5 Shocking Updates On Kimora Lee Simmons' Life In 2025: Ex-Husband In Prison And A $2.7 Billion Scandal

The life of fashion mogul and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons continues to be anything but quiet in late 2025. Following a tumultuous few years, which included a high-profile separation from her most recent husband, former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, and a major legal battle with her first ex-husband, Russell Simmons, the star is navigating a new "Chapter Two" of her life, documented in her latest reality show. The biggest and most recent news centers on the dramatic culmination of her ex-husband’s criminal case, which saw a major development in May 2025, cementing her separation from one of the world’s most infamous financial scandals. This in-depth look explores the complex current reality for Kimora Lee Simmons, from her relationships and family life to the legal and financial drama surrounding the fathers of her children. The narrative of her life is currently dominated by the fallout from the 1MDB scandal and an ongoing court case, proving that even a fashion icon cannot escape the high-stakes drama of global finance and fractured family ties.

Kimora Lee Simmons: A Full Biography and Relationship Timeline

Kimora Lee Simmons (née Perkins) is an American fashion designer, businesswoman, television personality, and former fashion model. Known for launching the iconic '90s and 2000s brand Baby Phat, her life has been a constant blend of high-fashion glamour and intense personal drama.

• Full Name: Kimora Lee Perkins
• Date of Birth: May 4, 1975
• Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri
• Occupation: Fashion Designer, Businesswoman, Model, TV Personality
• Key Brands: Baby Phat, JustFab, KLS, Fabulosity
• Children: Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, Wolfe Lee Leissner, Gary Lee Leissner (adopted)

The Complex Timeline of Kimora Lee Simmons' Major Relationships

Kimora Lee Simmons has been married or in a long-term partnership with three high-profile men, with her "husband" status being a frequent topic of discussion, particularly concerning her most recent partner, Tim Leissner.

• Russell Simmons (Husband 1998–2009): Kimora met the hip-hop mogul and Def Jam co-founder when she was 17 and he was 35. They married in 1998 and became a power couple in fashion and music. They share two daughters, Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons. They divorced in 2009 but remain legally and financially entangled.
• Djimon Hounsou (Partner 2007–2012): Following her separation from Russell, Kimora entered a long-term relationship with the Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. They share one son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou. While they had a commitment ceremony, they were never legally married.
• Tim Leissner (Husband 2014–Separated): Kimora secretly married German former Goldman Sachs investment banker Tim Leissner in 2014. They share a son, Wolfe Lee Leissner, and adopted son Gary Lee Leissner. This relationship ended amid Leissner's indictment in the massive 1MDB fraud case.

Update 1: Ex-Husband Tim Leissner Sentenced to Prison in Major Scandal

The most significant and current development concerning Kimora Lee Simmons’s marital history is the sentencing of her ex-husband, Tim Leissner. In May 2025, Leissner was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the multi-billion dollar 1MDB Malaysian sovereign wealth fund fraud scandal.

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Leissner, a former managing director at Goldman Sachs, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The scandal involved the theft of an estimated $2.7 billion from the Malaysian fund, which Leissner admitted to facilitating through bribes, kickbacks, and lavish spending. The sentencing, which came years after his initial plea, finally closed a major chapter in the financial and legal drama that has overshadowed Kimora's life since their separation.

While Kimora was never charged in connection with the 1MDB scandal, her company, Keyway Pride Limited LLC, was reportedly involved in legal disputes related to assets allegedly sold by Leissner, further entangling her in the fallout. Her separation from Leissner is now definitive, with the legal system delivering its final judgment on the man who was her partner for several years.

Update 2: The January 2026 Legal Showdown with Russell Simmons and Tim Leissner

The drama surrounding Kimora's ex-husbands is not over. She is currently embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle with her first ex-husband, Russell Simmons, and her former partner, Tim Leissner, over shares in the energy drink company Celsius. The trial is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2026.

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Russell Simmons sued both Kimora and Leissner, alleging that they conspired to fraudulently transfer millions of shares of Celsius stock from his personal company to Leissner's company to use as collateral for Leissner's bail and legal fees in the 1MDB case. Russell claims the stock was used without his permission. Kimora, in turn, has stated that she does not have a relationship with the fathers of her children, including Russell, and has been the "primary parent" to her five children. This trial promises to be a major event, drawing attention to the complicated financial ties that bind the former hip-hop and fashion royalty.

Update 3: Kimora's New Chapter and Reality TV Comeback in 2025

In a pivot back to the spotlight, Kimora Lee Simmons returned to reality television in 2025 with a new series, Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane. The show is positioned as her "Chapter Two," focusing on her life as a single mother, her business ventures, and her relationship with her now-adult daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

This return to the screen comes after she successfully relaunched her iconic Baby Phat brand. The show provides a fresh, current look at her life, which is heavily focused on her role as a mother and entrepreneur, moving past the legal and romantic entanglements of her past. It showcases her resilience and business acumen as she reclaims her narrative and brand identity in the mid-2020s.

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Update 4: Navigating the Dynamics of a Blended Family of Five Children

Kimora is a mother to a large, blended family of five children, and this remains a central focus of her life in 2025. She has been very open about her role as the main caregiver, recently stating that she doesn't "have a relationship" with the fathers of her children, positioning herself as the "primary parent" to all five.

Her children are:

• Ming Lee Simmons (with Russell Simmons)
• Aoki Lee Simmons (with Russell Simmons)
• Kenzo Lee Hounsou (with Djimon Hounsou)
• Wolfe Lee Leissner (with Tim Leissner)
• Gary Lee Leissner (adopted with Tim Leissner)

The relationship dynamics within her family were recently in the news when she publicly voiced her strong disapproval of her daughter Aoki Lee Simmons's brief, high-profile age-gap relationship in 2024, calling it "predatorial and kinda crazy". This public stance highlighted her fierce protective nature and the challenges of parenting children who are themselves becoming public figures.

Update 5: The Topical Authority of Kimora Lee Simmons in 2025

Kimora Lee Simmons’s current relevance is not just about her relationships; it’s about the convergence of fashion, finance, and fame. Her story now touches on several major entities and topics, giving her significant topical authority:

• 1MDB Scandal: Her connection to Tim Leissner places her at the edge of one of the largest financial fraud cases in history, involving Goldman Sachs and international corruption.
• Celsius Stock Lawsuit: The ongoing legal battle with Russell Simmons involves high-value cryptocurrency and stock assets, tying her to modern financial and legal complexities.
• Baby Phat Relaunch: Her successful re-entry into the fashion world with Baby Phat demonstrates her enduring influence as a fashion designer and businesswoman.
• Reality TV: Her new show, Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane, keeps her relevant in the entertainment industry and allows her to control her public narrative.

In 2025, Kimora Lee Simmons is defined less by who her husband is, and more by her own formidable business empire, her role as a single mother, and her ability to navigate the complex legal and financial fallout left by her past partners.