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Public family tensions flared again this week when Russell Simmons took to social media to push back after his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, said she doesn’t really keep relationships with the fathers of her children. Their back-and-forth reopened old wounds and put the spotlight back on a high-profile split that has played out in public for years.
Russell Simmons’ public reply on Threads
Russell responded directly on Threads, disputing parts of Kimora’s recent comments. He described long-term financial support and argued there are multiple perspectives to the story.
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- Monthly support: Russell wrote that he provided substantial monthly payments over many years — a figure he says amounted to $50,000 a month.
- Family role: He reminded followers of his past role as both friend and guardian, saying he served as godfather to additional children in the family.
- Allegations of wrongdoing: He also claimed that a business interest he held was taken from him, and that legal threats were used to limit contact with his daughters.
Kimora Lee Simmons on parenting and independence
Kimora told PEOPLE that she doesn’t really maintain relationships with her kids’ fathers and that she is the primary parent in her household. She framed her role as a hands-on caregiver who relies on a wider support network.
- She emphasized being the main parent and that her children spend most of their time with her.
- Kimora praised her “village” of friends and family who help raise her kids.
- Self-reliance: She said her life doesn’t revolve around a romantic partner and credited her independence for keeping the family stable.
Who’s who: the children and their fathers
The family’s makeup helps explain the tensions. Kimora and Russell share two daughters. Kimora has two other sons with different fathers.
- Ming Lee and Aoki Lee — daughters with Russell Simmons. (Ages reported: Ming 25, Aoki 23.)
- Kenzo Lee — son of actor Djimon Hounsou. (Age reported: 16.)
- Wolfe Lee — son of former banker Tim Leissner. (Age reported: 10.)
Legal note on Tim Leissner
Tim Leissner pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges related to bribery and money laundering and received a two-year sentence.
History of the relationship and public fallout
Kimora and Russell’s relationship dates back decades. She met him as a teenager during New York Fashion Week, married him in the late 1990s, and their marital split began in the mid-2000s.
- They married in 1998 and separated in 2006.
- Their divorce was finalized a few years later.
Previous clashes and allegations involving their daughters
The couple’s disputes spilled into public view last year when Kimora supported daughter Aoki’s claims about Russell’s behavior. At the time, Kimora accused him of threatening Aoki’s friends and boyfriend and labeled some of his conduct toward women as abusive.
Her messages then were forceful and protective, stating that threats against her children would not be tolerated. Russell’s recent Threads post revived those complaints and reopened debate among their followers.
