Kimora Lee Simmons is an American fashion model, entrepreneur, television personality, and designer best known for launching Baby Phat and for her early work as a Chanel model under Karl Lagerfeld. Born on May 4, 1975, in St. Louis, Missouri, she rose from a teen model to a fashion mogul whose influence spans decades.
Her journey from a young girl discovered at 13 to a businesswoman with an estimated net worth of over $200 million (as of 2021, according to Wikipedia) is a story of reinvention. Simmons has built a brand that transcends fashion, moving into television, fragrance, and venture capital.
This article examines her career, family, personal details, and the legacy of Baby Phat, using verified sources to separate fact from speculation.
What Is Kimora Lee Simmons’ Net Worth and Career?
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net Worth | Estimated $50 million (2025) | Various celebrity net worth sites |
| Family | 5 children (Ming, Aoki, Kenzo, Wolfe, Gary); married to Tim Leissner | People.com, Wikipedia |
| Career | Fashion designer, model, TV personality; founder of Baby Phat | Wikipedia |
| Personal Stats | Born May 4, 1975; height 6’0″ (1.83 m); African-American & Japanese | Wikipedia, IMDb |
- Kimora Lee Simmons built a fashion empire with Baby Phat, amassing an estimated net worth of $50 million.
- She has five children with two different fathers: Russell Simmons (Ming, Aoki) and Tim Leissner (Kenzo, Wolfe, Gary).
- Of mixed African-American and Japanese descent, she began modeling at age 10 and later became a creative force in fashion.
- Her marriage to hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons propelled her into the spotlight, but she has since forged her own identity as a businesswoman and philanthropist.
- Despite a high-profile divorce, she remains a prominent figure in fashion and entertainment, currently serving as CEO of Baby Phat and a venture capitalist.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | May 4, 1975 |
| Birth Place | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Occupation | Fashion designer, model, television personality, entrepreneur |
| Net Worth (est.) | $50 million |
| Children | 5 (Ming, Aoki, Kenzo, Wolfe, Gary) |
| Spouse | Russell Simmons (1998–2012), Tim Leissner (2013–present) |
| Height | 6’0″ (1.83 m) |
| Ethnicity | African-American and Japanese |
Who Are Kimora Lee Simmons’ Children and Husband?
How many children does Kimora Lee Simmons have?
Kimora Lee Simmons has five children. With her first husband, Russell Simmons, she had two daughters: Ming Lee (born 2000) and Aoki Lee (born 2002). She later had a son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou (born 2009), with actor and model Djimon Hounsou. With her current husband, Tim Leissner, she has two sons: Wolfe (born 2015) and Gary (born 2017).
The children’s names and birth years are consistent across multiple sources, though the exact ages of the younger boys are sometimes reported with slight variations.
“Kimora Lee Simmons is the mom of sons Kenzo, Gary and Wolfe, and daughters Aoki and Ming.” — People.com
Who is Kimora Lee Simmons’ husband?
She was first married to music and fashion entrepreneur Russell Simmons in 1998. The couple divorced in 2012. In December 2013, she married Tim Leissner, a German-born banker. Sources confirm that the two are still married as of 2025.
Her relationship with Djimon Hounsou was not a marriage, but they share a son, Kenzo.
Who are Kimora Lee Simmons’ parents?
Her mother is of Japanese and Korean descent, and her father is African-American. Her parents’ names are not widely publicized, but her mixed heritage has been a defining aspect of her identity and career.
Is Kimora Lee Simmons still married?
Yes, she is currently married to Tim Leissner. The couple has been together since 2013 and have two children.
What Is Kimora Lee Simmons’ Ethnicity, Height, and Age?
What is Kimora Lee Simmons’ ethnicity?
Simmons is of mixed ethnicity. According to several sources, she is African-American on her father’s side and Japanese-Korean on her mother’s side. One source describes her as half African-American, one quarter Korean, and one quarter Japanese. She has spoken about her multicultural background as a source of strength in the fashion industry.
How tall is Kimora Lee Simmons?
Her height is consistently reported as 6 feet 0 inches (about 1.83 m). This measurement appears in multiple reputable sources, including IMDb and encyclopedia entries.
How old is Kimora Lee Simmons?
She was born on May 4, 1975, which makes her 50 years old as of 2025.
What Was Kimora Lee Simmons’ Early Life Like?
What was Kimora Lee Simmons’ early life like?
Kimora Lee Simmons was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in a multicultural household. Her mother is Japanese-Korean, and her father is African-American. She was discovered at age 13 during a model search and soon signed an exclusive contract with Chanel, working directly with Karl Lagerfeld. Some sources say she started modeling at 14, but the consensus is that she entered high fashion at a very young age.
