History of Kimora Lee Simmons in Timeline

Kimora Lee Simmons is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, television personality, and former model. She gained prominence as a model, working with Chanel and other major fashion houses. In 1999, Simmons launched Baby Phat, a global lifestyle brand that significantly contributed to her entrepreneurial success. She further expanded her public profile with the reality television show, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, showcasing her personal and professional life.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

May 4, 1975: Kimora Lee Simmons' Birth

On May 4, 1975, Kimora Lee Simmons (née Perkins) was born. She would later become an American businesswoman, fashion designer, television personality, and former fashion model.

Others born on this day/year

1989: Closing the Chanel Haute Couture Show

In 1989, Kimora Lee Simmons closed the Chanel haute couture show as "The Bride."

1992: Foundation of Phat Farm

In 1992, Russell Simmons founded Phat Farm, which would later be related to the launch of Baby Phat in 1999 by Kimora Lee Simmons.

December 1998: Marriage to Russell Simmons

In December 1998, Kimora Perkins married Russell Simmons.

1998: Hosting One World Music Beat

In 1998, Kimora Lee Simmons became one of the three hosts on the music and pop-culture weekly TV series, One World Music Beat.

September 15, 1999: Baby Phat's First Fashion Show

On September 15, 1999, Baby Phat debuted its first fashion show at New York Fashion Week, held at Radio City Music Hall and streamed live to Times Square.

1999: Launch of Baby Phat

In 1999, Kimora Lee Simmons launched Baby Phat as a women's wear off-shoot of Phat Farm, which Russell Simmons had founded in 1992.

2000: Lil' Kim Walked the Baby Phat Runway

In 2000, Lil' Kim walked the Baby Phat runway, contributing to the brand's presence during New York Fashion Week.

2001: End of One World Music Beat

In 2001, Kimora Lee Simmons concluded her run as one of the three hosts on the music and pop-culture weekly TV series, One World Music Beat.

2003: Judge on America's Next Top Model

In 2003, Kimora Lee Simmons appeared alongside Tyra Banks as a judge on season one of America's Next Top Model.

2003: Tony Award for Def Poetry Jam

In 2003, Kimora Lee Simmons received a Tony Award for her work as a producer on Def Poetry Jam on Broadway.

2006: Joined Got Milk? Campaign

In 2006, Kimora Lee Simmons joined the Got Milk? campaign, appearing with a milk mustache.

2006: Publication of Fabulosity: What It Is & How to Get It

In 2006, Kimora Lee Simmons' book, "Fabulosity: What It Is & How to Get It", was published by Harper Entertainment and received favorable reviews.

2007: Starring in Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

In 2007, Kimora Lee Simmons ventured into reality television, starring in "Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane" alongside her family.

February 2008: Release of Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie Doll

In February 2008, Mattel released the Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie Doll, embodying the brand identity cultivated by Simmons.

March 14, 2008: Recognition by St. Louis

On March 14, 2008, at a homecoming ceremony in St. Louis, the mayor presented Kimora Lee Simmons with the key to the city and declared it Kimora Day.

2008: Support for PETA's Be an Angel to Dogs Campaign

In 2008, Kimora Lee Simmons lent her voice and image to PETA in support of the organization's Be an Angel to Dogs campaign. She also donated $20,000 to PETA's Angel for Animals Project.

May 2009: Birth of Son with Djimon Hounsou

In May 2009, Kimora Lee Simmons gave birth to her first son with actor and model Djimon Hounsou.

2009: Producing Episodes of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

From 2009-2010, Kimora produced and executive produced episodes of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

2009: Divorce from Russell Simmons

Kimora and Russell Simmons divorced in 2009 after having two daughters together.

2010: Producing Episodes of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

From 2009-2010, Kimora produced and executive produced episodes of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

2010: Parting Ways with Phat Fashions

In 2010, Kimora Lee Simmons parted ways with Phat Fashions and its parent company, Kellwood.

