale marked a significant financial transaction, although the specific terms were not publicly disclosed. In addition to cosmetics, Kat Von D established the Musink Tattoo Convention and Music Festival in 2008. Held annually in Southern California, Musink combines tattoo artistry with live musical performances, attracting a wide audience. Her other business ventures included a vegan shoe line, further showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and brand extension.

Literary Works

Kat Von D has also made her mark as an author. Her first book, “High Voltage Tattoo,” published in 2009, reached the number six spot on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book provided insights into her life, career, and artistic philosophy. Her second book, “The Tattoo Chronicles,” an illustrated diary, performed even better, reaching the third spot on the Best Seller list. These literary achievements contributed to her income and cemented her status as a multi-faceted artist.

Real Estate Investments

Kat Von D has invested in several notable real estate properties. In 2011, she purchased a Gothic mansion in Los Angeles for $2.175 million. The property, located in the Windsor Square neighborhood, featured 4,148 square feet of living space, a gated driveway, and a guesthouse, with architectural details dating back to the 1920s. She listed this home for sale in 2013 with an asking price of $2.5 million but did not find a buyer at the time. She re-listed it in July 2020 for $3.4 million. In 2016, Kat Von D acquired another home in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. This 11-bedroom mansion, known for its appearance in the film “Cheaper by the Dozen,” has a rich history, dating back to the 1890s, and was moved to its current location in 1915. The property spans 27,000 square feet and includes over 12,000 square feet of living space and a pool. She purchased this property for $6.5 million, below the original $8.195 million asking price. In January 2022, Kat Von D listed her LA home for $15 million. She ultimately accepted $7.75 million in May 2023. These real estate transactions reflect her investment strategies and contribute to her overall net worth.

Relationships

Kat Von D’s personal life has been highly publicized. She was married to tattoo artist Oliver Peck in 2003, and their divorce was finalized in 2007. Subsequently, she had a relationship with Alex Orbison, the son of singer Roy Orbison, which was documented on “LA Ink.” Later, she dated Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx for two years and had an on-and-off relationship with Jesse James. She was also engaged to Joel Zimmerman, known as Deadmau5, but the relationship ended before they married. In 2018, Kat Von D married Rafael Reyes, a musician and member of the band Prayers. They had their first child together in the same year. While these relationships don’t directly impact her net worth, they have influenced her public image and brand associations.

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