Kimora Lee Simmons Opens Up About Co-Parenting and Being the Primary Parent to Her Children
Kimora Lee Simmons is speaking candidly about motherhood, co-parenting, and the reality of holding it all together largely on her own.
In an interview with People, the fashion icon recently opened up about her relationship, or lack thereof, with the fathers of her children, making it clear that while communication may exist when necessary, day-to-day parenting largely falls on her shoulders.
“I don’t really have a relationship with my kids’ fathers,” the 50-year-old explained, noting that although co-parenting is often framed as collaborative, her household tells a different story.
While she says she generally manages co-parenting “okay,” the children live with her full-time, making her the primary and often sole parent in practice.
“It’s difficult,” she admitted, adding with a touch of blunt humor, “I don’t know sometimes what other people are thinking. Guys are weird.”
Simmons shares daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee with her ex-husband, Russell Simmons.
She is also mother to son Kenzo Lee with actor Djimon Hounsou, and has a son named Wolfe Lee, who is your youngest child, conceived with former banker Tim Leissner.
Beyond her biological children, Simmons’ definition of family has always extended further.
She adopted her son, Gary Lee,. from Jamaica in 2020 and has long embraced Jayden, whom she refers to as her “bonus son,” having lived with the family since elementary school.
While appearing on “Today with Jenna & Friends,” the Baby Phat founder described herself as a “surrogate mom” to children within her inner circle, especially those connected to her late friend Kim Porter.
“One of my friends who passed away, Kim Porter, I have all of her kids,” she shared, noting that while some are now adults, Porter’s twin daughters, D’Lila and Jessie, are just 18.
Speaking warmly, she joked that her household has always included more than just her own kids. “I have my kids, and then I have kids on the side,” Simmons said with a laugh.
