Ming Lee Simmons is a 26-year-old American model, fashion entrepreneur, and social media influencer — the daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons — who has built her own identity as Co-Creative Director of Baby Phat and a sought-after brand collaborator with over 1.4 million Instagram followers.
She is no longer just a famous kid. Ming Lee has graduated from NYU, relaunched a legacy fashion brand, and landed campaigns for SKIMS, Glossier, and Alexander Wang — all before turning 26. This is her full story, updated for 2026.
📌 Quick Bio Snapshot
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Ming Lee Simmons |
| Date of Birth | January 21, 2000 |
| Age (2026) | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American, Japanese, Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Education | NYU, BA Fashion Business & Consumer Behavior (2023) |
| Profession | Model, Entrepreneur, Creative Director |
| Net Worth (2026) | ~$1–2 million (estimated) |
| @mingleesimmons (1.4M+ followers) |
Who Is Ming Lee Simmons?
Ming Lee Simmons was born on January 21, 2000, in New York City. She is the eldest daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons — supermodel, designer, and Baby Phat founder — and Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. Growing up between fashion shows and music industry events, Ming was never far from a camera or a runway.
Her mixed heritage — African American, Japanese, and Korean — mirrors her mother's multicultural identity. It has also shaped her aesthetic: clean, elevated, and culturally layered. She modelled for Baby Phat at age two and walked the New York Fashion Week runway alongside her mother as a teenager.
She is not just riding her parents' legacy. She is actively reshaping it.
Ming Lee Simmons Age and Early Life
Ming turned 26 in January 2026. She grew up primarily in New Jersey and New York City, attending school in the Garden State before heading to Manhattan for college. Her childhood was documented on the family's reality series Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, which aired on the Style Network and E! Entertainment Television.
Her early years gave her something rare: hands-on fashion education before most designers finish high school. By the time she enrolled at NYU, she already had runway experience, campaign credits, and a working understanding of brand identity.
She graduated from New York University in 2023 with a degree in Fashion Business and Consumer Behavior. That academic foundation now drives her work as a creative director.
For a parallel look at another child of celebrity fame building their own path, see our profile of Henry Samuel: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Family.
Ming Lee Simmons Height and Physical Profile
| Attribute | Measurement |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 173 cm |
| Weight | ~50 kg / 110 lbs |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Body Measurements | 34-24-35 inches |
| Build | Slim / Model frame |
Ming stands at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm), which places her comfortably within professional modelling range. She has a natural, dewy beauty aesthetic — something she leans into with brand partnerships in skincare and lifestyle.
Her look is deliberately non-conformist. She does not chase a single aesthetic but moves across campaigns with a quiet versatility that has made her a repeat collaborator for brands with very different audiences.
Ming Lee Simmons Career: From Baby Phat to Global Campaigns
Ming's career trajectory is one of the more interesting in Gen Z fashion. She did not simply inherit a platform. She stepped away, studied, then returned with an actual plan.
Modelling Work
Her confirmed campaign credits include:
- SKIMS (Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand)
- Good American (Khloé Kardashian's denim line)
- Glossier (beauty)
- Alexander Wang (luxury streetwear)
- Marc Jacobs (editorial)
- Tiffany & Co. (lifestyle)
- Sol de Janeiro (beauty and wellness)
She has also appeared on the covers of CR Fashion Book, TMRW, and Galore, and been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, Interview Magazine, and Hypebae.
Baby Phat: Co-Creative Director
In 2019, Kimora Lee Simmons officially relaunched Baby Phat. Ming stepped in as Co-Creative Director alongside her mother and sister Aoki. She plays an active role in design, branding, and creative strategy — not a figurehead role, but a functional one. She has helped steer the brand toward a Gen Z audience without erasing its 2000s nostalgia.
Leila: Brand Co-Founder
Ming and Aoki co-founded Leila, a lifestyle brand, further signalling that both sisters are building distinct entrepreneurial identities beyond Baby Phat.
Ming Lee Simmons Net Worth in 2026
Estimating Ming's net worth requires separating signal from noise. Several sites have published inflated figures (including one citing $55 million, which is not credible for a 26-year-old still early in her career).
A realistic estimate, based on her modelling income, brand deals, co-creative directorship, and equity stake in her own ventures, puts her net worth at approximately $1–2 million as of 2026. This is consistent with someone at her career stage — highly active, building equity, but not yet at executive-level compensation.
Her income sources include:
- Modelling contracts with major brands
- Social media sponsorships (1.4M+ Instagram audience)
- Baby Phat creative role (salary and possible equity)
- Leila brand (co-founder equity)
- Magazine and editorial fees
For comparison, you can read about how other figures from multi-generational entertainment families build wealth in our profile of Romain Dauriac: Age, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Life Beyond Scarlett Johansson.
Ming Lee Simmons Family: Parents and Siblings
Parents
| Parent | Who They Are |
| Kimora Lee Simmons | Supermodel, designer, Baby Phat founder, TV personality |
| Russell Simmons | Co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, fashion entrepreneur |
Her parents married in December 1998 and separated in 2006. Their divorce was finalised in 2009. Both remain prominent figures in their respective industries.
Her maternal grandparents are Joanne Perkins (Japanese and Korean heritage) and Vernon Whitlock Jr. (African American). Her paternal grandparents are Daniel Simmons Sr. and Evelyn Simmons.
An interesting family sidebar: Ming's godmother is Tyra Banks, one of the most influential models in fashion history.
