Russell Wendell Simmons is an American business magnate.
He co-founded the hip hop music label Def Jam and created the clothing fashion lines
Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics.
Simmons has been described as the third richest figure in hip hop, having a net-worth estimate
of $340 million in 2011.
Early life and education Simmons was raised in Queens, New York.
Simmons' father is a public school administrator, and his mother, a New York City park administrator.
His brothers are painter Daniel Simmons, Jr., and Rev Run of Run-DMC.
In 1975, after graduating from August Martin High School, Simmons briefly attended the
City College of New York in Harlem.
In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University awarded Russell Simmons an Honorary Doctorate Degree
in Humane Letters for his work as Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
and for promoting mindfulness, compassion and interreligious collaboration in the public
sphere.
Career
In 1985 Russell Simmons co-produced and appeared in the film, Krush Groove.
Simmons' company, Rush Communications, Inc. includes, Def Jam, Phat Farm, a movie production
house, television shows such as HBO's Def Comedy Jam, a magazine and an advertising
agency.
Simmons co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin who sold his share of the company for $2 billion
to Universal Music Group in 1996.
In 2000, he co-founded the Internet start-up 360 Hip Hop which he later sold to BET.
Simmons was the star of the 2010 reality TV show Running Russell Simmons.
He is majority shareholder of the website Global Grind.
Personal life Marriage
Simmons met then-17-year-old, model Kimora Lee in November 1992.
They dated for four years and married on December 20, 1998 on the island of Saint Barthélemy.
They have 2 daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.
In March 2006, Simmons announced his divorce from Lee.
Simmons lived with his wife and family in a Saddle River, New Jersey home that covered
35,000 square feet.
Activism Russell Simmons has been vegan since 1999
and advocates Ahimsa and veganism citing animal rights along with the environmental and health
benefits.
Simmons is a supporter of Farm Sanctuary, an organization working to end cruelty to
farm animals.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals awarded him with the 2001 PETA Humanitarian
Award and the 2011 Person of the Year Award.
Simmons became Chairman of Board of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding in 2002.
In May 2009, he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Slavery Memorial at the United
Nations to honor the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade by UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon.
In a similar vein, Simmons is a supporter of the Somaly Mam Foundation, and was honored
at their 2011 gala dinner.
Simmons officially endorses the second Muslim Jewish Conference 2011.
Together with Rabbi Marc Schneier he served as the official patron of the conference held
July 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine.
In 2011, he took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, visiting the protestors at Zuccotti
Park often and for many consecutive days.
Simmons is also a long-time supporter for gay rights.
He encourages marriage equality.
In 2011, when Lowe's withdrew funding from the show All-American Muslim, Simmons promised
to pay the Learning Channel for any revenue lost.
In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election campaign, appearing
with the politician at various speaking events.
“We can’t afford to lose Dennis, because he is the voice of Main Street Americans and
progressive politics,” Simmons said in a statement.
In November 2013, he pledged support for New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in
recognition of his support for animal rights.
Beliefs In January 2011 he stated in an interview
that he is not a Buddhist as previously reported, but is a non-religious practitioner of Yoga,
where he prays to the Ātman, or the self.
Simmons practices a method of Yoga known as Jivamukti Yoga, which encourages vegetarianism
and social and environmental activism.
Simmons is a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation and a supporter of the David Lynch
Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace, which was established to
ensure that any child in America who wants to learn and practice TM can do so.
Russell also co-wrote Do You-12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and
Success with Chris Morrow in 2007.
On January 4, 2011 he published the book Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All, which espouses
giving as a lifestyle choice.
Other relationships Simmons began dating actress Shannon Elizabeth
in early 2014.
References
Further reading Kugel, Allison.
"Russell Simmons Talks to PR.com - "My Religion is Compassion"".
PR.com.
External links Bio and photo of Russell Simmons — Crain's
New York Business 40 under 40 — 1992 Russell Simmons' Written Portrait Of His Family
Current information on Def Poetry Jam Biography from Salon
Russell and his brothers featured in the documentary film, Lemonade Stories.
Russell Simmons Interview on CBC Russell Simmons Interview on Soundslam
Voices on Antisemitism Interview with Russell Simmons & Marc Schneier from the US Holocaust
Memorial Museum Run Athletics
Russell Simmons on VYou!