Kimora Lee Husband: Marriage History, Relationships, and Family Life

Kimora Lee’s husband is a topic that continues to spark interest because her personal life has evolved alongside a highly visible career in fashion, business, and media. As a global fashion icon, entrepreneur, and former reality TV star, Kimora Lee Simmons has lived much of her life in the public eye. Over the years, she has been married more than once, involved in high-profile relationships, and built a large, blended family. This article takes a clear, factual look at Kimora Lee’s husbands, significant partners, and how her personal journey has shaped her life today.

Who Is Kimora Lee Simmons? A Brief Background

Kimora Lee Simmons was born in 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. She entered the fashion world at a very young age after being discovered by legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, becoming a muse for Chanel while still a teenager. Her modeling success opened doors beyond the runway, leading her to become a fashion entrepreneur, television personality, and cultural figure.

Kimora is best known as the founder of the Baby Phat brand, which became a defining label of early-2000s fashion. Her business success, combined with her personal relationships, made her a frequent subject of media attention, particularly during the height of celebrity culture.

Kimora Lee Husband – How Many Times Has She Been Married?

Kimora Lee has been legally married twice. In addition to those marriages, she has also had a significant long-term relationship that is sometimes mistakenly described as a marriage. Understanding the distinction between her husbands and long-term partners is key to avoiding confusion.

Her legal husbands were:

• Russell Simmons

• Tim Leissner

She was also in a long-term relationship with actor Djimon Hounsou, though they were never legally married.

Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons

Kimora Lee’s most well-known husband is Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and a major figure in the hip-hop industry. The two met in the late 1990s and married in 1998, when Kimora was still in her early twenties.

Their marriage coincided with the rapid expansion of both Russell’s music empire and Kimora’s fashion ventures. Together, they became one of the most recognizable power couples of the era, frequently appearing in media, fashion events, and later on reality television.

Kimora also served as the creative force behind Baby Phat during much of their marriage, with Russell supporting the business side of her brand.

Children With Russell Simmons

Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons share two daughters, Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons. Both daughters grew up in the public eye and later followed their mother into modeling and fashion-related work.

After their divorce, Kimora and Russell maintained a co-parenting relationship, emphasizing stability and opportunity for their children. Kimora has often spoken about the importance of raising confident, independent daughters while navigating fame responsibly.

Divorce From Russell Simmons

Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons separated in 2006, and their divorce was finalized in 2009. While the split marked the end of a long partnership, Kimora emerged from the divorce more independent than ever.

Following the separation, she took full control of her business ventures and continued to expand her influence beyond her former husband’s empire. The divorce became a defining moment in her evolution from “hip-hop mogul’s wife” to fully autonomous entrepreneur.

Kimora Lee and Djimon Hounsou

After her marriage to Russell Simmons ended, Kimora entered a long-term relationship with actor and model Djimon Hounsou. The two were together for several years and often referred to each other as partners.

Although many people believe they were married, Kimora Lee and Djimon Hounsou were never legally husband and wife. However, their relationship was serious, and they share a son together, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, born in 2009.

Their relationship ended around 2012, and Djimon later publicly stated that they were not married, clarifying years of confusion.

Kimora Lee’s Marriage to Tim Leissner

Kimora Lee married her second legal husband, Tim Leissner, in 2014. Leissner was a former Goldman Sachs executive, and at the time, their relationship appeared stable and private compared to her earlier high-profile partnerships.

However, the marriage became complicated when Leissner was later implicated in the international 1MDB financial scandal. Kimora separated from him in 2015, and their divorce was finalized in 2017.

Kimora has publicly stated that she was unaware of the extent of Leissner’s legal issues during their marriage and made clear efforts to distance herself from the controversy.

Children and Family Life Today

Kimora Lee is the mother of five children. In addition to her three biological children—Ming, Aoki, and Kenzo—she later adopted two sons, Wolfe Lee and Gary Lee, in 2020.

Her family today reflects a blended, modern structure shaped by multiple chapters of her life. Kimora often emphasizes motherhood as her most important role, describing her home life as her grounding force.

Despite her fame, she has increasingly focused on protecting her children’s privacy while still supporting their individual ambitions.

Kimora Lee’s Evolution Through Relationships

Each relationship in Kimora Lee’s life marked a different stage of growth. Her marriage to Russell Simmons aligned with her early rise in fashion and media. Her relationship with Djimon Hounsou reflected a more private, family-centered phase. Her marriage to Tim Leissner came during a period of reinvention—and ended with a renewed emphasis on independence.

Rather than being defined by any one husband, Kimora has consistently reclaimed control over her narrative.

Life Beyond Marriage

Today, Kimora Lee Simmons appears focused on business, motherhood, and personal fulfillment rather than romantic labels. She continues to work in fashion and lifestyle ventures while supporting her children’s careers and education.

Her journey shows that personal reinvention does not stop after marriage or divorce—it evolves with experience and intention.