Carlos Alman Biography: Cardi B’s Father, Career and Family

Carlos Alman, also known as Carlos Almánzar, is the Dominican father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B and her younger sister, Hennessy Carolina. His daughter has publicly identified him as Carlos Julio Almanzar, a former New York City cab driver who moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1990.

Unlike his famous daughter, Carlos has spent most of his life away from the entertainment industry. His story centers on his immigrant background, his years working in New York, and the family he raised with his former wife, Clara Almánzar. His influence also appears in Cardi B’s cultural identity, family relationships, and personal experiences.

Who Is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman is best known as the father of American rapper Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. He gained public recognition through his daughter’s entertainment career, although he has never pursued the same level of celebrity attention.

Carlos spent years working as a taxi driver in New York City while raising his family. His Dominican heritage and working-class background became important parts of the personal history Cardi B later shared with fans.

In May 2020, Cardi publicly identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar while defending him against false online allegations. Her statement also confirmed his immigration history and nine years of employment as a cab driver.

Carlos Alman Quick Facts

Carlos Alman’s Early Life and Dominican Background

Carlos Alman comes from the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation whose language, food, and traditions became part of his family’s life in New York. Although details about his childhood remain private, his Dominican origins feature prominently in Cardi B’s descriptions of her upbringing.

Carlos moved to the United States in 1990, two years before Cardi B’s birth. He established his life in New York, where large Dominican communities helped preserve the cultural connections that later shaped his daughter’s identity.

His educational history, childhood hometown, and early professional experiences have not entered the reliable public record. What emerges most clearly from his family’s recollections is his role in raising two daughters while working in the city.

Carlos Alman’s Career as a New York City Taxi Driver

Carlos worked as a cab driver in New York City for nine years. His daughter has discussed the financial pressures facing working families and the challenges taxi drivers experience in one of America’s busiest cities.

His occupation became especially relevant as Cardi B began finding success in entertainment. She wanted her parents to enjoy greater financial security rather than continue depending entirely on their regular jobs.

Why Cardi B Wanted to Buy Her Father a Bodega

In February 2016, Cardi B considered purchasing a neighborhood grocery store, commonly called a bodega, for her father. The business would have offered him an alternative to driving a taxi while potentially providing employment and income for the family.

By June 2017, Cardi had abandoned that particular business idea because she considered it financially risky. She offered Carlos regular financial support instead, but he preferred working and earning his own money.

The exchange revealed an important difference between the family’s circumstances before and after Cardi’s growing success. While his daughter could offer financial assistance, Carlos still wanted meaningful employment rather than simply receiving an allowance.

His Continued Concern for Taxi Drivers

Carlos’s connection to the taxi industry extended beyond his own employment. In 2019, Cardi B publicly discussed how her father continued speaking up for cab drivers facing difficult working conditions.

She highlighted the expenses drivers encounter and encouraged people to treat them respectfully. Her comments showed that Carlos maintained an interest in the profession even after his daughter’s career had dramatically changed the family’s financial circumstances.

Carlos Alman’s Wife and Marriage to Clara Almánzar

Carlos Alman was married to Clara Almánzar, a woman from Trinidad who became the mother of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Like Carlos, Clara worked to support the household, spending years employed as a cashier.

Their daughters grew up with two different Caribbean cultural backgrounds. Carlos brought Dominican traditions into the family, while Clara contributed the customs and experiences of her Trinidadian upbringing.

Why Did Carlos Alman and Clara Almánzar Separate?

Carlos and Clara divorced when Cardi B was approximately 13 years old. Their separation changed the family structure during her teenage years, although Cardi has continued to speak appreciatively about both parents.

In a 2022 discussion about divorce, Cardi explained that she initially welcomed the additional freedom that came with her parents living separately. She felt that their separation meant they could no longer supervise her activities as closely at the same time.

Despite the divorce, both parents remained important figures in their daughters’ lives. Their involvement continued as Cardi entered adulthood, developed her music career, and eventually became a mother herself.

Carlos Alman’s Children and Their Careers

Carlos and Clara have two publicly documented daughters together, Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Both entered the entertainment world, although they developed different professional interests and public identities.

Cardi B: From the Bronx to Grammy-Winning Rapper

Cardi B was born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, in New York City. She grew up between the South Bronx and Washington Heights, where her family’s Caribbean background helped shape her speech and cultural identity.

She first attracted attention through her outspoken social media videos and later appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York. Her transition into music brought wider recognition when she released the hit single Bodak Yellow in 2017.

In April 2018, Cardi released her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy. The album won Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards, making her the first solo female rapper to receive that honor.

She continued developing her career through major collaborations and new releases. In September 2025, she released her second studio album, Am I the Drama?, incorporating elements of her Bronx upbringing and Caribbean musical influences.

Hennessy Carolina: Fashion, Television, and Social Media

Hennessy Carolina was born on December 22, 1995, and is Carlos Alman’s younger daughter with Clara. She developed a public profile through social media, reality television, and her interest in fashion design.

