Kimora Lee Simmons’ estranged husband, Tim Leissner, has filed for divorce after more than a decade of marriage.
The filing comes as he faces ongoing legal consequences tied to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal and a federal prison sentence.
Meanwhile, Kimora Lee Simmons has continued to focus on her family and business career while reflecting on major life changes.
Tim Leissner Files For Divorce From Kimora Lee Simmons Amid Legal Troubles
Court filings obtained by Us Weekly show that Leissner, 56, submitted the petition on February 4 in Los Angeles, citing irreconcilable differences.
While no exact date of separation was listed, reports suggest the pair has been living apart since at least 2022.
In the filing, Leissner is requesting spousal support from Simmons, 50, while also asking the court to prevent her from receiving financial support from him. He is additionally seeking to have his legal expenses covered.
The former couple shares one son, Wolfe Lee Leissner, 11. Simmons is also mother to several other children: daughters Ming and Aoki from her previous marriage to Russell Simmons, son Kenzo with actor Djimon Hounsou, as well as two sons she has raised, Jaden and Gary.
Leissner’s filing comes amid ongoing legal consequences tied to his role in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Tim Leissner’s Legal Troubles And Divorce Filing Amid 1MDB Scandal Fallout
Leissner, the former Goldman Sachs managing director, pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges related to money laundering and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
As part of his plea deal, he forfeited tens of millions of dollars, along with shares once valued at over $200 million. U.S. authorities estimate that roughly $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund.
Leissner finalized his divorce filing just days before reporting to a federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania on February 6, according to his attorney, Henry Mazurek. Prison records indicate he is expected to be released on September 29, 2027.
During his sentencing, he expressed remorse for his actions, offering an apology to the people of Malaysia and acknowledging the impact of the scandal.
Kimora Lee Simmons Alluded To Her Marital Struggles
While Simmons has not publicly addressed Leissner’s legal issues, she has alluded to significant personal changes in recent interviews.
Speaking in December, she reflected on her evolving life, referencing shifts in her career, relationships, and investments, while emphasizing her role as a mother.
The former model noted that she largely raises her children independently and prioritizes being present for them.
Kimora Lee Simmons’ Relationship Timeline And Reflections On Co-Parenting
Simmons and Leissner were first linked in 2012, shortly after her split from Hounsou. Their marriage was publicly confirmed in 2014, with Russell Simmons addressing speculation at the time and stating that Leissner had already been part of the family.
“All of us love @OfficialKimora, but the fact is she is happily married,” Russell tweeted at the time. “Tim has been family for a while now.”
Before her relationship with Leissner, Simmons was married to Russell Simmons for 11 years before their 2009 divorce, and later dated Hounsou for several years.
In a 2025 interview with People Magazine, Simmons shared that she has little to no relationship with her children’s fathers and largely raises her kids on her own.
She described herself as the primary parent and emphasized her focus on independence and personal growth, adding that she is currently content being single and prioritizing her family.
Kimora Lee Simmons Reflects On Baby Phat Sale, Says She Was Underpaid And Left Out Of Key Deal Talks
Simmons has also opened up about lessons learned from her early business ventures, particularly her work with Baby Phat.
Launched in 1999, Baby Phat grew into a defining fashion brand of the early 2000s, eventually generating over $1 billion in revenue. However, Simmons revealed that when the company was sold, in a deal reportedly valued at around $140 million, she received only a fraction of that amount, estimating her share at about $20 million or less.
She explained that she “missed all of the preliminary conversations” leading up to the sale, meaning key decisions were made without her input.
Looking back, Simmons admitted she doesn’t feel she was fairly compensated for the brand she helped build, describing the experience as a learning moment in navigating business and ownership.
