You’ve probably seen the name pop up during a mid-season episode of The Kardashians or caught a glimpse of a birthday tribute on Instagram. Amari Tristan Thompson isn’t just a "famous sibling" in the way we usually think about it. He isn't out here trying to launch a tequila brand or walking runways in Milan. Instead, his life is a raw, deeply human story about family loyalty that exists far away from the NBA courts or reality TV lighting.
Honestly, it’s a story that shifted how a lot of people view the Kardashian-Thompson dynamic. When Andrea Thompson, the mother of Tristan and Amari, passed away suddenly from a heart attack in early 2023, the family's world flipped. Amari was only 16 at the time.
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Who Is Amari Tristan Thompson?
Amari was born on July 27, 2006, in Toronto, Canada. He is the youngest of the Thompson brothers. Growing up, he wasn't able to play basketball like his older brothers, Tristan and Dishawn. From a very young age, Amari was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).
For those who don't spend their days reading medical journals, LGS is an incredibly severe, rare form of epilepsy. It’s not just "having seizures." It’s much more intense than that. It starts in childhood and brings along multiple types of seizures that can happen dozens of times a day.
Life with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Because of his condition, Amari is non-verbal. He uses a wheelchair for mobility and requires 24/7 care. He can't feed himself, bathe himself, or live independently. It’s a lot. Tristan has often spoken about how their mother, Andrea, was the "rock" of the family, dedicating every single second of her life to making sure Amari was comfortable and loved.
When she died, the immediate question was: What happens to Amari?
The Guardianship Shift in Los Angeles
By September 2023, Tristan Thompson officially filed for legal guardianship of his brother. It was a massive move. Before this, the brothers were living in Toronto, but after the tragedy, Tristan moved Amari to California.
In the court filings, some pretty heavy stuff came out. Tristan claimed that their father, Trevor Thompson, had been absent from Amari’s life since roughly 2014. Because of that, Tristan was legally the closest living relative capable of providing care.
The court eventually granted Tristan sole guardianship and conservatorship in early 2024. This gave him the authority to:
- Manage Amari’s medical care and healthcare providers.
- Oversee his day-to-day routine and personal hygiene.
- Manage Amari’s inheritance from their mother (estimated at about $103,475).
- Apply for U.S. citizenship for Amari, since he was born in Canada.
Why Khloé Kardashian Stepped In
This is where things get interesting for the public. Even though Khloé and Tristan aren't together—and we all know that history has been... complicated—Khloé became Amari’s primary daily caretaker.
Tristan is a pro athlete. He’s in a different city every other night. He’s on planes, in hotels, and at practices. That kind of life just doesn't work for someone with LGS. High altitudes and constant travel can trigger more frequent seizures. It’s risky.
So, Amari moved in with Khloé.
She hasn't been shy about it, either. On her podcast Khloé in Wonder Land, she explained that her commitment to Amari has nothing to do with her romantic relationship with Tristan. It’s about the promise she made to Andrea. They were close friends. Like, "call-each-other-every-day" close.
The Real Daily Routine
Khloé has two caretakers, Noel and Alba, who help with the heavy lifting, but she’s the one overseeing the household. She’s mentioned that her kids, True and Tatum, are around Amari all the time. She actually thinks it’s vital for them to be exposed to people with different abilities. It teaches them compassion.
There was a bit of a "scandal" (if you can call it that) when Kim Kardashian asked her kids if they were "scared" of Amari during his 18th birthday party. Fans on Reddit went wild, calling it "tone-deaf." But Khloé shut that down pretty quickly, saying that True is more concerned than frightened and that Amari is a "special soul" who lights up when the kids are around.
The Financial Side: The Amari Thompson Fund
Long before the reality TV cameras were focused on this, Tristan was actually doing the work. Back in 2013, he founded the Amari Thompson Fund. He’s worked closely with Epilepsy Toronto to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Most people assume celebrity charities are just for tax breaks, but this one feels personal. Tristan has hosted "Amari Thompson Soirees" for years. It’s one of the few times he’s really vulnerable in public, talking about how his mom taught him that being "blessed" means you have a "duty" to help others who can't help themselves.
Actionable Insights: Supporting Loved Ones with Epilepsy
If you're reading this because someone in your family is dealing with a diagnosis like LGS or severe epilepsy, here are a few things that the Thompson family's experience highlights:
- Legal Prep is Everything: If you are a primary caregiver for a disabled adult, having a "successor guardian" named in a will or estate plan is non-negotiable. The legal battle Tristan had to go through to get guardianship in a different country (U.S. vs. Canada) was lengthy and expensive.
- Environment Matters: Khloé mentioned that California weather is actually better for Amari’s health than the harsh Toronto winters. Sometimes, the physical climate can impact seizure frequency.
- Routine is Safety: For LGS patients, consistency is a form of medicine. Constant travel (like an NBA schedule) is often a no-go.
- Support Systems: Don't try to be a martyr. Khloé uses professional caretakers. If you can afford help or qualify for state-funded home health aides, take it. Burnout is the biggest threat to the patient's safety.
Amari Tristan Thompson just turned 18 in 2024, a milestone many doctors didn't think he'd reach given the severity of his syndrome. Whether you love or hate the Kardashian circus, it's hard to argue with the fact that this kid is being taken care of by a village that genuinely seems to want the best for him.
Keep an eye on organizations like Epilepsy Toronto or the Epilepsy Foundation if you want to support families who don't have "Kardashian money" to handle these kinds of medical costs. They are the ones providing the real boots-on-the-ground help for families living with LGS every day.