THE KARDASHIANS have lived in the limelight for decades, but one member of the family tends to shy away from the spotlight.

Fans were stunned to see the Kardashian’s reclusive male sibling, Rob Kardashian, in the background of a video his sister, Khloé Kardashian, posted celebrating her 40th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day.

Khloé Kardashian appeared to be in good spirits as she blew out her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day candles surrounded by family and friends, including her younger brother Rob Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

Khloé Kardashian stunned in a skintight, shimmery mini-dress and matching nude heels as she struck a pose in celebration of her 40th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

Khloé’s brother, Rob Kardashian, and best friend, Malika Haqq, could be seen wearing party hats as they sat next to the reality TV star and Good American founder Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

Khloé Kardashian posted a video on her Instagram on Thursday, June 27, 2024, marking the reality TV star’s 40th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day.

The video included a montage of selfies and videos of Khloé over the years, with some snapshots including her family, friends, and 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, True and Tatum.

The video also included a new photo of Khloé posing in her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day fit, and a short clip of the Good American founder blowing out dozens of candles on an elegant, grey-colored, rose-adorned cake.

Kourtney, Khloé and Kim Kardashian, along with their younger half-sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, have been in the spotlight for almost 20 years Credit: kourtneykardash/Instagram

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a few cameo appearances in the background of Khloé’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day celebration.

The star’s brother, Rob Kardashian, best friend, Malika Haqq, and grandmother, Mary Jo “MJ” Campbell, sat around a formal dining table as she blew out her candles.

Rob Kardashian, pictured at the Sky Beach Club at the Tropicana Las Vegas on May 28, 2016, hasn’t appeared on TV in years and is seldom photographed by paparazzi Credit: Getty

While Malika and MJ regularly appeared on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and its successor, Hulu’s The Kardashians, Rob Kardashian has stayed out of the spotlight in recent years.

While the family has never publicly addressed Rob’s “retirement” from the public eye, they maintain that he’s focused on being a great father.

Rob Kardashian and his now-ex-girlfriend Adrienne Bailon of the Cheetah Girls attend a Celebrity Bowling Night Benefit on July 17, 2008, in Hollywood, California Credit: Getty

Rob co-parents his daughter, Dream Kardashian, with his ex-girlfriend, Angela Renée White, also known as Blac Chyna.

Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna are estranged yet continue to co-parent their daughter, Dream Kardashian, who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 on November 7, 2016Credit: Getty

His social media accounts are relatively dormant, and he only occasionally posts on Instagram.

One of his last posts on the platform was a 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day shoutout to Khloé in 2023.

One of Rob Kardashian’s last posts on Instagram was a 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day message for Khloé’s 39th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day in June 2023Credit: Instagram/robkardashianofficial

While it’s unclear if the entire family continues to support Rob behind the scenes, Khloé has always maintained a close relationship with her younger brother.

Khloe Kardashian jokes brother Rob ‘donated sperm’ for her son Tatum as fans can’t believe she ‘said that out loud’

The duo are both water signs – Khloé is a Cancer, and Rob is a Pisces – which may indicate their closeness, and are only three years apart in age.

“Deeply Grateful For Every Moment,” Khloé captioned the video, alongside a sparkle and white heart emojis.

Khloé and Rob Kardashian have been best friends since 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood, and remain close despite Rob’s desire for a private, low-key lifestyle Credit: Instagram/ Khloe Kardashian

“I love you! I am so excited and thankful for this fresh decade and all it has in store!!!”

The video also used a famous audio, titled “the thing about 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡days,” by Instagram user @eviewhy.

Rob Kardashian is the only male Kardashian sibling, and was named after his late father, Rob Kardashian Sr., who passed away on September 30, 2003 Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

“What they don’t tell you about 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡days is when you turn a year older you’re also all the years that came before that year,” the audio starts.

“I just turned 28, but I’m also still 27, and 26, and 23, and 19, and 11, and seven, and one.”

