Who is Carlos Alman? Everything to know about Cardi B’s dad

Carlos Alman, the biological father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, has managed to keep a low profile despite being thrust into the spotlight due to his daughter’s meteoric rise to fame. Born in the Dominican Republic, Alman immigrated to the United States, where he worked as a taxi driver in New York City for nearly nine years to support his family.

Cardi B has been protective of her father, warning a Univision reporter in 2019 not to put him on TV, citing concerns for his safety. This incident highlights the strong bond between Cardi B and her father, as well as his preference to stay out of the entertainment industry’s spotlight.

Key Takeaways

• Carlos Alman is the father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B.
• He was born in the Dominican Republic and worked as a taxi driver in New York City.
• Cardi B has actively protected her father from unwanted media attention.
• Alman’s life story represents the immigrant experience and its influence on public figures.
• His relationship with Cardi B showcases the impact of family on her life and career.

Carlos Alman: A Brief Profile

Carlos Alman, at 67 years old as of 2025, embodies the spirit of an immigrant who has worked tirelessly to build a new life in America. Born on March 19, 1958, Carlos has maintained a strong and healthy appearance, reflecting his active lifestyle and resilience.

Early Life and Background

Carlos Alman was born in the Dominican Republic, bringing with him a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down to his children. His early life was marked by the influences of Dominican culture and traditions.

Physical Appearance and Current Age

As of 2025, Carlos Alman is 67 years old. He stands about 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a lean build weighing around 143 pounds. His physical features include black hair and dark brown eyes, typical of his Dominican heritage.

Dominican Roots and Heritage

Carlos Alman’s roots in the Dominican Republic significantly shaped his family’s cultural identity. His background is a crucial aspect of understanding his influence on Cardi B and their family.

Birth and Upbringing in the Dominican Republic

Carlos Alman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, where he was immersed in the local culture. This upbringing had a lasting impact on his values and traditions.

Cultural Influence on His Family

The cultural practices and traditions from the Dominican Republic were passed down to his children, including Cardi B. He taught them traditional Dominican cuisine and music, which had a significant influence on their upbringing. Some of the ways he influenced their culture include:

• Introducing traditional Dominican dishes like mondongo
• Sharing the importance of Dominican heritage

Immigration to the United States

Carlos Alman’s decision to immigrate to the United States marked a significant turning point in his life. This move was not just a change of location but a step towards a better future for himself and his family.

Moving to New York City

Upon arriving in New York, Carlos faced the dual challenges of cultural adaptation and economic survival. Like many immigrants, he took on demanding work that required minimal English proficiency but offered a steady income.

• He found employment as a taxi driver, navigating the complex streets of New York City.
• The taxi driving profession provided financial stability but exposed Carlos to the harsh realities of urban life.

Adapting to American Life

Carlos persevered in his new American life, driven by the determination to create better opportunities for his children. His experience adapting to American life while maintaining his cultural identity would later serve as a powerful example for his children, particularly Cardi B.

• He worked hard to support his family, often dealing with long hours and difficult customers.
• Despite these challenges, Carlos stayed strong, motivated by the prospect of a better life for his family in New York.

Career as a New York Taxi Driver

Driving a taxi in New York City was a challenging yet essential job for Carlos Alman to support his family. This profession required him to be on the road for extended periods, navigating through the bustling streets of New York.

Working Long Hours to Support His Family

Carlos Alman worked long hours as a taxi driver to ensure his family was financially stable. His dedication to his work was evident in his commitment to providing for his family, often at the cost of his own well-being. The demanding nature of the job required him to be resilient and hardworking.

Challenges of the Profession

The taxi driving profession presented numerous challenges, including financial pressures and the emergence of ride-sharing services, which affected traditional taxi drivers’ income. Carlos faced health issues due to prolonged sitting and stress from navigating through heavy traffic. Despite these challenges, he continued to work hard and advocate for taxi drivers’ rights, as highlighted by Cardi B’s social media statements.

Marriage to Clara Almanzar

The marriage of Carlos Alman to Clara Almanzar in 1991 was a pivotal moment for the couple. This union marked the beginning of their life together as parents.

Their Relationship and Family Life

Carlos and Clara built a family, having children who would later become significant figures in their own right. Cardi B and her sister Hennessy Carolina were the products of this union. Carlos was known to be a strict but kind father, teaching his children the importance of hard work and cultural pride. The family environment was shaped by their parents’ efforts to instill strong values.

