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Kimora Lee Simmons’ Husbands: The Shocking Truth Behind Her Two Marriages, Convicted Felon Ex, And Latest Partner

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Kimora Lee Simmons, the fashion mogul and reality star, has had one of the most talked-about romantic lives in the entertainment industry, marked by two high-profile marriages and a complex web of co-parenting. As of late December 2025, the businesswoman is officially separated from her second husband, Tim Leissner, whose recent legal troubles have cast a long shadow over their relationship. The latest public sighting of Simmons with a new partner, Yao King, has sparked fresh curiosity about her current relationship status, especially following her 2025 statement about having no relationship with any of her children's fathers. The story of Kimora Lee Simmons’ husbands is less about fairytale romance and more about power, fashion empires, and, in one particularly shocking case, a massive international financial scandal. From her beginnings with the founder of a hip-hop empire to a former Goldman Sachs banker, here is a deep dive into the men who have held the title of Kimora Lee Simmons’ husband, and the significant partners who shaped her life.

Kimora Lee Simmons: Complete Biography and Profile

Kimora Lee Simmons (née Perkins) is a towering figure in fashion, business, and reality television. Her career began as a teenage model under Karl Lagerfeld before she transitioned into a formidable businesswoman, best known for founding the iconic streetwear brand, Baby Phat. Below is a comprehensive profile of the mogul.

  • Full Name: Kimora Lee Perkins
  • Date of Birth: May 4, 1975
  • Age (as of late 2025): 50
  • Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
  • Ethnicity: African American, Korean, and Japanese heritage
  • Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
  • Career: Former Fashion Model, Fashion Designer, Businesswoman, Television Personality
  • Notable Brands: Baby Phat (Founder/Creative Director), Phat Farm (former Creative Director), JustFab (President/Creative Director)
  • Net Worth: Estimated at $80 million
  • Children: Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons (with Russell Simmons); Kenzo Lee Hounsou (with Djimon Hounsou); Wolfe Lee Simmons (with Tim Leissner); Gary Lee Foster (adopted son)

Husband 1: Russell Simmons (1998–2009) — The Hip-Hop Mogul

Kimora Lee Simmons' first marriage was to hip-hop pioneer and Def Jam co-founder, Russell Simmons. Their relationship began when Kimora was just 17 and Russell was 35, meeting during New York Fashion Week in 1992.

They married in 1998 and quickly became one of the most powerful celebrity couples in the fashion world.

Kimora's role within Russell's Phat Fashions empire was pivotal, as she launched the hugely successful women's counterpart, Baby Phat, in 1999.

The couple had two daughters, Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons, who have since grown into successful models and entrepreneurs in their own right.

Despite their divorce in 2009 (which was finalized after separating in 2006), the two maintained a close working and co-parenting relationship for years, often referring to each other as family.

However, this amicable facade crumbled in recent years, with Russell Simmons filing a lawsuit against Kimora in 2021 over shares in a Celsius energy drink company, and a very public family feud erupting online in 2023, exposing significant family drama and a strained co-parenting dynamic.

Significant Partner: Djimon Hounsou (2007–2012) — The Oscar-Nominated Actor

Following her separation from Russell Simmons, Kimora entered a long-term relationship with Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou, known for his roles in films like Blood Diamond and Gladiator.

Though they never officially married, their relationship was widely publicized and significant. They had a traditional commitment ceremony in Hounsou's native Benin in 2008.

The couple welcomed a son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, in 2009.

Kimora and Djimon split in 2012. Like her relationship with Russell, her co-parenting with Hounsou has also been described as strained in recent years, with Kimora stating in late 2025 that she no longer has a relationship with the father of her son.

Husband 2: Tim Leissner (2014–2022 Separation) — The Convicted Felon

Kimora Lee Simmons' second official marriage was to Tim Leissner, a former high-ranking executive at Goldman Sachs. They reportedly married in 2014, and together they have a son, Wolfe Lee Simmons, and also adopted another son, Gary Lee Foster.

This marriage, however, became the most controversial and legally fraught of her life, due to Leissner's central role in one of the world's largest financial scandals.

The Shocking 1MDB Scandal and Leissner’s Conviction

Tim Leissner was a key figure in the 1MDB scandal, a massive fraud involving the Malaysian state investment fund.

In a major development that made headlines globally, Leissner pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The details of the case are staggering, involving bribes, kickbacks, and billions of dollars stolen from the Malaysian people.

In 2023, Leissner was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the $2.7 billion fraud scandal.

Kimora and Leissner reportedly separated in 2022, well before his sentencing, though the legal drama surrounding the scandal, including questions about how the illicit funds were used, undoubtedly put immense pressure on their marriage.

The fashion designer has publicly distanced herself from the convicted felon, echoing her 2025 comments that she does not maintain a relationship with the fathers of her children.

The Current Partner: Who is Yao King?

With her second marriage ending amidst scandal, the public's attention has turned to Kimora Lee Simmons' most recent public partner. In a clear sign of a new relationship, Kimora was photographed attending the prestigious 2025 CFDA Awards in New York City alongside a man identified as Yao King.

While the exact nature of their relationship—whether he is her husband, fiancé, or simply a boyfriend—has not been officially confirmed by Simmons, their appearance together at a high-profile industry event in late 2025 suggests a serious, public-facing partnership.

Yao King's background and professional details remain largely private, but his presence marks a new chapter in Kimora Lee Simmons' life as she moves past the tumultuous years associated with Tim Leissner and the 1MDB fallout.

Kimora’s Stance on Her Exes and Co-Parenting

Kimora Lee Simmons has been remarkably candid about the difficulties of co-parenting with her ex-partners. In late 2025, she made headlines by stating that she does not maintain a relationship with any of her children’s fathers: Russell Simmons, Djimon Hounsou, or Tim Leissner.

This admission underscores the deeply strained relationships with all three men, a situation she described as difficult, noting that "Guys are weird."

Despite the personal and legal complexities, Kimora remains focused on her five children and her business ventures, including the relaunch of Baby Phat and her role as a creative director and entrepreneur. Her life continues to be a blend of business acumen, high fashion, and the very public drama that comes with being a high-profile mogul.

kimora lee simmons husband
kimora lee simmons husband

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