Cardi B is one of the biggest stars in music today. Her songs play everywhere, and her name is known around the world. But behind this famous rapper is a quiet man most people know very little about. That man is her father, Carlos Alman.
Cardi B loves her dad very much. On Father’s Day, she once called him her “personality twin.” That sweet message showed just how close they are. Yet while Cardi B lives in the spotlight, her father prefers to stay far away from it.
So who is Carlos Alman really? He is more than just a famous rapper’s dad. He has his own story, his own past, and his own quiet strength. His journey started far from New York and shaped the star we know today.
In this article, we will share 10 things you didn’t know about him. We will look at his roots, his job, his marriage, and his kids. We will also explore his close bond with Cardi B. Let’s meet the real man behind the superstar.
Who Is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman is best known as the father of rapper Cardi B. He is also the dad of her sister, Hennessy Carolina, who is a reality TV star and social media influencer. Both daughters are famous, but their father chose a much quieter path in life.
His real full name is Carlos Almánzar. “Alman” is just the short version people use in public. He became known only because of his famous daughter. Before her fame, he lived a normal, private life like most people in his neighborhood.
One thing about Carlos Alman is clear: he does not enjoy the spotlight. He keeps his life very private and away from cameras. You won’t find him chasing attention or fame. He seems happy to let his daughters shine while he stays in the background.
A good example of this happened in 2019. A reporter from Univision tried to film Carlos without warning. Cardi B quickly stepped in to protect him. She warned the reporter not to put her father on TV. She explained that he doesn’t walk around with security and could be at risk.
Carlos Alman’s Early Life
Carlos Alman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. His story did not start in the busy streets of New York. It began on this warm island in the Caribbean. His Dominican roots are a big part of who he is.
He comes from a mixed ethnic background. Not much is known about his early family life, though. In fact, most details about his parents and siblings remain a mystery. He has kept that part of his past very private over the years.
What we do know is his mother’s name. She is called Esperanza Almánzar. Sadly, little else about his childhood or family has been shared publicly. Carlos seems to like keeping these personal memories to himself.
Like many people, Carlos wanted a better life. So he made a big decision that would change everything. In 1990, he left the Dominican Republic behind. He set off for the United States, ready to start fresh in a new country.
Carlos Alman’s Move to New York
In 1990, Carlos Alman moved from the Dominican Republic to New York City. This was a huge step in his life. Moving to a new country is never easy. But he was ready to build a new future for himself and his family.
He settled down in the Bronx, one of New York’s busy areas. The Bronx became his home and the place where he raised his children. It’s also where both Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina grew up during their early years.
Life in the Bronx was not easy for the family. They lived a humble, working-class life with very little money. Cardi B has often spoken about growing up in a tough neighborhood. Those hard early days would later shape her strong personality.
In many ways, Carlos Alman’s move to New York is where Cardi B’s own story truly begins. Without that brave choice, the world may have never met the superstar we know today. His journey opened the door for hers.
What Does Carlos Alman Do for a Living?
For many years, Carlos Alman worked hard as a taxi driver in New York City. Driving a cab is a tough job. It means long hours on busy streets, dealing with traffic and all kinds of people every single day.
He drove a cab for close to nine years. It was honest work, but it did not pay much. Carlos retired around the time his daughter’s music career began to take off. After years of hard work, he finally stepped back from the road.
Cardi B has always been honest about her family’s money struggles. She has said her parents were good people with regular, poor jobs. They worked hard but still didn’t have much. This humble start is something she talks about openly.
Here’s something many people don’t know about Carlos Alman. Even now, he still speaks up for cab drivers in New York. He campaigns for their rights and better conditions. He knows first-hand how hard their lives can be.
In 2019, Cardi B shared this on social media. She reacted to a report about the unfair struggles NYC cab drivers face. She explained that drivers often buy a car, pay the city, and still owe money. Many stay stuck in debt for years, which is deeply unfair.
Carlos Alman’s Marriage to Clara
Carlos Alman’s love story began in the early 1990s. He married Clara Mercedes Almánzar in 1991. The couple started their life together in New York, ready to build a family. Their marriage would bring two very special daughters into the world.
Clara is not from the Dominican Republic like Carlos. She comes from Trinidad and Tobago, another beautiful Caribbean island. Before retiring, she worked as a cashier in a grocery store in the Bronx. She was a hard-working woman who did all she could for her family.
Sadly, their marriage did not last forever. Carlos and Clara separated in 2005. Cardi B has said her parents split up when she was around 13 years old. Interestingly, she once shared that she wasn’t too sad about it back then, as she felt she had more freedom.
It’s worth noting that a few sources slightly disagree on the exact dates. Most say the couple married in 1991 and parted ways in 2005. Even so, one thing stays clear. Carlos Alman remained part of his children’s lives even after the marriage ended.
Carlos Alman’s Children
So how many kids does Carlos Alman have? The answer is eight children in total. That’s a big family! His life as a father is one of the most important parts of his story. Let’s break it down clearly.
Two of his children are with his ex-wife, Clara. The first is Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus. She was born on 11 October 1992. His second daughter with Clara is Hennessy Carolina, born on 22 December 1995.
Carlos Alman also has six more children from an earlier relationship. Not much is known about their mother. Sadly, most of these children stay out of the public eye, just like their father. Only a few of their names have ever been shared.
