Guide Note

Russell Simmons was born on October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York. He attended City College of New York but dropped out before graduating to promote local rap music acts such as Run-D.M.C. and Kurtis Blow. In 1984, Simmons and New York University student Rick Rubin founded Def Jam Records. They signed LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Public Enemy and others. Russell is a vegetarian and practices yoga every day. He married model Kimora Lee on December 20, 1998. Russel and Lee have two daughters together, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee. The couple officially separated in March of 2006 and Lee filed for a divorce in March of 2008. Simmons is currently romantically linked to model Porschla Coleman. Kimora Lee is dating actor Djimon Hounsou and recently announced that she is pregnant with Hounsou's child.

Fast Facts

1. Record producer
2. Born: October 4, 1957
3. Birth Place: Queens, New York
4. Created Phat Farm clothing line
5. Estimated Net Worth: $325 Million
6. Mariied model Kimora Lee on December 20, 1998
7. Separated in March of 2006

Simmons is the creator of the Phat Farm clothing line. In 2004, Russell sold the clothing line to the Kellwood Company for $140 million. Kimora Lee was promoted by Kellwood to be the President and Creative Director of Phat Fashions. Simmon's and Lee's daughters are models for the Baby Phat kids collection.