Hennessy also appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York, attracting attention through her relationship with Cardi B and her own personality. She later pursued fashion-related opportunities and discussed plans to develop her clothing business.

In a 2018 interview, Hennessy discussed the difficulty of handling public attention and the importance of defending her sister. She explained that their close relationship developed during childhood, when they regularly supported and protected each other.

Her professional ambitions extended beyond television. She expressed interest in designing clothing and exploring acting opportunities while establishing an identity separate from her sister’s music career.

How Carlos Alman Influenced Cardi B’s Cultural Identity

Carlos’s Dominican heritage became one of the defining influences on Cardi B’s upbringing. In a 2018 interview, Cardi explained that her father communicated with her exclusively in Spanish, exposing her to the language throughout childhood.

This bilingual family environment contributed to the distinctive speech patterns that later became recognizable in her music. Cardi has openly discussed her accent and how she initially struggled with pronunciation while recording English-language songs.

Her parents also exposed her to different musical traditions. Clara introduced her to artists such as Madonna and the Pet Shop Boys, while the Dominican side of her family helped maintain her connection to Caribbean music and culture.

That connection remained visible in Cardi’s later career. While discussing her 2025 album, she highlighted a recording that incorporated Dominican merengue influences alongside contemporary Bronx sounds.

Dominican Food Traditions Passed Down From Father to Daughter

Carlos also influenced Cardi B’s food preferences through familiar Dominican dishes and everyday family snacks. She has recalled eating tomatoes with salt because her father introduced her to the combination during childhood.

In 2021, Cardi shared her enjoyment of mondongo, a traditional stew prepared with tripe and vegetables. She credited her father with introducing her to the dish, providing another example of how Dominican culture remained part of her adult life.

These food traditions reveal a more personal side of their relationship. They also demonstrate how immigrant families preserve cultural identity through ordinary habits, even when younger generations grow up in a different country.

The Story of Carlos Alman’s Mother and Cardi B’s Grandmother

Carlos’s own family history also influenced Cardi B’s understanding of work and responsibility. In a September 2025 interview, the rapper described the demanding life her paternal grandmother had experienced in the Dominican Republic.

Her grandmother raised ten children while living in a wooden house. She also worked on a farm, made cheese, and sold mangoes to help support her family.

Cardi contrasted that experience with the opportunities she now enjoys as a successful musician. She explained that remembering her grandmother’s responsibilities encourages her to continue working despite the pressures of raising children and maintaining a demanding career.

Her maternal grandmother had a similarly difficult history, raising 13 children and working various jobs after moving family members to America. Together, these family stories helped shape Cardi’s views about financial independence and providing opportunities for future generations.

Carlos Alman’s Relationship With Cardi B

Carlos has maintained a relationship with his famous daughter throughout her career. Although he rarely gives interviews, Cardi has occasionally shared photographs and memories that offer glimpses into their family bond.

In a 2018 Father’s Day message, she described herself and Carlos as having similar personalities. She particularly highlighted their shared enjoyment of jokes, suggesting that humor formed part of their relationship.

His involvement also became visible when Cardi welcomed her first child, Kulture, in July 2018. She publicly thanked her father for helping with errands in New York while her mother assisted with caring for the newborn.

The practical support mattered during a period when Cardi was adjusting to motherhood alongside her expanding entertainment career. Her appreciation focused on the everyday assistance her parents provided rather than their presence at celebrity events.

Carlos Alman as a Grandfather

Carlos became a grandfather when Cardi B welcomed Kulture in July 2018. His family has since expanded as Cardi welcomed Wave in 2021, Blossom in 2024, and another son in November 2025.

Cardi has repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping her children connected to their extended family. She has also discussed wanting them to experience the community and relationships that shaped her own childhood.

Carlos’s publicly documented involvement as a grandfather includes helping Cardi during Kulture’s early days. The family’s more recent private arrangements and his day-to-day involvement with all four grandchildren have not been publicly detailed.

Carlos Alman’s Public Appearances With Cardi B

Although Carlos maintains a relatively private lifestyle, he has accompanied his daughter to occasional public events. One notable appearance occurred on April 10, 2018, when he attended Cardi B’s album celebration in New York City.

Photographers captured the father and daughter together during the event surrounding her debut album’s release. Those photographs became some of the most recognizable public images of Carlos.

His Appearance at Cardi B’s September 2025 Bodega Event

On September 13, 2025, Carlos accompanied Cardi B to a promotional event at Cloud Deli in Washington Heights, Manhattan. The gathering attracted enthusiastic crowds as she prepared to release Am I the Drama?.

The location held particular personal significance because Cardi had spent part of her childhood in Washington Heights. She later expressed appreciation for the response from residents of the neighborhood she considered her second home.

The appearance also created an interesting connection to Cardi’s earlier career. Almost a decade after considering the purchase of a bodega to help her father financially, she returned to a neighborhood store for a major music promotion with Carlos beside her.

