Music mogul Russell Simmons has launched a fierce public rebuttal against his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, following her recent comments about the fathers of her children. The 68-year-old founder of Def Jam Recordings took to social media to present his side of a complex family narrative, directly contradicting Kimora's portrayal of their co-parenting dynamic.
A Public Clash Over Private Matters
The dispute ignited after Kimora Lee Simmons, 50, told People magazine that she is the 'primary parent' for all six of her children and stated she 'doesn't have a relationship really' with their fathers. The former couple, who were together for 14 years and married for eight before splitting in 2006, share two daughters: Ming, 25, and Aoki, 23.
Kimora's family also includes son Kenzo, 16, with actor Djimon Hounsou, and Wolfe with former investment banker Tim Leissner. She is mother to Gary Lee, 16, whom she adopted from Jamaica in 2020, and refers to 19-year-old Jayden as her 'bonus son', as he has lived with the family since fourth grade.
In her interview, Kimora credited her 'village' of 'friends and family' for support, adding, 'I'm pretty much the primary parent. It's difficult, but I don't know sometimes what other people are thinking. Guys are weird.'
Simmons' Explosive Social Media Retort
Russell Simmons responded forcefully on Sunday via Instagram's Threads platform, addressing Kimora directly. His post contained several serious allegations and financial claims.
'I gave u 50,000 a month for 20 years. I was ur best / only friend. I'm the godfather to your 3 kids, until one day you stole my stock,' he wrote. 'I have been fighting for my kids love and my bread ever since.'
He went on to make a specific and damaging accusation: 'You threatened that if I sued you, I would never speak to my kids again.' Simmons concluded with the pointed reminder, 'There are two sides to every story.'
A History of Tension and Allegations
This is not the first public airing of grievances between the ex-spouses. In 2023, their relationship deteriorated further following an incident involving their daughter Aoki.
Aoki posted a video online where Russell appeared to be yelling at her. She claimed he would 'threaten' her boyfriend and friends if she blocked him on social media. Kimora swiftly defended her daughter on Instagram, accusing Simmons of 'bullying' and being 'abusive'.
'I'm so sorry to have to do this. But this man has been threatening my kids' lives,' Kimora wrote at the time. 'We won't be bullied, threatened or afraid.' She demanded he 'leave my kids alone' and criticised what she called his 'threats and lies and intimidation manoeuvres'. Russell Simmons has denied all allegations of abuse.
The latest exchange underscores the deep and ongoing rift between the two, transforming private family struggles into a very public battleground. With both parties presenting starkly different accounts, the well-being of their children remains at the centre of this painful and protracted celebrity feud.
