Russell Simmons Height, Weight, Age, Family, Facts, Education, Biography

Celeb Highlights
Russell Simmons Quick Info
Height5 ft 8 in
Weight73 kg
Date of BirthOctober 4, 1957
Zodiac SignLibra
Eye ColorDark Brown

Russell Simmons is an American entrepreneur, record executive, writer, and film producer who is best known as the co-founder of the iconic hip-hop record label Def Jam Recordings. He has also created the clothing/fashion lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and Tantris. In 2017 and 2018, he was accused of s*xual misconduct by several women after which he was forced to step down from his position at Def Jam Recordings.

Born Name

Russell Wendell Simmons

Nick Name

Rush

Sun Sign

Libra

Born Place

Hollis, Queens, New York City, New York, United States

Residence

He splits his time between Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, and Los Angeles, California, United States.

Nationality

American

Education

Russell had graduated, in 1975, from the August Martin High School, a public school in South Jamaica, Queens. He had then briefly attended the City College of New York, a public college in Harlem, Manhattan.

Occupation

Entrepreneur, Record Executive, Writer, Film Producer

Family

  • Father – Daniel Simmons Sr. (Public School Administrator, History Professor, Poet)
  • Mother – Evelyn Simmons (Teacher, Painter, Park Administrator)
  • Siblings – Joseph Ward Simmons aka Rev. Run (Younger Brother) (DJ, Rapper, Actor, Music Producer, Practicing Christian Minister, Co-Founder of the influential Hip Hop group Run–D.M.C.), Daniel ‘Danny’ Simmons Jr. (Older Brother) (Artist, Painter)
  • Others – Jamel Simmons (Nephew) (Rapper, Actor, Designer), Mia Kaylee Simmons (Grand Niece), Ava Marie Jean Wayans (Grand Niece), Sutton Joseph Tennyson (Grand Nephew), Valerie Vaughn (Ex-Sister-in-Law) (Teacher, Educationist), Vanessa Jean Simmons (Niece) (TV Personality), Angela Simmons (Niece) (Actress, Producer, Fashion/Shoe Designer), Joseph ‘JoJo’ Ward Simmons, Jr. (Nephew) (Rapper), Justine Simmons (Sister-in-Law) (Actress), Daniel Dwayne ‘Diggy’ Simmons III (Nephew) (Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Model), Russell ‘Russy’ Simmons II (Nephew), Victoria Anne Simmons (Niece) (Deceased), Miley Justine Simmons (Niece), Vernon Whitlock Jr. (Ex-Father-in-Law) (Former Federal Marshal), Joanne Perkins aka Joanne Kyoko Syng (Ex-Mother-in-Law) (Former Social Security Administrator)

Net Worth

In 2020, Russell Simmons’s net worth was $340 million according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.

Build

Athletic

Height

5 ft 8 in or 173 cm

Weight

73 kg or 161 lbs

Girlfriend / Spouse

Russell has dated –

  • Karin Taylor
  • Donna D’Errico
  • Cynthia Bailey (1988-1989)
  • Troy Byer (1990)
  • Marita Stavrou (1990-1991)
  • Kimora Lee (1992–2006) – Russell had first met model, fashion designer, actress, producer, TV personality, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur Kimora Lee in November 1992 and the couple had started dating soon after. They got married on December 20, 1998, on the island of Saint Barthélemy in the Caribbean. The wedding ceremony was conducted by Russell’s brother, Joseph Simmons. They have 2 daughters together named Ming Lee Simmons (b. January 21, 2000) and Aoki Lee Simmons (b. August 16, 2002). In March 2006, Russell had announced that the pair had ended their relationship. Their divorce was finalized 2 years later.
  • Veronica Webb (1994)
  • Kara Young (1994) – Rumor
  • Amber Smith (1996)
  • Karrine Steffans (2004)
  • Porschla Coleman (2007-2008)
  • Katie Rost (2007-2008)
  • Julie Henderson (2009)
  • Noémie Lenoir (2009)
  • Jaslene Gonzalez (2010)
  • Heidi Allende (2010)
  • Paige Butcher (2010-2011)
  • Angela Martini (2011)
  • Angela Bellotte (2011)
  • Melissa George (2011-2012)
  • Sasha Volkova (2012)
  • Hana Nitsche (2012-2013)
  • Shannon Elizabeth (2014)

    • Race / Ethnicity

    Black

    He is of African-American descent.

    Hair Color

    Bald

    Eye Color

    Dark Brown

    Sexual Orientation

    Straight

    Distinctive Features

    • Toned physique
    • Clean-shaven look

    Religion

    Christianity

    Russell Simmons Facts

  • He had co-founded RushCard in 2003, a prepaid debit card provider.
  • In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University, a private online university in California, had conferred upon him an honorary doctorate.
  • American TV personality, supermodel, businesswoman, actress, and writer Tyra Banks is the godmother of his daughter Ming.
  • He had turned vegan in 1999 and practices Jivamukti Yoga, a proprietary style of yoga that encourages vegetarianism and social/environmental activism. He also practices transcendental meditation.
  • PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had awarded him their ‘Humanitarian Award’ in 2001.
  • In June 2023, Russell’s ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and their two daughters Aoki Lee Simmons and Ming Lee Simmons accused him of verbal abuse and erratic behavior.

    • Featured Image by Russell Simmons / Instagram

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