The event provided a recent, independently documented example of their continuing relationship. It also connected three elements of their family history: neighborhood businesses, the Washington Heights community, and Cardi’s rise from local recognition to international fame.

Why Carlos Alman Protects His Privacy

Carlos does not maintain the same visible public profile as his daughter. Most information about his life comes through family comments, occasional public appearances, and photographs taken at events.

Cardi has also defended her father’s privacy when online discussions have targeted him. In May 2020, she rejected false allegations about his past and publicly clarified his name, immigration background, and employment history.

A similar controversy emerged in January 2026 when an unsubstantiated claim about Carlos circulated online through a purported AI-generated screenshot. Cardi again rejected the allegation, emphasizing that her father had never been arrested in the United States.

The incident demonstrated how easily misinformation can spread about relatives of well-known entertainers. It also reinforced Cardi’s determination to challenge claims involving her family rather than allowing fabricated stories to circulate without a response.

Carlos Alman’s Age, Birthday, and Education

Carlos Alman’s exact birthday and age have not received reliable public confirmation. Some online biographies provide precise birth dates, but no sufficiently authoritative record establishes those details as fact.

His formal education also remains undocumented in reliable public biographies. There is no confirmed school, college, or university record that establishes his educational qualifications.

These information gaps reflect the limited public documentation of his life outside his daughter’s fame. His immigration background, past occupation, and immediate family connections remain much more firmly established.

What Is Carlos Alman’s Net Worth?

Carlos Alman’s personal net worth has not been publicly verified. No reliable financial disclosure establishes the value of his assets, investments, savings, or current income.

Although Cardi B has achieved significant commercial success, her earnings do not establish her father’s personal wealth. Her earlier efforts to improve her parents’ financial circumstances show her concern for their well-being, but they do not provide a basis for calculating Carlos’s net worth.

Is Carlos Alman Also an Actor?

Entertainment databases contain a profile for someone named Carlos Alman with a voice-acting credit in the animated television series Kate and Mim-Mim. The credit identifies a performer associated with the character Gobble.

However, no reliable evidence conclusively establishes that this credited performer is Cardi B’s father. The acting credit therefore cannot establish that Carlos Julio Almanzar pursued an entertainment career.

Where Is Carlos Alman Now?

As of October 2026, Carlos Alman continues to maintain a relatively private public profile. His September 2025 appearance alongside Cardi B in Washington Heights offers a recent confirmed glimpse of his life.

Established accounts describe him as a former taxi driver, but his present employment and exact residence have not received reliable public confirmation. He has no widely documented independent business venture, entertainment project, or professional award.

His strongest public connection remains his role within Cardi B’s family. Rather than building a celebrity identity of his own, Carlos has largely remained outside the attention surrounding his daughter’s music career.

Conclusion

Carlos Alman’s life provides important context for understanding Cardi B’s family background and cultural identity. His move from the Dominican Republic to New York in 1990, followed by years of working as a cab driver, established the setting in which his two daughters grew up and eventually entered public life.

His influence extends beyond his former occupation. The Spanish language, Dominican food traditions, neighborhood connections, and memories of previous generations all form part of the family history Cardi B continues to carry into her music and personal life.

Carlos has also remained connected to his daughter as her career and family have expanded. From her early efforts to improve his financial circumstances to their public appearance together in September 2025, their relationship offers a perspective on the people who supported Cardi before and after her success.

Although many personal details about Carlos remain private, his documented history tells a meaningful story about immigration, work, family connections, and the preservation of Caribbean heritage across generations.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman, whose daughter has identified him as Carlos Julio Almanzar, is the Dominican father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B and television personality Hennessy Carolina.

2. Where is Carlos Alman from?

Carlos Alman comes from the Dominican Republic. He moved to the United States in 1990 and subsequently established his family life in New York City.

3. What did Carlos Alman do for a living?

Carlos worked as a taxi driver in New York City for nine years. His daughter has discussed his employment and his continuing concern for cab drivers.

4. Who was Carlos Alman’s wife?

Carlos Alman was married to Clara Almánzar, a Trinidadian woman who previously worked as a cashier. They raised two daughters together before their marriage ended.

5. How many children does Carlos Alman have?

Carlos and Clara have two publicly confirmed daughters together, Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Reliable public information does not establish Carlos’s complete number of children from other relationships.

6. How old is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman’s exact age remains unconfirmed because no sufficiently reliable public record establishes his birth date. Precise ages published on celebrity websites lack authoritative verification.

7. What is Carlos Alman’s net worth?

Carlos Alman’s personal net worth remains unknown. No verified financial information establishes the value of his assets or income, and Cardi B’s earnings do not determine his wealth.

8. Where is Carlos Alman now?

Carlos maintains a private lifestyle, and his current residence remains unconfirmed. He publicly accompanied Cardi B to a promotional event in Washington Heights on September 13, 2025.