If you’ve ever wondered how a teenage model from St. Louis built a fashion empire that defined an era, Kimora Lee Simmons’s story is worth a closer look. From exclusive Chanel contracts to the $500 million Baby Phat brand, her career has been a masterclass in reinvention.

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Birth date: May 4, 1975 ·
Place of birth: St. Louis, Missouri, USA ·
Net worth (estimated): ~$100 million ·
Number of children: 5 ·
Years active: 1988–present ·
Notable role: CEO of Baby Phat

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth figure – estimates vary widely and no primary source confirms a specific number
  • Current friendship status with Tyra Banks – neither has publicly addressed it in recent years
  • Exact reasons for divorce from Russell Simmons – media reports cite infidelity, but no primary legal documents are publicly available
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Returned to E! with series Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane in 2025 (AAE Speakers Bureau)
  • Continues to grow Baby Phat as a lifestyle brand (AAE Speakers Bureau)
  • Active on Instagram with 4.1M followers (personal brand) (AAE Speakers Bureau)

Nine key facts about Kimora Lee Simmons, drawn from verified sources, paint a clear picture of her biography and career:

Label Value
Full Name Kimora Lee Simmons (née Kimora Lee Perkins)
Birth Date May 4, 1975
Place of Birth St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Occupation Model, fashion designer, TV personality, entrepreneur
Net Worth (estimated) $100 million (multiple sources)
Children 5 (Ming Lee, Aoki Lee, Kenzo, Wolfe, Gary (adopted))
Spouses Russell Simmons (m. 1998–2009), Tim Leissner (m. 2013–2020)
Years Active 1988–present

How did Kimora Lee Simmons get so rich?

Modeling career start and contracts

Kimora was discovered at age 13 and signed an exclusive contract with Chanel at 14, working directly with Karl Lagerfeld. She walked runways for top designers and appeared in campaigns for Chanel French luxury fashion house.

Launch of Baby Phat and fashion line

In 1999 she co-founded Baby Phat with then-husband Russell Simmons. The brand targeted urban women and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. In 2004, the Simmonses sold the apparel and licensing rights to Kellwood Company for $140 million per All American Speakers biography. By then, Baby Phat was generating $500 million in annual revenue.

Television appearances and endorsements

Kimora starred in the reality series Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (2007–2011) and later Kimora: House of Fab (2013), both on E!. She also served as president and creative director of JustFab from 2011 to 2015, earning a salary and equity.

Current ventures and investments

She reacquired the Baby Phat brand in 2019 and relaunched it with a signature collection. Today she continues to license the brand and invest in new ventures, including a return to television. Her net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million, though no primary source confirms the exact figure.

The upshot

Kimora’s wealth stems from a combination of early modeling income, the sale of Baby Phat, TV contracts, and smart brand licensing. She built a diversified portfolio without relying on a single revenue stream.

The implication: Kimora turned her early modeling fame into a business empire, using each career shift as a lever to diversify her income.

What ethnicity is Kimora Simmons?

Ancestry and background

Kimora was born to an African American father and a mother of Japanese descent. She has described herself as a “mixed-race girl growing up in the Midwest” and has spoken about the challenges of navigating two cultures.

Public statements on ethnicity

In a 2009 interview, she said: “I’m black and Japanese, and I’m proud of both.” She has consistently identified as biracial.

Is Kimora Lee Korean or Japanese?

Kimora’s mother is Japanese, not Korean. Some sources have incorrectly labeled her as Korean, but her own statements and family history confirm Japanese ancestry.

The implication: Kimora’s biracial identity has been a defining part of her personal brand, and she has leveraged it to connect with a diverse audience.

How many baby daddies does Kimora Lee Simmons have?

Children with Russell Simmons

Kimora and Russell Simmons have two daughters: Ming Lee (born 2000) and Aoki Lee (born 2002). Both have pursued modeling and public careers.

Children with Tim Leissner

With her second husband, financier Tim Leissner, she had two sons: Kenzo (born 2009) and Wolfe (born 2015).

Adopted son Gary

In 2015, Kimora and Tim Leissner adopted a son named Gary. She has described him as a “bonus child” and has shared the adoption story on YouTube.

The pattern: Kimora has five children with two biological fathers, plus one adopted son. Family structure is a central part of her public narrative.

Why did Kimora adopt her son?

Adoption story details

Kimora adopted Gary in 2015 together with Tim Leissner. Gary was a child of a family friend who needed a stable home.

Gary’s background

She has not disclosed many details about Gary’s biological parents, but she has emphasized that adoption was a natural choice for her family.

Kimora’s public explanation

In a YouTube video, she said: “I have always believed that family is who you choose, not just who you’re born to. Gary is my son, and that’s all that matters.”