Separation and Divorce in 2005

After approximately 14 years of marriage, Carlos and Clara separated in 2005. Cardi B was around 13 years old at the time, and her sister Hennessy was about 10. The separation was a significant change for the family, but both parents remained involved in their daughters’ lives. Carlos continued to provide guidance and support, playing an active role in their upbringing during their adolescent years.

Who is Carlos Alman? Everything to know about Cardi B’s dad

Carlos Alman’s influence on Cardi B’s life is a testament to the enduring power of parental guidance. As her father, he played a significant role in shaping her early life and instilling the values that would later contribute to her success.

His Role in Cardi B’s Upbringing

Carlos showed Cardi B the importance of hard work and perseverance. Growing up, Cardi B’s family struggled financially, but Carlos’s dedication to his family and his work as a taxi driver taught her how to hustle and never give up.

Values and Lessons He Imparted

Carlos instilled in Cardi B a strong work ethic, cultural pride, and financial responsibility. He taught her to embrace her Dominican heritage and to be resourceful in the face of economic constraints. The values he imparted have had a lasting impact on Cardi B’s life and career.

Carlos Alman’s Children

Carlos Alman’s family is quite extensive, including several children from different marriages. His family life reflects a complex dynamics with multiple relationships.

Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina

With his wife Clara Almanzar, Carlos has two well-known daughters, Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Both have gained significant public attention, with Cardi B being a renowned rapper. They represent a significant part of Carlos’s family with Clara.

His Six Children from Previous Marriage

Carlos also has six children from a previous marriage, including Maciel Almanzar, Nicauly Villalona, and Fernando Almanzar. These children, while not as publicly prominent as Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina, are an integral part of Carlos’s extended family network.

Relationship with Cardi B

The bond between Carlos Alman and his daughter Cardi B is a testament to the strength of family ties, filled with love. Despite Cardi B’s international fame and busy schedule, she and Carlos maintain a close relationship.

Supporting Her Rise to Fame

Carlos Alman played a significant role in Cardi B’s upbringing, introducing her to traditional Dominican dishes and supporting her through various life choices. As a father, he was instrumental in shaping her early life and decisions.

Their Current Bond

Today, Cardi B and Carlos Alman continue to share a strong bond. Cardi B often expresses gratitude for her father’s ongoing presence in her life, especially on occasions like Father’s Day. Their relationship is characterized by mutual respect and genuine affection, with Carlos being involved as a grandfather to her children.

Influence on Cardi B’s Career

Carlos Alman’s influence on Cardi B’s career is multifaceted, reflecting the values and cultural heritage he instilled in her. His impact is evident in her work ethic, determination, and cultural pride.

Work Ethic and Determination

Cardi B’s rise to fame was fueled by the strong work ethic and determination that Carlos Alman instilled in her. Her breakthrough hit “Bodak Yellow” and subsequent work reflect the confidence and assertiveness he encouraged, with lyrics emphasizing self-reliance and determination.

• Her success is a testament to the values Carlos demonstrated throughout her childhood.
• Cardi B’s business decisions and career management also reflect his practical approach to financial security.

Cultural Pride in Her Music

Cardi B’s music often incorporates Spanish language and cultural references, celebrating her Afro-Latina identity. This cultural pride is a direct reflection of Carlos Alman’s emphasis on Dominican heritage.

• The multilingual aspects of her music reflect the bicultural household Carlos created.
• Cardi B’s artistic expression is a manifestation of the cultural values and identity that Carlos instilled in her.

Family Struggles and Challenges

The Alman family faced numerous challenges that tested their resilience and unity. As an immigrant family, they encountered various difficulties that impacted their daily life.

Financial Hardships

Financial struggles were a significant challenge for the Alman family. Carlos worked multiple jobs, including as a taxi driver, to support his family, but they still faced financial hardships. The family’s experience living in the South Bronx during a period of high crime rates and limited resources presented environmental challenges that Carlos worked to help his children navigate safely.

Overcoming Personal Difficulties

Carlos also struggled with addiction at one point, a challenge the family confronted together and overcame with resilience. The parents’ separation and divorce in 2005 represented a significant family transition that Carlos managed with a focus on maintaining relationships with his daughters despite the changed family structure.

The collective challenges they faced ultimately strengthened family bonds and provided Cardi B and her siblings with examples of how to face adversity with determination and mutual support.

Carlos Alman’s Privacy

Cardi B has been vocal about protecting her father’s privacy, ensuring he stays out of the spotlight. This stance is rooted in her understanding of the potential risks associated with being related to a public figure.

Staying Out of the Spotlight

Carlos Alman has managed to maintain a relatively low profile despite being the father of a celebrity. This is partly due to Cardi B’s efforts to keep her personal and family life separate from her public career.

