Kimora Lee Simmons is an American fashion model, business executive, television personality, and entrepreneur best known for her leadership of the Baby Phat brand. Rising to fame as a teenage runway model in Europe, she later became a pioneering figure in women’s streetwear, influencing an entire era of 2000s fashion. With a diverse career spanning modeling, brand development, television, and philanthropy, Kimora remains a prominent voice in fashion and business. This biography covers her age, height, family, husband, children, business ventures, and net worth.
Quick Bio
- Full Name: Kimora Lee Perkins Simmons
- Profession: Model, Fashion Designer, Entrepreneur, TV Personality
- Birthdate: May 4, 1975
- Age: 49 (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 ft 0 in (approx.)
- Known For: Baby Phat, runway modeling career, television shows
- Net Worth: Estimated $50–$60 million
Family & Background
Kimora was born to a Korean-Japanese mother and African-American father, giving her a culturally diverse upbringing. Raised primarily by her mother, she grew up with strong discipline, structure, and ambition. Her height and striking appearance drew early attention, leading her to enter the world of modeling at a very young age. She signed with Elite Model Management at age 13, becoming one of the youngest models ever to join the agency’s international roster.
Her multicultural background and early exposure to travel and fashion helped shape her professional identity. Kimora has often spoken about the challenges and opportunities of entering the modeling world so young, especially as a woman of color during a time of limited representation in high fashion.
Career & Achievements
Kimora Lee Simmons has worked across modeling, fashion design, brand development, and media. Known for her business leadership and understanding of urban fashion markets, she helped redefine women’s streetwear in the 2000s.
Modeling Career
Kimora began modeling professionally in her early teens. She quickly became a prominent runway figure, particularly in Europe, and worked with designers including:
- Chanel
- Valentino
- Fendi
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Emanuel Ungaro
Her most notable modeling achievement was serving as a muse for Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel. She appeared in numerous campaigns, runway shows, and high-fashion editorials throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Baby Phat and Business Leadership
Kimora’s most influential work came through Baby Phat, a brand under Phat Fashions. She became involved in 1999, serving as creative director and later CEO. Under her leadership, Baby Phat transformed into a global lifestyle brand offering apparel, accessories, footwear, and beauty. The brand became a defining force in early-2000s urban fashion, empowering women and representing diverse cultural identities.
After the brand changed ownership, Kimora later reacquired Baby Phat and revived it independently, continuing to develop new product lines and collaborations. She also expanded into other ventures, including:
- Skincare and beauty brands
- Fragrance lines
- Apparel and lifestyle collections
- Television production
- Business consulting and philanthropy
Kimora is recognized as one of the first Black and Asian female executives to run a major global fashion label.
Television & Media Work
Kimora has appeared in multiple television programs, including her own reality series:
- Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane
- Kimora: House of Fab
These shows highlighted her business responsibilities, parenting style, and personal life. She has also made guest appearances in talk shows, documentaries, and fashion-related programming.
Husband & Relationship Status
Kimora has been in several notable relationships:
- Russell Simmons — married 1998, divorced 2009; they share two daughters.
- Djimon Hounsou — long-term partner; they share one son.
- Tim Leissner — married in 2014; they share one son. Their current marital status is not publicly confirmed.
Kimora currently keeps her relationship status private, choosing to focus on family and business.
Children
Kimora is a mother of five and often emphasizes education, independence, and cultural identity in raising her children. Her children include:
- Ming Lee Simmons (born 2000) — daughter
- Aoki Lee Simmons (born 2002) — daughter
- Kenzo Lee Hounsou (born 2009) — son
- Wolfe Lee Leissner (born 2015) — son
- Gary Lee — adopted son (adopted in 2020)
Her children often appear with her at events, campaigns, or in social media posts related to her brands.
Social Media Presence
Kimora uses social media primarily for brand promotion, philanthropy updates, and family-related posts. Her platforms highlight product launches, Baby Phat partnerships, inspirational messages, and behind-the-scenes business activity. She is active but maintains a professional tone across accounts.
- Instagram: @kimoraleesimmons — approx. 2.4 million followers
- Facebook: Kimora Lee Simmons — approx. 1.1 million followers
- Twitter/X: @OfficialKimora — approx. 1 million followers
Her social media presence helps maintain engagement with fans and customers while supporting her fashion and beauty brands.
Net Worth
Kimora Lee Simmons has an estimated net worth of $50–$60 million. Her income sources include:
- Baby Phat brand revenue
- Modeling earnings
- Television and media partnerships
- Beauty and lifestyle ventures
- Investments in fashion and skincare brands
Her long-term career in fashion and entrepreneurship continues to contribute significantly to her financial success.
FAQs
How old is Kimora Lee Simmons?
She is 49 years old.
How tall is she?
Her height is approximately 6 feet.
Is Kimora married?
Her last known marriage was to Tim Leissner; current status not publicly confirmed.
How many children does she have?
She has five children.
What is her net worth?
Estimated $50–$60 million.