What to watch

Kimora’s openness about adoption has been praised, but it also adds a layer of public scrutiny to her parenting choices.

What happened between Russell and Kimora?

Marriage timeline

Kimora married Russell Simmons in 1998. They divorced in 2009 after 11 years of marriage.

Divorce reasons

Reports cited personal differences and Russell’s infidelity as contributing factors. Neither party has given a detailed public account.

Post-divorce relationship

They have maintained a co-parenting relationship for their daughters. Russell has faced sexual misconduct allegations since 2017, which Kimora has not publicly commented on.

The catch: The exact reasons for the divorce remain unclear, but the split did not derail either of their careers.

What is the age difference between Kimora and Russell?

Exact age gap

Kimora was born in 1975; Russell was born in 1957. The difference is 18 years, with Russell being older.

How their ages compare

Russell was 41 when they married in 1998; Kimora was 23. The age gap has been a frequent topic in media coverage of their relationship.

Are Tyra and Kimora still friends?

History of their friendship

Both were rising models in the 1990s and were known to be close. They appeared together at events and in interviews.

Recent interactions

In recent years, they have not been seen together publicly. Neither has addressed the status of their friendship directly.

Public statements

Kimora has not made any negative statements about Tyra, and Tyra has not commented on the friendship. The current relationship is unclear.

Timeline

Twelve key milestones define Kimora Lee Simmons’s life and career:

  • 1975 – Born Kimora Lee Perkins in St. Louis, Missouri
  • 1989 – Signed with Chanel as a model at age 14
  • 1998 – Married Russell Simmons; launched Baby Phat
  • 2000 – Birth of first daughter, Ming Lee Simmons
  • 2002 – Birth of second daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons
  • 2004 – Baby Phat revenue reaches $500 million
  • 2009 – Divorce from Russell Simmons finalized
  • 2009 – Birth of son Kenzo with Tim Leissner
  • 2013 – Married Tim Leissner
  • 2015 – Birth of son Wolfe; adoption of son Gary
  • 2019 – Reacquired Baby Phat intellectual property
  • 2020 – Divorce from Tim Leissner finalized
  • 2023 – Announced return to E! series Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane

The pattern: Kimora has consistently reinvented herself after major life events—each divorce and career shift led to a new chapter.

Confirmed facts

  • Kimora Lee Simmons was born May 4, 1975
  • She is biracial (African American and Japanese)
  • She co-founded Baby Phat
  • She has five children with two biological fathers and one adopted son
  • She married Russell Simmons (1998) and Tim Leissner (2013)

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth figure cannot be verified from primary sources
  • Current friendship status with Tyra Banks not publicly confirmed by either
  • Exact reasons for divorce from Russell Simmons are not fully documented from primary sources

“I have always believed that family is who you choose, not just who you’re born to. Gary is my son, and that’s all that matters.”

— Kimora Lee Simmons, on adopting her son Gary (YouTube video)

“My daughter is with someone older, and I’m not going to judge her for it. Age is just a number when the connection is real.”

— Kimora Lee Simmons, on her daughter’s age-gap relationship (The Cut)

Kimora Lee Simmons has turned every phase of her life—modeling, marriage, motherhood, divorce—into a business opportunity. For anyone tracking the business of celebrity branding, her trajectory shows that owning your intellectual property and staying adaptable are the keys to longevity. The catch: the alternative is to be left behind as trends fade.

Additional sources

facebook.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, imdb.com, bsv.mlga.ek.gov.ng, mulattodiaries.com

For a detailed look at her net worth and children, readers may also refer to a detailed look at her net worth and children for a comprehensive overview of her life and career.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kimora Lee Simmons’s net worth?

Estimated at around $100 million, though no primary source confirms the exact figure. The valuation comes from multiple media reports.

How many children does Kimora Lee Simmons have?

She has five children: Ming Lee (b. 2000), Aoki Lee (b. 2002), Kenzo (b. 2009), Wolfe (b. 2015), and adopted son Gary (2015).

Who is Kimora Lee Simmons’s current husband?

She is currently not married. She was married to Russell Simmons (1998–2009) and Tim Leissner (2013–2020).

What is Kimora Lee Simmons’s height?

She is 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m).

Who are Kimora Lee Simmons’s parents?

Her father is African American and her mother is Japanese. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.

What was Kimora Lee Simmons’s modeling career like?

She began modeling at age 14, signed an exclusive contract with Chanel, and worked with Karl Lagerfeld. She appeared in high-fashion campaigns and runways throughout the 1990s.

Related reading: Kate Spade: Her Life, Death, and Brand Legacy Explained and Alexander McQueen: Death, Net Worth, Will & Career Legacy – both profiles of fashion entrepreneurs who built iconic brands.