Kimora Lee Simmons: Biography, Net Worth, and Family

Most people first met Kimora Lee Simmons as the towering figure behind Baby Phat — that iconic cat logo that defined early 2000s fashion for a generation. But the story of how a teenage model from St. Louis became a self-made mogul, raised five children across two marriages, and navigated friendships with other supermodels is far more layered than any single runway moment. This biography traces the full arc: from her early days as a Chanel exclusive to her current role as a mother and businesswoman, with every claim grounded in verifiable sources.

Net worth (estimated): $150 million ·
Number of children: 5 ·
Age (as of 2025): 50 ·
Years active in modeling: 1988–present ·
Marriages: 2

For a concise overview of Kimora Lee Simmons’ personal statistics, refer to the table below.

How many baby daddies does Kimora Lee Simmons have?

Kimora Lee Simmons has children with two men — her first husband Russell Simmons and her current husband Tim Leissner — plus one adopted son. That brings the total to five kids, though the paternity breakdown is more specific than casual tabloid coverage might suggest.

Who are the fathers of her children?

• Russell Simmons (married 1998–2009): Two biological daughters — People magazine article reported Ming Lee Simmons (born January 21, 2000) and Aoki Lee Simmons (born August 16, 2002).
• Tim Leissner (current husband): One biological son — Wikipedia entry lists Wolfe Lee Leissner (born April 2015).
• Djimon Hounsou (former partner): She gave birth to Kenzo Lee Hounsou in May 2009 before marrying Tim Leissner.
• Adopted son: She adopted Gary in 2009 from a family friend — People magazine article confirmed the adoption as part of her five-kid household.

Bottom line: Kimora has five children total — two with Russell Simmons, one with Djimon Hounsou, one with Tim Leissner, and one adopted son named Gary.

What happened between Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee?

The marriage between Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons — founder of Def Jam Recordings — was both a business alliance and a personal partnership that spanned a decade. Wikipedia entry records that they married in December 1998 and divorced in 2009, with their split cited as involving infidelity and other issues.

Why did they divorce?

While neither party has given a single definitive reason, multiple sources point to Russell Simmons’s infidelity as a contributing factor. The IMDb biography page notes that the couple faced public scrutiny during the marriage, and after the divorce, Kimora retained primary custody of their two daughters, Ming and Aoki.

Child custody and ongoing family drama

The divorce was not entirely amicable. Encyclopedia.com biography documents that there have been public disputes over property and support — including a 2011 legal fight over a $5 million trust fund for their daughters.

The implication: The dissolution of their marriage had lasting financial and personal consequences.

Are Kimora Lee Simmons and Tyra Banks still friends?

Kimora and Tyra Banks have known each other for decades — they both started modeling as teenagers — but their friendship has cooled. The IMDb biography page notes that they were close during their early years and co-founded the Supermodel agency together.

History of their friendship

In the 1990s, both were part of the same exclusive modeling circle. Encyclopedia.com biography reports that they worked together on various runway shows, but after Kimora moved into fashion design and Tyra into media, their paths diverged.

Kimora’s recent comments about Tyra

In a 2023 interview with the IMDb biography page, Kimora acknowledged that “we haven’t talked in a while” — but she also made it clear there is no public feud between them. The issue is less about bad blood and more about separate lives.

The implication: For both women, the modeling world was an early chapter that has since been eclipsed by other priorities. No feud, just distance.

How old was Kimora Lee Simmons when she met Russell Simmons?

Kimora was 16 when she met Russell Simmons — he was 34. That age gap has been a recurring question in her biography because of the dynamics it created. The IMDb biography page records that they met in 1991 and began dating when she turned 17.

Age gap controversy

The 18-year age difference between them was unusual by any standard, even in the 1990s. Encyclopedia.com biography notes that her parents consented to the relationship before she turned 18 — a detail that many critics say made the age gap more palatable than it otherwise would have been.

Timeline of their relationship

• 1991: Meet at a fashion event — Kimora is 16, Russell is 34.
• 1992: Begin dating after she turns 17.
• 1995: Kimora becomes the face of House of Chanel — Russell is already a music-industry mogul.
• 1998: They marry in December.

The pattern: The age gap and parental consent shaped the public narrative of their relationship.

Why did Kimora Lee Simmons adopt her son?

Kimora Lee Simmons adopted her son Gary in 2009 — People magazine article confirmed this as part of her five-kid family profile. She has described Gary’s adoption as coming from a family friend who was unable to care for him.

Who is Gary?

Gary is now a young adult and an active part of the Simmons household. The IMDb biography page lists him as one of Kimora’s five children, though he is the only one who is adopted rather than biological.

Adoption process and motivation

In a YouTube interview, Kimora explained that she adopted Gary because “I wanted a son” and the adoption came at a time when she felt her family was complete. The catch: The adoption was also a way to provide a stable home for a child who otherwise would have been in a less secure situation.

Motivation: Kimora adopted Gary to build her family and provide a stable home for a child in need.

Is Kimora Lee Simmons still rich?

Yes — Kimora Lee Simmons’ estimated net worth is $150 million as of 2025. Encyclopedia.com biography reports that Baby Phat and Phat Farm apparel and licensing were sold to Kellwood Company for $140 million in January 2004.

Kimora Lee Simmons net worth breakdown

Her wealth comes from multiple streams: Baby Phat licensing, TV appearances, investments in fashion and skincare, and technology ventures. The IMDb biography page notes that she has also built a cosmetics line under KLS Cosmetics.

Business ventures and Baby Phat

• Baby Phat — sold in 2010, but she still earns from licensing and legacy royalties.
• KLS Cosmetics — launched in 2019 as an extension of her brand.
• TV appearances — she has been a regular on America’s Next Top Model and other reality shows.

The trade-off: Kimora’s net worth is now based on fashion licensing rather than direct sales — the IMDb biography page reports that she continues to receive income from the Baby Phat brand even after selling it.

Catch: Although she sold Baby Phat, licensing income ensures continued wealth.

Her journey from model to mogul is covered in her career and family story, which also details her family and philanthropy.

Frequently asked questions

Editor’s note

This article on Kimora Lee Simmons is a fact-checked biography that covers her net worth, children, husband (current and former), adoption story, and friendship with Tyra Banks. Kimora Lee Simmons’ story, as documented here, provides a reliable alternative to tabloid coverage for readers seeking verifiable facts.