It’s actually kinda hard to explain to people who weren't there just how massive Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons were in the late '90s. They weren't just a couple; they were a whole aesthetic. He was the "Godfather of Hip-Hop," the co-founder of Def Jam who basically brought rap to the suburbs. She was the six-foot-tall Chanel model who turned a tiny streetwear spin-off called Baby Phat into a billion-dollar empire. They lived in a 49,000-square-foot mansion in New Jersey. They had a reality show, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, that predated the Kardashians.
But honestly, the "fabulosity" was a lot more complicated behind the scenes than the glittery logos suggested.
The Rise and Fall of the Phat Farm Empire
They met when Kimora was only 17. Russell was 35. That's a detail that hits a lot differently in 2026 than it did in 1992. They married in 1998 on St. Barts, a wedding that basically set the blueprint for the "hip-hop royalty" lifestyle. For years, they seemed like the perfect business partners. Russell had Phat Farm, and Kimora took over Baby Phat, turning it into the definitive "it girl" brand of the early 2000s.
Then things started to fray.
They split in 2006, though they didn't finalize the divorce until 2009. For a long time, they were actually the "gold standard" for celebrity co-parenting. You’d see them on red carpets with their daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, looking like one big happy blended family. Russell even called Kimora his "best friend."
It stayed that way for over a decade. Until the lawsuits started flying.
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The $43 Million Legal Mess
The breaking point wasn't just personal—it was financial. In 2021, Russell sued Kimora and her then-husband, Tim Leissner. He accused them of "stealing" almost 4 million shares of Celsius Energy Drink stock to use as collateral for Leissner’s legal fees. If you haven't been following the news, Leissner was a big-time Goldman Sachs banker who got caught up in the 1MDB scandal, which involved billions of dollars of laundered money.
Russell claimed those shares were worth tens of millions. He alleged they transferred the stock without his permission.
Kimora fought back hard. Her legal team called the lawsuit a "baseless" attempt to harass her. They argued that because Russell had resigned from their joint investment company, Nu Horizons, back in 2018, he didn't even have the standing to sue. By early 2025, a federal judge actually denied Russell’s motion for reconsideration in part of that battle. The whole thing turned into a nasty, public game of "he-said, she-said" over money that neither of them really seemed to need, but both were willing to burn bridges over.
The Bali Exile and the 2023 Meltdown
While the business fight was happening, a much darker cloud was hanging over Russell. Since 2017, he’s been living in Bali, Indonesia. Why Bali? Well, Indonesia doesn't have an extradition treaty with the United States. This is a huge point of contention because more than 20 women have accused Russell of sexual misconduct, including rape, dating back to the '80s and '90s.
He’s denied everything.
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But the distance changed the family dynamic. In June 2023, the world watched as the Simmons family's private laundry was aired on Instagram Live. It started when Ming Lee wished her mom a "Happy Father's Day" instead of her dad. Russell posted a cryptic message about "frustrated" fathers being kept from their kids.
That was the spark. Kimora went off.
She posted videos and messages alleging that Russell was verbally abusive and had been "threatening" the girls' lives. Aoki Lee, who had just graduated from Harvard, shared a screen recording of a FaceTime call where Russell appeared to be screaming at her. It was heartbreaking to watch. Aoki explained that her father’s rage had reached a point where it was causing her severe anxiety attacks.
Where They Stand in 2026
If you're looking for a happy ending, you're gonna be disappointed. As of early 2026, the relationship between Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons is pretty much non-existent. In a December 2025 interview with People, Kimora was blunt. She said she doesn’t really have a relationship with the fathers of her children. She called herself a "full-time primary parent" and basically said she does it all with the help of her "village," not her exes.
Russell didn't take that sitting down.
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He hopped on Threads—which apparently he still uses—and claimed he paid $50,000 a month in child support for 20 years. He said, "There are two sides to every story."
Kimora’s response? "My 'girls' are GROWN WOMEN! You know these are lies. Why are you typing from thousands of miles away in a non-extradition country? Go negotiate and answer your accusers."
Ouch.
The Current Reality
- Aoki and Ming Lee: They are focusing on their own careers now. Ming is modeling and Aoki is navigating life after Harvard. They seem fiercely loyal to their mother.
- The Lawsuits: Multiple sexual assault lawsuits against Russell are still moving through the courts in New York, including a defamation suit from Drew Dixon.
- The Business: Baby Phat has had a few "re-launches," but it’s struggling to capture the same magic without the Simmons power couple unity.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you've been following this saga, it’s a masterclass in how quickly "perfect" public images can crumble. For those looking to support the Simmons women or stay informed, here is what you should keep in mind:
- Watch the Court Dockets: The Celsius stock dispute and the various sexual assault cases against Russell are where the real "truth" is being hammered out.
- Support Independent Brands: Kimora is still active in the fashion world. If you miss the Baby Phat era, following her current ventures is the best way to support her "Chapter Two."
- Separate the Art from the Artist: It’s okay to love the music and the clothes while holding the creators accountable for their personal actions.
The story of Russell and Kimora isn't just about a divorce anymore. It’s about the shift from the "Teflon" era of hip-hop moguls to an era where accountability—especially from family—is unavoidable.