Kimora Lee Simmons has built an iconic empire across fashion, modeling, and reality television, but her high-profile personal life often captures just as much public attention. From early high-fashion days to building a global lifestyle brand, her romantic history includes high-profile marriages and long-term partnerships that shaped her family life. Understanding her relationship history requires looking at the key figures who share her journey: music mogul Russell Simmons, actor Djimon Hounsou, and investment banker Tim Leissner.
The reality star shares five children across these relationships, balancing massive entrepreneurial ventures with complex family dynamics. Each relationship marked a distinct era of her personal evolution, transitioning from hip-hop royalty to independent global enterprise leadership.
Russell Simmons: The Hip-Hop Mogul Marriage
In December 1998, Kimora Lee married music and fashion entrepreneur Russell Simmons in a lavish ceremony in St. Barth. Their union cemented them as a powerhouse couple in the 1990s and 2000s urban fashion and entertainment scenes, coinciding with the massive rise of Phat Farm and the launch of Baby Phat.
During their decade-long marriage, they welcomed two daughters, Ming Lee (born 2000) and Aoki Lee (born 2002). The pair separated in 2006 and officially finalized their divorce in 2009. Despite the split, both maintained a cooperative coparenting relationship to raise their daughters through their formative years in the public eye. Russell Simmons stepped back from several ventures later in life amid public controversies, while Kimora retained full creative control and steering power over her fashion brands.
Djimon Hounsou: The Hollywood Partnership
Following her divorce from Russell, Kimora began a high-profile relationship with Academy Award-nominated actor and model Djimon Hounsou in 2007. Their relationship was widely covered in entertainment media and featured prominently in early seasons of her reality series Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.
In May 2009, they welcomed a son named Kenzo Lee Hounsou. Though many fans assumed they were legally married—partly due to traditional blessing ceremonies filmed for television—the couple never legally married in the United States. They announced their amicable separation in November 2012, continuing to share custody of their son while pursuing separate artistic and business paths. Hounsou continued his successful Hollywood career in major blockbuster franchises.
Tim Leissner: Marriage and Financial Fallout
In February 2014, reports surfaced that Kimora had married investment banker Tim Leissner. The couple welcomed a son, Wolfe Lee Leissner, in April 2015, and Kimora also adopted a 10-year-old son in 2020, Gary.
This marriage eventually faced severe legal and financial complications stemming from Leissner's involvement in the international 1MDB corruption scandal. Leissner pleaded guilty to federal charges, leading to extensive legal fallout, asset forfeiture, and a subsequent federal prison sentence handed down in May 2025. In February 2022, news outlets confirmed that Kimora and Leissner were estranged. In 2023, Kimora filed a lawsuit against Leissner regarding disputed financial assets tied to the forfeiture proceedings.
Coparenting and Current Status
Managing a blended family of five children while running multiple global businesses requires immense organization. Kimora maintains an active role in her children's lives, with her older daughters attending prestigious universities and entering the fashion and modeling worlds themselves. She continues to expand her footprint through lifestyle brands, reality television revivals, and philanthropic efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Kimora Lee Simmons been married?
Kimora has been legally married twice: first to Russell Simmons from 1998 to 2009, and second to Tim Leissner starting in 2014. Her relationship with Djimon Hounsou was a long-term partnership rather than a legal marriage.
Who are the fathers of Kimora Lee Simmons' children?
She shares daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee with Russell Simmons, son Kenzo Lee with Djimon Hounsou, and son Wolfe Lee with Tim Leissner. She also adopted her son Gary.
What happened with Tim Leissner?
Tim Leissner faced federal criminal charges related to the 1MDB financial scandal. He cooperated with federal authorities and received a two-year federal prison sentence in May 2025, while Kimora filed for separation and pursued legal action regarding disputed assets.
Is Kimora Lee Simmons currently active in business?
Yes. She relaunched and expanded Baby Phat, ventured into wellness spaces like Pellequr, and stars in reality television projects documenting her family and business empire.
