Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons divorced after 10 years, 5 months of marriage. The settlement was reportedly about $40M. See the full timeline.
Figures are reported estimates. Last updated Oct 2026.
Kimora kept the Baby Phat brand as part of the settlement.
Russell Simmons, the co-founder of the hip-hop label Def Jam Recordings and the fashion brand Phat Farm, and Kimora Lee Simmons, a model who became a fashion executive, met in 1992 when she was 17 and he was in his thirties. They became a couple and married on 20 December 1998 in a ceremony that took place in a large public event. Together they had two daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee. The couple became a media fixture through the reality television series Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.
Simmons's fortune was built on hip-hop. He co-founded Def Jam in 1984 with Rick Rubin, and the label launched acts such as Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and Public Enemy. He also built the Phat Farm clothing line, which Kimora helped to develop, and in 2004 he sold it to Kellwood for a reported $140 million. Kimora later started the Baby Phat line, which also brought in large sums. Most of this wealth was generated during the marriage.
The couple married in 1998 and became prominent in the fashion industry as their two brands grew. They separated in 2008, with Kimora filing for divorce in 2008, and the divorce was finalized in 2009 after about ten years of marriage. They agreed to share custody of their children. Simmons's later years were overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied, and he moved to Bali.
The divorce settlement was reported at about $40 million, with both parties retaining their business interests. Simmons agreed to pay child support of around $20,000 a month and also agreed to pay a significant sum to Kimora. The two agreed to keep the details confidential, and the figures are based on press accounts. The couple arranged joint custody of their daughters.
Kimora's contribution to the brand, in particular Baby Phat, was a key part of her claim, as were the ten years of marriage and the couple's very high earnings. Under New York law, the property earned during the marriage is subject to equitable distribution. Since Simmons had already sold Phat Farm for tens of millions of dollars, there was a substantial amount of money available to divide.
Kimora kept Baby Phat for a time and continued her career, founding Kimora Lee Simmons Couture and later other fashion lines. She also continued to appear on television. Simmons remained a leading figure in business and activism until allegations against him emerged in 2017. The divorce did not reduce the value of either brand.
The Simmons case is often compared with the Dr. Dre case, as another example of a hip-hop mogul's divorce. In both, a business sale during the marriage was important. It is also an early example of a divorce between two fashion entrepreneurs, in which the wife had built a brand of her own.
Kimora Lee Simmons later married Tim Leissner, a banker, in 2014, and she became a member of the Baby Phat creative team. Simmons's brother Joseph is the Reverend Run of Run-DMC. Kimora's reality show ran for several seasons. The $40 million figure is an estimate reported in the press.
Kimora Lee Simmons's reported settlement was about $40 million.
They married in 1998 and divorced in 2009, a marriage of roughly 11 years.
No prenuptial agreement was reported.
Yes, the family is reported to include 2 children.
Reported assets include: Baby Phat brand, New Jersey estate, cash.
Kimora's contribution to the brand, in particular Baby Phat, was a key part of her claim, as were the ten years of marriage and the couple's very high earnings. Under New York law, the property earned during the marriage is subject to equitable distribution.