“When you wake up on your 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day, you expect to feel your new age, but you don’t.”

Rob Kardashian famously treated Lamar Odom like his own older brother, and the duo’s close relationship was documented on E!’s hit show, Khloé & Lamar Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

“You open your eyes and everything is just like yesterday, only it’s today, and you don’t feel your new age at all.”

“I still feel like I’m 27, and I am, underneath the year that makes me 28.”

“See one day, I may say something stupid, and that’s the part of me that’s 19, or maybe some days I don’t trust myself, and that’s the part of me that’s 23.”

Rob Kardashian was just 16 years old when his father passed away, and spent his teenage years raised by his mother and stepfather  Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

“And for no reason at all, I need to cry like a little 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦, and that’s the part of me that’s one.”

“Because the way we grow older is kinda like an onion, each year inside the next one, and our 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡days are just a celebration of all the years that came before, and a welcoming of the next.”

Khloé also shared several 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day shoutouts on her Instagram Stories, including 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day messages from Fabletics, Jen Atkin, Lala, Foodgod, and her own brand, Good American.

Rob Kardashian famously appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2011, he was paired with Cheryl Burke during the show’s 13th season Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

Corey Gamble, Sabrina Porsche, Kourtney Kardashian, Khadijah Haqq, Tracy Romulus, Ellen Degeneres, Simon Huck, and Kris Jenner rounded out the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day shoutouts.

Rob’s daughter, Dream, also made Khloé a poster card filled with photos of the duo.

Rob Kardashian can be seen cheering in the background of Khloé’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day video, which also shows her grandmother, MJ, presumably taking a video of her own Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

“Happy Birthday Auntie Koko,” the card read.

“You are the best, I love you Koko,” Dream added.

Rob Kardashian’s daughter Dream Kardashian gave her aunt, Khloé Kardashian, a larger-than-life 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day card, complete with photos of the duo and a sweet message Credit: Instagram/khloekardashian

Khloé even received a special 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day video message from Dolly Parton.

“You guys…she knows my name, she knows my name, oh my gosh!” the star squealed.

Inside Rob Kardashian’s life away from fame

Rob Kardashian is known for his famous family, but has followed a very different path from his sisters.

1987

Rob was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 to Kris Jenner and Robert Kardashian Sr.

Robert rose to fame while acting as the defence attorney for his friend O.J. Simpson during the latter’s trial for double murder.

2007

Rob and his sisters Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kylie appeared on their family’s show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, along with their mom Kris Jenner and her second husband Caitlyn Jenner.

While the show ran for 20 seasons Rob only appeared as a main star for the first 8, before stepping back to a guest role.

2014

Rob’s sister Kim got married to Kanye West, but Rob didn’t make an appearance at the wedding due to discomfort with his weight.

“I was doing my suit fittings in Paris right before the wedding and I just wasn’t comfortable,” he told People in 2020.

“There were cameras at the airport on our trip there and I

was very unhappy with the person I saw in all the pictures.”

2015-16

Rob was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2015, and undertook a massive listyle overhaul.

On September 11, 2016, his show Rob & Chyna – with then-partner Blac Chyna – premiered.

The couple welcomed daughter Dream on November 10, 2016.

Just a couple of months later in December, Rob and Chyna announced their separation.

2017

Rob and Chyna became embroiled in very public disputes, with Rob ultimately banned from Instagram for ‘revenge porn.’

For years, Rob stayed out of the public eye.

2020

Rob showed off his major weight loss as he made rare public appearances for his sisters’ 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day parties.

A source hinted at Rob’s mental health, claiming he was feeling “happier and healthier.”

“[Rob] had a lot of work to do when it comes to his health and he continues to be very committed,” they told People.

2024

Despite Rob’s slight return back to the public eye, the star has only made very brief cameos on his family’s social media pages and their new show, The Kardashians.