In 2006, it made headlines in the worlds of fashion and hip hop as two of the people at the forefront of both were splitting up. They were big celebrities, used to living a big life, and now, Russell Simmons’ divorce from model Kimora Lee was big news. After eight years of marriage and two daughters later, the hip hop moguls were ending things. “Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other,” Simmons said at the time of the announcement. “We will also continue to work side by side on a daily basis as partners in all of our business.”
The famous couple met when Lee was just 17 years old and Simmons was 35. Lee was working her way up the high fashion runways, while Simmons was establishing his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur within the urban music and fashion industries. After years of having an on again, off again relationship, Simmons changed his womanizing ways and committed himself to Lee on December 20, 1998 in a marriage ceremony on the island of St. Barthelemy.
Despite the upbeat nature of the wedding, and the ten days of celebration on a yacht that followed, the happiness wouldn’t last long. Rumours began to swirl soon after about the problems the two were experience and didn’t stop throughout their entire marriage. Simmons tried to quash the stories by joking, “We’ve been on the rocks for 15 years,” but the truth would soon come out. In 2006, Simmons filed for divorce, although the couple had reportedly been separated – while still living under the same roof for the sake of their children – for some time before. They also continued to work together, with Lee heading up Baby Phat, a division of Simmons’ Phat Farm clothing label. The relationship was officially over in the fall of that same year.
Despite the year that has passed since Russell Simmons’ divorce, it continues to make news headlines. It seems that people cannot get enough of what the two celebrities are up to now. Lee has been in the spotlight recently for a growing relationship with Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. While the now 31 year old Lee and 42 year old Hounsou have kept quiet about their situation, it has been Lee’s ex-husband, Simmons, who broke the news to the media. “He’s a wonderful guy, a very sweet guy,” Simmons said. “I want Kimora to be happy no matter what.”
The relationship between Simmons and Lee might be legally over, but with the two still living under the same roof, many observers think the lines are blurred. Whatever their personal relationship, their professional one remains intact. Together, they continue to carve out their place in the fashion industry. Baby Phat has become one of the premier fashion lines for young urban woman, while its logo has become internationally recognizable. Russell Simmons’ divorce may be over, but his working affiliation with Lee and their joint success is far from it.
Russell Simmons Divorce
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