2011: End of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

In 2011, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane aired its final episode.

2013: Debut of Kimora: House of Fab

In 2013, The Style Network debuted Kimora: House of Fab, which focused on Kimora's professional life as the Creative Director of JustFab.

February 2014: Marriage to Tim Leissner

In February 2014, it was reported that Kimora Lee Simmons had married investment banker Tim Leissner.

2014: Establishment of Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund

In 2014, Kimora Lee Simmons established the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at FIT with a personal donation of one million dollars to aid students from underserved communities.

April 2015: Birth of Son with Tim Leissner

In April 2015, Kimora Lee Simmons and Tim Leissner had a son.

2015: Acquisition of Celsius

In 2015, Kimora Lee Simmons acquired Celsius, a "clean energy" negative calorie drink, as part of her investment portfolio.

2015: Departure from JustFab

In 2015, Kimora Lee Simmons announced her departure from her role as President and Creative Director of JustFab.

2015: Debut of KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons

In 2015, Kimora Lee Simmons' new fashion label, KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons, debuted its first collection during the pre-fall season.

2017: Relief Efforts After Hurricane Harvey

In 2017, Kimora Lee Simmons and her family traveled to Texas with The Unmentionables to help with relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

2017: Simmons Returns to School

In 2017, Kimora Lee Simmons returned to school.

September 2018: Partnership with UN Women and GICC

In September 2018, Kimora Lee Simmons partnered with UN Women and GICC to help launch their Gender Innovation Principles and She Innovates calls to action.

2018: Humanitarian Work for Refugees

As of 2018, Kimora Lee Simmons has done humanitarian work in support of refugees and in-crisis migrant women and children, working as a Lead Global Ambassador for The Unmentionables.

2018: Graduation from the University of Hartford

In 2018, Kimora Lee Simmons graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Entrepreneurial Affairs from the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business in Hartford, Connecticut.

2018: Leissner Pleads Guilty in 1MDB Scandal

In 2018, Tim Leissner pleaded guilty in the 1MDB scandal and admitted to being a double bigamist, having been married to two women, including Kimora, at the same time.

March 8, 2019: Announcement of Baby Phat Reacquisition

On March 8, 2019, International Women's Day, Kimora Lee Simmons announced the reacquisition and forthcoming return of Baby Phat at the launch of the She Innovates initiative.

2019: Co-launch of Pellequr

In the spring of 2019, Kimora Lee Simmons co-launched Pellequr, a Beverly Hills spa with a novel take on the traditional Korean spa.

2019: Baby Phat Relaunch and New Collection Debut

In the summer and fall of 2019, Baby Phat relaunched and debuted a new signature collection, targeting millennials at the mid-tier retail level.

2020: Adoption of a Son

In 2020, Kimora Lee Simmons adopted a son, making her a mother of five children.

2021: Net Worth Reported

As of 2021, Kimora Lee Simmons was reported to have amassed a net worth of over $200 million.

2021: Partnership with Smile Train for #AllSmilesAreBeautiful Campaign

In 2021, Kimora Lee Simmons and Baby Phat partnered with Smile Train in the #AllSmilesAreBeautiful campaign to design and produce an exclusive limited edition All Smiles Are Beautiful t-shirt.

February 2022: Estrangement from Tim Leissner

In February 2022, it was revealed that Kimora Lee Simmons and Tim Leissner were estranged from each other.

August 2022: Back-to-School Giveaway with Family Dollar and Crayola

In August 2022, Kimora Lee Simmons, Baby Phat, and Phat Farm partnered with Family Dollar and Crayola to host a back-to-school giveaway benefiting families facing financial hardship in the Los Angeles area.

2023: Lawsuit Against Tim Leissner

In 2023, Kimora Lee Simmons filed a lawsuit against Tim Leissner claiming that "shares worth about US$93 million that he was ordered to forfeit as part of his 1MDB guilty plea actually belong to her".