The known ones include two daughters, Maciel Almanzar and Nicauly Villalona. There is also a son named Fernando Almanzar. The other children remain private, and little information about them is available. Carlos clearly likes to protect his family’s privacy.
Carlos Alman Bond With Cardi B’s
The bond between Carlos Alman and Cardi B is truly sweet. Even though he is quiet and she is a global star, they share a close and loving relationship. Cardi B never misses a chance to show how much she cares for her dad.
Remember that Father’s Day message? She called him her “personality twin.” That tells you a lot. It seems Cardi B gets some of her strong, bold personality straight from her father. They are more alike than many people might think.
Carlos also shared his culture with his daughter. He introduced Cardi B to traditional Dominican food and dishes. This is a lovely part of their bond. Through food and family, he passed a piece of his Dominican roots on to her.
Cardi B is also very protective of her father, as we saw with the reporter in 2019. Her love shows in her actions, not just her words. After she gave birth to her daughter Kulture, she thanked her parents and sister for all their love and support.
The Story of Cardi B’s Family
Family means everything to Cardi B, and it’s easy to see why. She grew up very close to her younger sister, Hennessy Carolina. The two sisters shared a strong bond from a young age and always looked out for each other.
Hennessy once shared a sweet thought about their childhood. She said they grew up protecting each other because they only had each other. That deep sisterly love came naturally to them. It’s a bond that has stayed strong even as both became famous.
Their mother, Clara, also played a big role in Cardi B’s life. She once encouraged Cardi B to leave her job as a stripper. That advice helped push Cardi B toward the music path that made her a star. A mother’s support can change everything.
At the heart of it all was a humble, hard-working family. They didn’t have much money, but they had lots of love. This is why Cardi B never jokes about her family. Her success is deeply tied to the support of her parents and sister.
Carlos Alman’s Life Struggle
Every family faces hard times, and Carlos Alman’s family was no different. Money was often tight when Cardi B and Hennessy were growing up. Life in the Bronx came with real challenges that the family had to face together.
To help make ends meet, Clara worked more than one job. She took on extra work to support the household and care for her children. Her hard work showed just how much she loved her family. She did whatever it took to keep them going.
Some reports say Carlos struggled with addiction during those years. This is often given as one reason why Clara had to work so hard. It’s a sensitive topic, and details are limited. Still, it’s part of the honest picture of the family’s early struggles.
Cardi B has always been open about her humble start. She once said her parents were good people with regular, poor jobs. These hard times were not easy, but they shaped her. That struggle gave her the drive to work hard and chase her dreams.
Where Is Carlos Alman Today?
So what is Carlos Alman up to these days? In 2026, he continues to live a quiet and private life in New York. Retirement suits him well. He enjoys staying out of the spotlight while his daughters handle the fame.
As for his love life, Carlos Alman appears to be single now. He keeps this part of his life very private, so not much is known. After his divorce from Clara, he has not shared any public details about a new relationship.
And what about Clara? She reportedly remarried after the divorce. Her new husband’s name is not public. Many believe she now lives back in the Dominican Republic with him, enjoying a peaceful life away from all the fame.
Even in retirement, Carlos hasn’t forgotten his roots. He still supports causes close to his heart, like the rights of NYC cab drivers. Most of all, he remains a proud father who is happy to watch his famous daughters shine.
10 Interesting Facts About Carlos Alman
- His real full name is Carlos Almánzar, not just “Alman.”
- He was born on 19 March 1958, which makes him a Pisces.
- He comes from the Dominican Republic, a warm Caribbean island.
- He holds Dominican-American nationality and has a mixed background.
- He stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and weighs about 143 pounds (65 kg).
- He spent years working as a taxi driver before retiring.
- His ex-wife is Clara Mercedes Almánzar, famous as Cardi B’s mom.
- He is a proud father of eight children in total.
- Even in retirement, he still fights for cab drivers’ rights in New York.
- He is known for living a very private, low-key life away from fame.
Bottom Line
Carlos Alman may be famous as “Cardi B’s dad,” but his story is truly his own. He is a man who left the Dominican Republic in 1990 to build a better life in New York. He worked hard as a taxi driver and raised a big family with love.
His journey shows quiet strength. He faced money struggles and life’s challenges, yet he stayed humble through it all. Even today, he chooses a private life over fame and still fights for causes he believes in, like cab drivers’ rights.
Most of all, Carlos Alman is a proud and loving father. His close bond with Cardi B proves that family always comes first. Behind one of music’s biggest stars is a caring dad who quietly helped shape her into the woman she is today.
(FAQs)
How old is Carlos Alman in 2026?
Carlos Alman was born on 19 March 1958. That makes him around 68 years old in 2026.
Where is Carlos Alman from?
He was born in the Dominican Republic. In 1990, he moved to the Bronx, New York, where he raised his family.
What does Carlos Alman do for a living?
He worked as a taxi driver in New York City for nearly nine years. He is now retired but still speaks up for cab drivers’ rights.
How many children does Carlos Alman have?
He has eight children in total. Two are with his ex-wife Clara, including Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. The other six are from an earlier relationship.
Is Carlos Alman married now?
No, Carlos Alman appears to be single. He keeps his personal life very private and has not shared any new relationship details.
