Russell Wendell Simmons is an American business magnate.
Russell Wendell Simmons is an American business magnate.

He co-founded the hip hop music label Def Jam and created the clothing fashion lines
He co-founded the hip hop music label Def Jam and created the clothing fashion lines

Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics.
Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics.

Simmons has been described as the third richest figure in hip hop, having a net-worth estimate
Simmons has been described as the third richest figure in hip hop, having a net-worth estimate

of $340 million in 2011.
of $340 million in 2011.

Early life and education Simmons was raised in Queens, New York.
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.
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.
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
In 1975, after graduating from August Martin High School, Simmons briefly attended the

City College of New York in Harlem.
City College of New York in Harlem.

In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University awarded Russell Simmons an Honorary Doctorate Degree
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
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
and for promoting mindfulness, compassion and interreligious collaboration in the public

sphere.
sphere.

Career
Career

In 1985 Russell Simmons co-produced and appeared in the film, Krush Groove.
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
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
house, television shows such as HBO's Def Comedy Jam, a magazine and an advertising

agency.
agency.

Simmons co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin who sold his share of the company for $2 billion
Simmons co-founded Def Jam with Rick Rubin who sold his share of the company for $2 billion

to Universal Music Group in 1996.
to Universal Music Group in 1996.

In 2000, he co-founded the Internet start-up 360 Hip Hop which he later sold to BET.
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.
Simmons was the star of the 2010 reality TV show Running Russell Simmons.

He is majority shareholder of the website Global Grind.
He is majority shareholder of the website Global Grind.

Personal life Marriage
Personal life Marriage

Simmons met then-17-year-old, model Kimora Lee in November 1992.
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 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.
They have 2 daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

In March 2006, Simmons announced his divorce from 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
Simmons lived with his wife and family in a Saddle River, New Jersey home that covered

35,000 square feet.
35,000 square feet.

Activism Russell Simmons has been vegan since 1999
Activism Russell Simmons has been vegan since 1999

and advocates Ahimsa and veganism citing animal rights along with the environmental and health
and advocates Ahimsa and veganism citing animal rights along with the environmental and health

benefits.
benefits.

Simmons is a supporter of Farm Sanctuary, an organization working to end cruelty to
Simmons is a supporter of Farm Sanctuary, an organization working to end cruelty to

farm animals.
farm animals.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals awarded him with the 2001 PETA Humanitarian
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals awarded him with the 2001 PETA Humanitarian

Award and the 2011 Person of the Year Award.
Award and the 2011 Person of the Year Award.

Simmons became Chairman of Board of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding in 2002.
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
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
Nations to honor the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade by UN Secretary-General

Ban Ki-moon.
Ban Ki-moon.

In a similar vein, Simmons is a supporter of the Somaly Mam Foundation, and was honored
In a similar vein, Simmons is a supporter of the Somaly Mam Foundation, and was honored

at their 2011 gala dinner.
at their 2011 gala dinner.

Simmons officially endorses the second Muslim Jewish Conference 2011.
Simmons officially endorses the second Muslim Jewish Conference 2011.

Together with Rabbi Marc Schneier he served as the official patron of the conference held
Together with Rabbi Marc Schneier he served as the official patron of the conference held

July 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine.
July 2011 in Kiev, Ukraine.

In 2011, he took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, visiting the protestors at Zuccotti
In 2011, he took part in the Occupy Wall Street protests, visiting the protestors at Zuccotti

Park often and for many consecutive days.
Park often and for many consecutive days.

Simmons is also a long-time supporter for gay rights.
Simmons is also a long-time supporter for gay rights.

He encourages marriage equality.
He encourages marriage equality.

In 2011, when Lowe's withdrew funding from the show All-American Muslim, Simmons promised
In 2011, when Lowe's withdrew funding from the show All-American Muslim, Simmons promised

to pay the Learning Channel for any revenue lost.
to pay the Learning Channel for any revenue lost.

In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election campaign, appearing
In 2012, Simmons supported Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election campaign, appearing

with the politician at various speaking events.
with the politician at various speaking events.

“We can’t afford to lose Dennis, because he is the voice of Main Street Americans and
“We can’t afford to lose Dennis, because he is the voice of Main Street Americans and

progressive politics,” Simmons said in a statement.
progressive politics,” Simmons said in a statement.

In November 2013, he pledged support for New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in
In November 2013, he pledged support for New York's mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in

recognition of his support for animal rights.
recognition of his support for animal rights.

Beliefs In January 2011 he stated in an interview
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,
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.
where he prays to the Ātman, or the self.

Simmons practices a method of Yoga known as Jivamukti Yoga, which encourages vegetarianism
Simmons practices a method of Yoga known as Jivamukti Yoga, which encourages vegetarianism

and social and environmental activism.
and social and environmental activism.

Simmons is a practitioner of Transcendental Meditation and a supporter of the David Lynch
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
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.
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
Russell also co-wrote Do You-12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and

Success with Chris Morrow in 2007.
Success with Chris Morrow in 2007.

On January 4, 2011 he published the book Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All, which espouses
On January 4, 2011 he published the book Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All, which espouses

giving as a lifestyle choice.
giving as a lifestyle choice.

Other relationships Simmons began dating actress Shannon Elizabeth
Other relationships Simmons began dating actress Shannon Elizabeth

in early 2014.
in early 2014.

References
References

Further reading Kugel, Allison.
Further reading Kugel, Allison.

"Russell Simmons Talks to PR.com - "My Religion is Compassion"".
"Russell Simmons Talks to PR.com - "My Religion is Compassion"".

PR.com. 
PR.com. 

External links Bio and photo of Russell Simmons — Crain's
External links Bio and photo of Russell Simmons — Crain's

New York Business 40 under 40 — 1992 Russell Simmons' Written Portrait Of His Family
New York Business 40 under 40 — 1992 Russell Simmons' Written Portrait Of His Family

Current information on Def Poetry Jam Biography from Salon
Current information on Def Poetry Jam Biography from Salon

Russell and his brothers featured in the documentary film, Lemonade Stories.
Russell and his brothers featured in the documentary film, Lemonade Stories.

Russell Simmons Interview on CBC Russell Simmons Interview on Soundslam
Russell Simmons Interview on CBC Russell Simmons Interview on Soundslam

Voices on Antisemitism Interview with Russell Simmons & Marc Schneier from the US Holocaust
Voices on Antisemitism Interview with Russell Simmons & Marc Schneier from the US Holocaust

Memorial Museum Run Athletics
Memorial Museum Run Athletics

Russell Simmons on VYou!
Russell Simmons on VYou!