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Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Kat Von D

Kat Von D was born on 8^th March 1982 to René Drachenberg and Sylvia Galeano. Born in Montemorelos city in Nuevo León, Mexico, Von D indicated in a 2016 Popsugar article that their home did not have running water or electricity. She also indicated that their family had moved there for her father to work as a missionary doctor.

Describing some of her earliest memories as running around barefoot on the dirt, Von D also stated that as a child, she was bathed in a plastic bucket. Along with other members of the Seventh-Day-Adventist faith, Von D’s family immigrated to Loma Linda in California when she was 6 years old.

At the age of 14, Von D gave her first tattoo to a friend. Using a DIY tattoo gun made from a motor meant for a cassette player and a guitar string, Von D gave her friend a tattoo of a small Misfit’s skull. Von D later dropped out of high school two years later and got a job at Sin City in California. Her parents supported her art but struggled to accept her choice of career.

Below are ten incredible facts about Kat Von D.

1. She gave her first tattoo at the age of 14 years old

Kat Von D, of LA Ink, at the 2007 Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival held in the Calgary Roundup Centre, Canada. Photo by Thivierr/

Using a tattoo machine made of a guitar string and a cassette player motor, Von D gave her first tattoo. At only 14 years old, Von D tattooed a skull on one of her friends.

Two years later at the age of 16, Von D dropped out of school. She got a job at Sin City Tattoo, a tattoo parlour in LA.

2. There is a Guinness World Record with her name on it

Guinness World Records logo. Photo by Guinness World Records/

In 2008, Von D earned a Guinness World Record. This was for the highest number of tattoos given in a day. She gave four hundred tattoos that day.

Hundreds of people lined up outside the LA tattoo parlour to get a tattoo. She gave the tattoos on a first come first served basis. Each person paid USD 20 (14 GBP) for the tattoo.

3. She does not like tattooed makeup

While speaking to The Gloss, Von D said that some people were licenced as tattoo artists after about two weeks. She did not think this was right especially for someone who would be holding a tattoo gun close to someone’s eye.

Von D does not like micro-bladed brows. She however feels that makeup is seasonal and changes. Von D considers that dynamism cool.

4. She is against animal cruelty and is a vegan

Vegan meal. Photo by Sonny Mauricio on

Apart from the amazing looks she creates and hanging out with her husband, there is something else that stands out on Von D’s social media. She is against animal cruelty and is an activist for veganism.

For several years, Von D has been working on a vegan shoe line. The shoes will come in US sizes 5 to 12. The 28-style collection will come in a range of styles including slip-ons, flats and platform heels. The shoes are Italian handmade. They are vegan, and cruelty-free but look like leather.

5. She is meticulous in the designs for her line’s packaging

Von D is involved in the artwork of the packaging for her beauty line. She has stated that she micro-manages the process and ensures the work is done just right.

In an interview with Pages Digital, Von D said she treats every artwork like a tattoo. She takes into consideration the muscle structure and looks at where the lines land on the body.

6. She will not let anyone see her without makeup

Image of cosmetics and tools. Photo by KaurJmeb/

According to Von D, one of the benefits of being a girl is having the choice of dressing up and wearing makeup. She considers it an autistic outlet.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Von D said that not being seen without makeup is not an insecurity thing. The 45 minutes it takes Von D to get ready, she said is very therapeutic for her.

She also said it’s difficult for her to start the day without that process. Von D said that those who cannot leave the house without doing their eyebrows are not alone.

In 2019, Von D told Dazed Digital that she fell in love with the drama and theatrics of make-up. She added that to express what was going on inside, she used beauty products as an outward expression.

7. The eyeliner is her favourite makeup product

A shade of green eyeliner. Photo by Makeups/

Von D’s brand’s signature products are eyeliners. The Sephora best-selling item is The Tattoo Liner. Von D also has the first-ever long-wear eyeliner. Known as the Lash Liner, this eyeliner is a liquid, vegan formula.

When speaking to the Washington Post, Von D, said she create 40 different looks with eyeliner. It does not matter if the eyeliner is pencil or liquid. The eyeliner is Von D’s favourite product. With that, she can do her eyes, eyebrows, and lips as well as contouring.

8. She did not graduate high school

It is still not clear if Von D graduated high school. It is however known that she dropped out at a very young age. Von D is nonetheless considered an intelligent person.

9. She has been engaged several times in the past

Oliver Peck at Vans book release party. Photo by Jared Eberhardt/

Von D’s dating life has been quite intense. She has been engaged four times in the past. In addition to her engagements, Von D was married to Oliver Peck.

Joel Zimmerman was one of Von D’s fiancés. He proposed to her on a Twitter status. A few months later, the engagement was broken off and the tweets also disappeared.

10. She personally reviews every aspect of her business

Assortment of women’s footwear. Photo by Jaclyn Moy on

It has been said that Von D has indicated that she micromanages aspects of her business. She reviews every aspect be it makeup marketing, the new line of shoes or ensuring she has a strong presence on social media. This helps ensure her brand consistency.