Siblings
- Aoki Lee Simmons (born August 16, 2002) — Ming's younger sister and creative collaborator
- Kenzo Lee Hounsou (born 2009) — half-brother, son of Kimora and actor Djimon Hounsou
- Wolfe Lee Leissner (born 2015) — half-brother, son of Kimora and Tim Leissner
- Gary Lee (adopted ~2019) — adopted half-brother
The Simmons-Lee family remains one of the most visible multigenerational dynasties in American fashion and entertainment.
Ming Lee Simmons Boyfriend and Relationship History (2026)
Ming keeps her romantic life deliberately private. Here is what is confirmed versus speculated:
Confirmed
- Taimaru (2016–2019): Ming publicly revealed this relationship on her 18th birthday via Instagram. Taimaru is a young man of Asian heritage. They dated for approximately three years and appeared happy in shared social media posts before parting ways.
Unconfirmed / Rumoured
- Swae Lee (2019): Ming was linked to rapper Swae Lee after posting cosy photos together. Swae Lee's then-girlfriend Marliesia Ortiz publicly addressed the situation on social media. Neither Ming nor Swae Lee confirmed a relationship.
- 2024–2026: No confirmed partner has been publicly identified. Ming appears to be focused on her career and business ventures.
As of May 2026, Ming Lee Simmons does not have a publicly confirmed boyfriend. She has consistently chosen to keep her personal relationships out of the public eye — and that is a choice worth respecting.
Ming Lee Simmons on Social Media
| Platform | Handle | Followers (2026) |
| @mingleesimmons | 1.4M+ | |
| Twitter/X | @mingleesimmons | ~2,100 |
Instagram is her primary platform. She uses it for campaign content, brand partnerships, and personal lifestyle posts. Her aesthetic is clean and consistent: minimal filters, strong natural light, and fashion-forward styling. She joined Twitter in August 2014 but has never prioritised it.
What Makes Ming Lee Different From Other Celebrity Kids?
Most children of famous parents either chase the spotlight or run from it. Ming has done something more strategic: she earned credentials first, then returned.
- She took time off during her teenage years to focus on academics
- She completed a four-year university degree before leaning fully into public life
- She joined Baby Phat as a working creative director, not a figurehead
- She built her own brand (Leila) alongside her sister independently
That approach is rare. It gives her a credibility layer that pure influencer culture cannot manufacture.
For another example of a public figure navigating life beyond inherited fame, read our piece on Debby Clarke Belichick: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Boyfriend.
FAQ: Ming Lee Simmons
Q: How old is Ming Lee Simmons in 2026?
A: Ming Lee Simmons is 26 years old. She was born on January 21, 2000, in New York City. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.
Q: How tall is Ming Lee Simmons?
A: Ming Lee Simmons stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. Her professional modelling measurements are approximately 34-24-35 inches.
Q: Who are Ming Lee Simmons' parents?
A: Her parents are Kimora Lee Simmons, the fashion designer and Baby Phat founder, and Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. They were married from 1998 to 2009.
Q: What does Ming Lee Simmons do for work?
A: She is a model, Co-Creative Director of Baby Phat, co-founder of the Leila lifestyle brand, and a social media influencer. She has modelled for SKIMS, Glossier, Alexander Wang, and Tiffany & Co., among others.
Q: What is Ming Lee Simmons' net worth?
A: Her net worth is estimated at approximately $1–2 million as of 2026. This reflects modelling income, brand deals, her Baby Phat creative role, and equity in Leila. Figures above $10 million circulating online are not credible for her career stage.
Q: Does Ming Lee Simmons have a boyfriend in 2026?
A: As of 2026, Ming Lee Simmons does not have a publicly confirmed partner. She has consistently kept her romantic life private. Her last confirmed relationship was with Taimaru, which ended around 2019.
Q: What did Ming Lee Simmons study at university?
A: She graduated from New York University in 2023 with a degree in Fashion Business and Consumer Behavior. That education directly informs her role as Co-Creative Director at Baby Phat.
Q: Who is Ming Lee Simmons' sister?
A: Her sister is Aoki Lee Simmons, born on August 16, 2002. The two collaborate professionally and co-founded the lifestyle brand Leila together.
Q: What is Baby Phat, and what is Ming's role in it?
A: Baby Phat is a streetwear and lifestyle brand originally founded by Kimora Lee Simmons in the late 1990s. It was relaunched in 2019. Ming serves as Co-Creative Director, working on design, branding, and creative strategy alongside her mother.
Q: Is Ming Lee Simmons related to Russell Simmons?
A: Yes. Russell Simmons is her father. He is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and a significant figure in hip-hop history. Ming and her sister Aoki are his daughters with Kimora Lee Simmons.
References
- models.com — Ming Lee Simmons profile: https://models.com/people/ming-lee-simmons
- thecityceleb.com — Ming Lee Simmons Bio (2026): https://www.thecityceleb.com/biography/personality/model/ming-lee-simmons-bio-parents-age-height-net-worth-children-boyfriend-ethnicity-plastic-surgery/
- atlantablackstar.com — Kimora Lee Simmons family update (April 2026): https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/04/22/kimora-lee-simmons-estranged-husband-files-for-divorce-after-nearly-12-years-requests-custody-and-spousal-support/
- tuko.co.ke — Ming Lee Simmons relationship history: https://www.tuko.co.ke/facts-lifehacks/celebrity-biographies/460497-who-ming-lee-simmonss-boyfriend-relationship-dating-history/
- news.amomama.com — Ming Lee Simmons boyfriend feature: https://news.amomama.com/87266-kimora-lee-simmons-daughter-a-longtime-b.html
