Tim Leissner, the estranged husband of fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons, has formally initiated divorce proceedings, marking a significant legal step after approximately four years of separation. The 56-year-old finance executive submitted documentation to the Los Angeles Superior Court on February 4, as reviewed by the Daily Mail, stating that irreconcilable differences had led to the breakdown of their 12-year marriage.
Legal Demands and Financial Requests
The German-born banker, who married Simmons in March 2014, has made several notable requests in his filing. He is seeking spousal support from Simmons while simultaneously requesting the court to prevent her from obtaining any financial support from him. Additionally, Leissner has asked the court to order Simmons to cover his legal expenses associated with the divorce case.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Kimora Lee Simmons for comment on the developing story. The Baby Phat entrepreneur and Leissner share an 11-year-old son named Wolfe Lee Leissner.
Kimora Lee Simmons' Family Background
Kimora Lee Simmons, originally from St. Louis, is a mother to five children. Her family includes daughters Ming, 25, and Aoki, 23, from her previous marriage to Russell Simmons, 68. She also has a 16-year-old son named Kenzo with former boyfriend Djimon Hounsou, 61, and a 13-year-old adopted son named Gary, whom she welcomed into her family in 2020.
Simmons began her relationship with Tim Leissner following her separation from Djimon Hounsou. Her previous partnership with the actor, known for roles in films such as Amistad, Blood Diamond, and Guardians of the Galaxy, lasted from 2007 to 2012.
Leissner's Legal Troubles and Incarceration
In August 2018, Tim Leissner pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to launder money and conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in connection with a transaction involving the Malaysian government. As part of his plea agreement, the U.S. Justice Department reported in 2023 that Leissner forfeited $43 million in cash along with shares of stock valued at over $200 million.
In February of this year, Leissner surrendered to authorities at the United States Penitentiary in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, to begin serving a two-year prison sentence, according to his attorney Henry Mazurek in a statement to Bloomberg.
Previous Marriage to Russell Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons was previously married to Russell Simmons from 1998 until their divorce was finalized in 2009. The Def Jam co-founder's career has faced significant challenges since late 2017, when at least 15 women accused him of sexual misconduct amid the rise of the MeToo movement. Russell Simmons has consistently denied all allegations.
In an attempt to salvage his reputation, Russell Simmons launched a publicity campaign with the slogan #NotMe in December 2017, stating, "I will prove without any doubt that I am innocent of all rape charges. My intention is not to diminish the #MeToo movement in any way, but instead hold my accusers accountable." However, he abandoned the campaign less than a month later and subsequently relocated to Bali, Indonesia.
Recent Family Tensions and Public Disputes
Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons experienced public tension late last year, primarily concerning issues between Russell and their daughters. After Russell accused Kimora of attempting to turn their daughters against him, Kimora responded on social media in December, stating, "My 'girls' are GROWN WOMEN! You know these are lies. Why are you typing from thousands of miles away in a non-extradition country? Go negotiate and answer your accusers."
In an earlier interview with People magazine, Kimora discussed her parenting role, saying, "Usually I would say that I co-parent okay, but the kids are with me full-time. I'm pretty much the primary parent. It's difficult, but I don't know sometimes what other people are thinking. Guys are weird."
Russell Simmons has also faced criticism for his social media activity in 2024, where he defended celebrities who visited him overseas, including Usher, Taraji P. Henson, and Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who have since faced online backlash for maintaining associations with him. In his defense, Russell Simmons highlighted his past activism, stating, "Black people, did you forget that I got 10,000 black men out of jail? … And that I registered more of you to vote than probably anybody you know? And I worked for Black Lives Matter and every movement that’s helped our people - all the women’s rights and even gay rights movements that I did so much work for."