Cardi B’s Protection of Her Father

In 2019, Cardi B confronted a Univision reporter who attempted to interview and film her father without permission. She emphasized the importance of keeping her father out of the media, stating, “Don’t put my father on TV because my dad doesn’t walk around with security and you don’t know people that’s gonna harm my dad.” This incident highlights her commitment to protecting his privacy.

Cultural Legacy and Impact

Carlos Alman’s heritage has had a lasting impact on Cardi B’s identity and artistic expression. His cultural teachings and example have profoundly shaped her identity as an Afro-Latina artist who proudly represents her Dominican heritage on the world stage.

Dominican Traditions in the Family

The cultural traditions that Carlos Alman brought with him from the Dominican Republic have been preserved and celebrated within the family. Cardi B often incorporates Spanish language and cultural references into her songs, reflecting the bilingual household environment that Carlos helped create.

Influence on Cardi B’s Identity

Carlos’s emphasis on maintaining cultural roots while adapting to American society provided Cardi B with a blueprint for navigating her bicultural identity. The confidence with which Cardi B embraces and celebrates her Dominican heritage can be traced directly to Carlos’s positive reinforcement of cultural identity throughout her formative years.

Carlos as a Father Figure

The impact of Carlos Alman on Cardi B’s upbringing cannot be overstated, given his emphasis on hard work and resilience. As a father, Carlos demonstrated through his daily life the importance of persistence and dedication. His experience as an immigrant and a taxi driver working long hours taught Cardi B valuable lessons about the value of hard work.

Parenting Style and Philosophy

Carlos Alman’s parenting was characterized by a strong emphasis on values and determination. He instilled in his children the understanding that success requires sacrifice and delayed gratification. This philosophy helped Cardi B navigate the early struggles of her career.

Lessons on Hard Work and Resilience

Through his example, Carlos taught Cardi B about the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. His immigrant experience served as a living lesson, showing her how to adapt to new circumstances while maintaining core values. This lesson was instrumental in Cardi B’s success in the competitive music industry.

Notable Moments and Quotes

Carlos Alman’s life has been marked by rare public appearances, largely due to his preference for privacy. This limited exposure has been a deliberate choice, reflecting his desire to stay out of the spotlight.

Cardi B’s Tributes to Her Father

Cardi B has occasionally paid tribute to her father in interviews and on social media, showcasing their close relationship. In 2019, she defended her father’s privacy when a Univision reporter attempted to interview him. She stated, “Don’t put my father on TV because my dad doesn’t walk around with security and you don’t know people that’s gonna harm my dad.” This incident highlights Cardi B’s commitment to protecting her father’s private life.

“Don’t put my father on TV because my dad doesn’t walk around with security and you don’t know people that’s gonna harm my dad.”

Public Appearances and Mentions

Despite his preference for privacy, Carlos Alman has made a few public appearances with Cardi B at select events. One documented sighting was at the Moxy Hotel in New York City, captured by photographer Johnny Nunez. When Carlos does appear in public with Cardi B, the media often notes their physical resemblance. The family’s approach to these appearances is carefully managed to balance Cardi B’s public career with Carlos’s desire for privacy in the world of media.

The Immigrant Experience

Carlos Alman’s story is emblematic of the immigrant experience, marked by challenges and resilience. His journey to the United States and subsequent life as a taxi driver in New York City is a testament to the sacrifices made by many immigrants.

Carlos’s Journey as an Immigrant

Carlos’s decision to immigrate to the United States was driven by the desire for a better life. As a taxi driver in New York City, he faced numerous challenges, from long working hours to adapting to a new culture. His experience as a driver new to the city was particularly daunting, yet he persevered, driven by the need to support his family.

Representation in Cardi B’s Story

Cardi B’s rise to fame is deeply intertwined with her father’s immigrant story. Her narrative as the daughter of a Dominican immigrant taxi driver in New York City has become an important representation of first-generation American success. By acknowledging her father’s journey and work ethic, Cardi B brings visibility to the experiences of immigrant families and their contributions to American society.

Conclusion

Behind Cardi B’s success is the unwavering support and guidance of her father, Carlos Alman. His life story represents the powerful influence a parent can have on a child’s development and success. As a Dominican immigrant who worked as a taxi driver in New York City, Carlos instilled in Cardi B the values of hard work and cultural pride. Through his legacy, Carlos continues to inspire not only his family but also many others who see their own stories reflected in his. Ultimately, his influence reminds us that behind every superstar is a family whose love and sacrifices make their dreams possible.

John Struck