Simmons was discovered at 13 and quickly became a Chanel exclusive model under Karl Lagerfeld, a rare achievement for a teenager.
Kimora Lee Simmons young
Her early modeling career set the stage for her later success. After her time with Chanel, she appeared on runways and in magazines, building a reputation as a versatile and striking model. This foundation led her to launch Baby Phat in 1999, a women’s offshoot of Phat Farm, the brand founded by her then-husband Russell Simmons.
How Did Kimora Lee Simmons’ Career and Life Progress Over Time?
- 1975: Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Japanese mother and African-American father.
- 1985: Begins modeling at age 10, signed with prestigious agencies.
- 1998: Marries Russell Simmons, hip-hop entrepreneur.
- 2000: Birth of daughter Ming Lee Simmons.
- 2002: Birth of daughter Aoki Lee Simmons.
- 2004: Launches Baby Phat, a women’s fashion brand under Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm label.
- 2009: Birth of son Kenzo Lee Simmons.
- 2012: Divorce from Russell Simmons finalized.
- 2015: Birth of son Wolfe Lee Simmons.
- 2017: Birth of son Gary Lee Simmons.
- 2020: Marries financier Tim Leissner.
- 2025: Continues as CEO of Baby Phat, expands into venture capital and philanthropy.
What Is Known About Kimora Lee Simmons and What Remains Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Kimora Lee Simmons was born on May 4, 1975, in St. Louis, Missouri. | Exact net worth varies by source; estimates range from $30 million to $80 million. $50 million is a commonly cited figure. |
| She is a fashion designer, former model, and TV personality. | The exact year of her first modeling contract is sometimes reported as 1985 or 1986. |
| She has five children: Ming, Aoki, Kenzo, Wolfe, and Gary. | Some sources list her as having a third middle name ‘Lee’ but it is part of her full name Kimora Lee Simmons. |
| She was married to Russell Simmons from 1998 to 2012. | The paternity and exact birth order of her children with Tim Leissner is clear, but some details about their ages may vary slightly across sources. |
| She married Tim Leissner in 2020. | |
| Her height is 5’10” (1.78 m) according to some sources, but 6’0″ (1.83 m) is more consistently reported. | |
| Her ethnicity is African-American and Japanese (mother is Japanese, father is African-American). |
What Does Kimora Lee Simmons’ Story Mean in the Fashion Industry?
Kimora Lee Simmons represents a unique intersection of fashion, music, and pop culture. As the founder of Baby Phat, she helped mainstream urban fashion and created a lifestyle brand that resonated with women of color. Her rise from a young model to a mogul illustrates the power of personal branding in the 1990s and 2000s. Despite personal challenges, she has maintained relevance by pivoting into venture capital and philanthropy. Her story is also a case study in navigating high-profile marriages and divorces while building an independent identity.
What Do Official Sources Say About Kimora Lee Simmons?
“I’m always reinventing myself. I’m a mogul, model, mom of 5, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, philanthropist, angel investor, designer, perfumista, Tony Award winner, author, CEO @babyphat.”
— Kimora Lee Simmons’ Instagram bio
“She launched the global women’s fashion brand Baby Phat in 2004 and has since expanded into fragrances, accessories, and home goods.”
— Wikipedia
“Kimora Lee Simmons is the mom of sons Kenzo, Gary and Wolfe, and daughters Aoki and Ming.”
— People.com (June 2026 article)
What Is a Quick Summary of Kimora Lee Simmons’ Life?
Kimora Lee Simmons is a fashion icon and entrepreneur who built Baby Phat into a global brand. Born in 1975 in St. Louis, she began modeling as a teen and later became a creative director and businesswoman. She has five children, was married to Russell Simmons, and is now married to Tim Leissner. Her net worth is estimated at $50 million, and she continues to lead Baby Phat while investing in new ventures. For more on the world of high fashion, read about Coco Chanel – Biography, Net Worth, and Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kimora Lee Simmons
Is Kimora Lee Simmons on Instagram?
Yes, her official Instagram handle is @kimoraleesimmons.
What is Kimora Lee Simmons’ real name?
Her full name is Kimora Lee Simmons; she was born Kimora Lee Perkins.
What TV shows has Kimora Lee Simmons been on?
She starred in the reality show ‘Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane’ (2007–2011) and has made appearances on ‘The Real,’ ‘Project Runway,’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model.’
What is Kimora Lee Simmons’ net worth in 2025?
Estimates vary, but her net worth is commonly cited around $50 million.
How many children does Kimora Lee Simmons have and with whom?
She has five children: Ming and Aoki with Russell Simmons; Kenzo, Wolfe, and Gary with Tim Leissner.
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