Kimora Lee Simmons is clarifying where she stands with the fathers of her children — and according to her, there isn’t much of a relationship at all.
In a new interview with People, the 50-year-old entrepreneur and Kimora: Back in the Fab Lane star said she doesn’t “have a relationship really” with any of her exes.
Simmons shares daughters Ming Lee, 25, and Aoki Lee, 23, with ex-husband Russell Simmons; 16-year-old son Kenzo with actor Djimon Hounsou; and 10-year-old son Wolfe with former investment banker Tim Leissner.
“Usually I would say that I co-parent okay, but the kids are with me full-time,” Simmons explained. “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 is also the mother of 16-year-old Gary, whom she adopted from Jamaica in 2020, and she considers 19-year-old Jayden — who has lived with the family since elementary school — her “bonus son.”
With all her children under one roof, she emphasized that her focus has never been on her relationships. “My life doesn’t ever revolve around a guy, ever,” she said. “I am thankful I’m able to be there for my family in ways that other people or parents are not.”
Despite the absence of active co-parenting dynamics, Simmons said she relies on a strong circle of support. “I have my village of friends and family and people my kids can rely on,” she shared. She also noted that “I’m always ‘the mom.’ I mother people all around me.”
That maternal role extends beyond her five children and two additional sons. Simmons recently revealed on Today with Jenna & Friends that she has taken on an essential role in the lives of Kim Porter's children, who died in 2018.
“One of my friends who passed away, Kim Porter, I have all of her kids,” she said. “Even though some of them are adults, but some of them are 18 — twins.” Simmons confirmed that Porter’s daughters, D’Lila and Jessie, regularly turn to her. “Yeah, they’re with me. I just got off the phone with them! I’m a lot of people’s mom.”
As her family continues to grow and evolve, Simmons said her children — regardless of age — always know they have a home with her. “Ming and Aoki are older, but I think they still feel very much like I’m ‘mom,’” she shared. “For sure, they can come to me.”