Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Katherine von Drachenberg, more popularly known by her professional name Kat Von D, is a Mexican-born Argentinian-American tattoo artist, reality television star, actress, recording artist, model, author, and entrepreneur.
Kat von D is widely recognized for her role as a tattoo artist on the reality television show ‘LA Ink.’ The show, which was aired on the TLC channel, premiered in the United States on August 7, 2007. It run for four seasons before production stopped and Kat went on to venture into other things.
Kat Von D Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Katherine von Drachenberg |
| Popular Name: | Kat Von D |
| Nicknames: | N/A |
| Birth Date: | March 8, 1982 |
| Age: | 41 years |
| Parents: | Sylvia Drachenberg and René Drachenberg |
| Siblings: | Michael von Drachenberg and Karoline von Drachenberg |
| Birth Place: | Montemorelos, Mexico |
| Nationality: | Argentinian and American |
| Ethnicity: | Mixed (German, Italian, Spanish, and Indigenous) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Education: | Provo Canyon School |
| Marital Status: | Married to artist Rafael Reyes (since February 21, 2018); was previously married to fellow tattoo artist Oliver Peck (from 2003 until their divorce in 2007); was also romantically linked to Alex “Orbi” Orbison (from 2007 until their breakup in early 2008), Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx (from 2008 until their breakup in January 2010), West Coast Choppers CEO and reality television personality Jesse James (from 2010 until their breakup in 2011), and Canadian Music producer Joel Zimmerman (from September 2012 until their breakup in June 2013) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | Leafar Von D Reyes |
| Net Worth: | USD 30 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Tattoo Creation, Reality Television Appearances, Acting, Music, Modeling, Writing, and Entrepreneurship |
| Height: | 5′ 8″ (1.76 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 61 kg; In pounds: 134 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Katherine von Drachenberg was born on March 8, 1982, in Montemorelos, Mexico, to Sylvia Drachenberg and René Drachenberg. Her parents worked as missionaries for the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Von Drachenberg attended Provo Canyon School. However, she dropped out of school and opted to pursue her career as a tattoo artist.
Tattoo Career
Kat von D was always fascinated by tattoos. She got her first tattoo when she was 14 years old. Two years later, she quit school to become a tattoo career.
Von D eventually became one of America’s most celebrated tattoo artists. She has tattooed thousands of clients, including high-profile Hollywood celebrities. She has also tattooed herself with the emblems of numerous bands, such as HIM, Misfits, Slayer, ZZ Top, Guns N’ Roses, Turbonegro, AC/DC, and Kent, to mention but a few.
Reality Television and Acting Career
Kat von D banked on her success as a tattoo artist to launch her reality television career. She made her reality TV debut in a season one episode of ‘Miami Ink’ in 2005.
Von D landed an opportunity to star in Miami Ink as a replacement for another main cast member who had injured his arm. But thanks to her superb performance, she was offered a chance to star in the show as a full-time cast member. She went on to appear in a total of three seasons.
After leaving Miami Ink, Kat von D landed an opportunity to star in another reality television show, this time in her own reality TV show called LA Ink. LA Ink premiered in the US on August 7, 2007, and run on the TLC channel for four seasons. It mainly chronicled Von D’s efforts in running her Hollywood-based tattoo shop known as Voltage Tattoo.
Kat von D has appeared in many other television shows over the years. Examples include Pimp My Ride (2004), MADtv (2008), I Love Jenni (2013), and Life in Pieces (2016). Von D has also landed a few film roles, including The Bleeding (2009) and Lemmy (2010). She also narrated the documentary ‘Dominion.’
Music Career
Kat von D also dabbles in music. In May 2021, Von D released her first single “Exorcism” off her debut studio album ‘Love Made Me Do It.’
She has also appeared in the music videos of several artists and bands. Notable ones include videos to the singles “Killing Loneliness” by HIM, “Help Me” by Alkaline Trio, “Black Leather” by Cholo Goth band Prayers, and “Black Blood Red Kiss” by GUNSHIP.
Other Ventures
Kat Von D is also a model and author. Von D has modeled for several brands over the years.
Her first book, titled ‘High Voltage Tattoo,’ was published in 2009 and reached #6 on the New York Times Best Seller list. She subsequently followed up with another book called ‘The Tattoo Chronicles,’ which reached #3 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Kat von D’s Net Worth
Kat von D is undoubtedly one of America’s most successful tattoo artists. As at November 1, 2022, Von D had a net worth of $30 million.
As a tattoo artist, Kat von D is best known for her Hollywood-based tattoo shop called High Voltage Tattoo. Von D has also been a long-term business partner with Sephora, beginning in 2008 when she launched her debut makeup line with the brand.
The tattoo artist also started her own eponymous beauty brand. She later sold the company in 2020 to LVMH.
Von D’s income also comes from reality television appearances, acting, singing, modeling, and writing.
Lessons from Kat Von D
1. Success demands sacrifice
Kat von D has made a number of sacrifices to become the celebrated tattoo artist she is today. A notable mention is when she decided to quit alcohol to focus on her tattoo career.
2. Do not stay where you’re unappreciated
Von D places personal fulfillment above salary considerations when taking up a job offer. She doesn’t mind quitting a well-paying opportunity if she feels her efforts are unappreciated.
3. Everyone makes mistakes
Kat von D stirred controversy in June 2018 when she expressed reservations about vaccinating her future child. She would later recant and apologize for these remarks, saying she was uninformed about the science of vaccination at the time she made those controversial statements.
Famous Quotes by Kat von D
• As far as skincare goes, I’m from the school of ‘you are what you eat.’ I always promote a vegan lifestyle, not just because it’s great for our environment and for humanity, but because if you cut out dairy, for example, there’s scientific proof that it can actually help your complexion.
• I already know what it’s like to make life choices that are not the same as the majority.
• I’m a stickler when it comes to every aspect of my line. My development team probably hates working with me sometimes… but in a good way. I think that I push them to a certain degree to create something that’s going to withstand the test of time.
• Years of cultural programming have taught us to love some animals while eating others, when in all reality, all animals are sentient beings with the capacity to feel, both physically and emotionally. Every day, I have the choice to live a life of compassion that not only saves animals but helps the environment.
• You can tell my mood by my makeup. When I’m depressed, it’s really dark. Then I’ll do super-dumb happy makeup. Like, I’ll do one eye electric blue and one smoky brown, and you won’t even figure it out until you’re talking to me – then you’re like, ‘Whoa!’
Wrap Up
Kat Von D is not only one of America’s most talented tattoo artists. She’s also one of the richest, as is testament to her $30 million net worth.
