Kimora Lee Simmons Marriages and Personal Life
Kimora Lee Simmons has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, whom she wed in 1998. The couple had two daughters, Ming and Aoki, before their divorce was finalized in 2009. Her second marriage was to businessman and former NFL player Tim Leissner, whom she married in 2014. Leissner was a managing director at Goldman Sachs, and the couple had a son named Kenzo Lee. Kimora Lee and Leissner separated in 2018, and their divorce was finalized in 2019. Forbes reported on Leissner's role at Goldman Sachs and the SEC settlement that followed the 1MDB scandal.
As of the latest public reporting, Kimora Lee is not publicly linked to a new husband. She has focused on her fashion brand, Baby Phat, and her role as a mother. Her personal life remains a subject of public interest, with media outlets often covering her appearances and business ventures. Business of Fashion has covered the revival of her Baby Phat brand and its impact on the streetwear market.
Career and Business Ventures of Kimora Lee
Kimora Lee Simmons built her career as a model, becoming the face of Chanel at age 13. She later launched Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons in 2004, a fashion line that became a major player in the urban streetwear market. The brand was valued at over $300 million at its peak. She also served as president and creative director of Phat Fashions LLC, which she co-founded with Russell Simmons. SEC filings for Phat Fashions LLC show the corporate structure behind the brand during its most active period.
Beyond fashion, Kimora Lee has been involved in various business and media ventures. She starred in the reality TV series "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane" and has made numerous appearances as a commentator and entrepreneur. Her net worth has been estimated by various outlets, with some reports placing it in the tens of millions, though this figure fluctuates based on business performance and public disclosures. Forbes has analyzed the strategies behind modern fashion brand building, a context relevant to her post-Baby Phat ventures.
Financial Profile and Public Disclosures
Kimora Lee's financial profile is tied to her divorce settlements and business ownership. Her divorce from Russell Simmons in 2009 reportedly involved a significant settlement, though the exact terms were not fully disclosed. Her divorce from Tim Leissner in 2019 also involved financial arrangements, with Leissner facing separate legal issues related to the 1MDB scandal. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Leissner with securities fraud, and he agreed to pay a penalty and cooperate with the investigation.