Kris Jenner wells up with tears during tribute to late ex-husband Robert Kardashian at Angel Ball in NYC
Kris Jenner became teary-eyed Monday evening at a New York City cancer fundraiser which included a tribute in memory of her late ex-husband, Robert Kardashian Sr.
The 61-year-old Momager of the Kardashian clan, who was married to the attorney from 1978 until 1991, was seen dabbing her eyes at she sat at a table at Cipriani Wall Street, which played host of the 2016 Angel Ball sponsored by SVEDKA.
Robert tragically passed away at 59 on September 30, 2003 after a battle with esophageal cancer, just two months after receiving the diagnosis.
Goosebumps: Kris Jenner was emotional as her late husband, and father of her four oldest children, Robert Kardashian Sr., was posthumously honored in New York City during a charity ball.
It was a big night as proceeds earmarked toward the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.
The foundation was set up by Grammy-nominated songwriter and philanthropist, Denise Rich in 1996 after her 27-year-old daughter Gabrielle lost her battle with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
Along with Gabrielle's sisters Daniella and Ilona, Denise has created in her memory, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, that funds the best scientific investigators in the US with the hope that less toxic treatments, and ultimately a cure, might be discovered.
The mother-of-six was accompanied to the event by her daughters Kourtney and Khloe, her boyfriend Corey Gamble, and family confidantes Jonathan Cheban and Jason Binn.
The family's brightest shining star, Kim, was slated to attend, but abruptly left New York amid her husband's Kanye West's hospitalization.
Reality: The entertainment professional couldn't help but well up with tears thinking of Robert, who died 13 years ago from esophageal cancer
Reflecting: The mother-of-six sat at a table with friends and family on the emotional night
Strength: The polished show biz pro had her game face on as she took the podium at the 2016 Angel Ball hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation For Cancer Research
Style-makers: Kris was pictured on the stage with fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger at the benefit
Robert remained cordial with Kris throughout her marriage to Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce), which began in 1991.
While Robert's name is posthumously synonymous with his survivors' reality TV empire, he was best associated with his role in the O.J. Simpson trial, as he was a close friend of Simpson, who even called him at the end of his infamous June 1994 car chase in Southern California.
Kardashian subsequently was assigned a spot on Simpson's famed 'Dream Team,' the legal stable that included the late Johnnie Cochran, as well as F. Lee Bailey, Alan Dershowitz, Robert Shapiro and Barry Scheck.
Giving back: The royal family of reality TV donated a generous $250,000 donation toward cancer research at the well-heeled event
Keynote: Kris took the podium at the swanky benefit, showing her charisma and charm
Glam group: Kris posed with (left to right) daughters Khloe and Kourtney, socialite Denise Rich and boyfriend Corey Gamble at the annual gala
His conflicted loyalty to the controversial former football star was even well-portrayed by actor David Schwimmer in this year's award-winning miniseries, The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Robert's conflicted emotions toward his longtime friend eventually manifested into a falling out between the lawyer and his one-time best friend, after Simpson was mad at Kardashian for speaking with author Larry Schiller, who penned the 1997 bestseller American Tragedy with James Willwerth.
While Simpson felt that his longtime confidante had broken the sacred attorney-client privilege vows in his chats with the author, Schiller defended Kardashian for his loyalty to Simpson following the double murder of ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Good guy: By all accounts, Robert was a caring and sensitive father to his children. This older shot showed him with son Rob Jr., and daughters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe
Baby steps: Robert shows his oldest child, Kourtney, how to skate in this shot the socialite posted to her social media page
Kardashian 'stood by O. J. irrespective of how he felt because he felt that nobody else was standing by O. J., not because of his innocence or guilt, but because there was a friendship there,' Schiller told the New York Times in a 2003 obituary of the late legal professional.
The year before, Kardashian admitted in an interview with ABC that he wasn't convinced of Simpson's innocence in the grisly killings.
He said, 'I have doubts. The blood evidence is the biggest thorn in my side; that causes me the greatest problems. So I struggle with the blood evidence.'
Last year, Kris's daughters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian received honors on behalf of their late father from the Armenian Bar Association in Beverly Hills.
Friends: Robert (Left) was played by David Schwimmer in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
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