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

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Carlos Alman is the Dominican-born father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. His full name is Carlos Julio Almanzar, as his daughter confirmed publicly in 2020. He moved to the United States in 1990 and worked as a taxi driver in New York City.

Contents

His family lived in the South Bronx and Washington Heights, where Dominican and Trinidadian traditions shaped their daily lives. Carlos and Clara Almánzar raised two daughters together, Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Although his daughter’s success brought the family into the public eye, Carlos has maintained a largely private life. His background includes immigration, working-class employment, and years of supporting his family.

Who Is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman is best known as the father of Cardi B, whose birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. He was born in the Dominican Republic and later settled in New York.

Before his daughter became a Grammy-winning artist, Carlos worked in the city’s taxi industry. His life centered on regular employment and raising a family rather than working in entertainment.

Detail Information
Full name Carlos Julio Almanzar
Commonly searched name Carlos Alman
Birthplace Dominican Republic
Immigration United States, 1990
Former occupation New York City cab driver
Former spouse Clara Almánzar
Publicly known daughters Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina
Recent documented appearance September 13, 2025

Carlos Alman’s Real Name and Identity

Carlos Alman, Carlos Almanzar, and Carlos Julio Almánzar

Cardi B identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar in May 2020. She also confirmed his Dominican background and described his years working as a cab driver.

His surname often appears as Almánzar, with an accent, or Almanzar without one. Carlos Alman is a shorter spelling widely used in online searches.

These forms refer to Cardi B’s father when attached to her confirmed family history. The longer name Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan has not been established by a reliable public identification.

Why Carlos Alman Is Sometimes Confused With Other People

A similar name appears in professional baseball. Carlos Manuel Almánzar played as a Major League Baseball pitcher and was born in 1973.

TV Guide also lists a Carlos Alman as an actor, including a credit associated with Kate and Mim-Mim.

Neither professional record establishes that the person is Cardi B’s father. His confirmed background concerns family life and taxi driving, not a documented acting or baseball career.

Carlos Alman’s Early Life and Dominican Background

His Roots in the Dominican Republic

Carlos comes from the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation with strong Spanish-language and musical traditions.

His Dominican heritage became part of his children’s cultural upbringing. Cardi B has regularly celebrated the food, language, and family customs connected to her father’s homeland.

His own childhood, education, and early employment in the Dominican Republic have remained outside his public biography.

Moving From the Dominican Republic to the United States

Carlos moved to the United States in 1990, according to his daughter’s account.

He settled in New York, a city with established Dominican immigrant communities. He later worked in passenger transportation and raised his family there.

His story reflects an immigrant employment path involving service work and household responsibilities. His immigration date does not establish his current citizenship status.

Growing Up as a Family in the Bronx and Washington Heights

Carlos raised his children around two New York neighborhoods: the South Bronx and Washington Heights.

Cardi B spent time at her paternal grandmother’s home in Washington Heights. The area has a large Dominican community, while the Bronx has deep ties to hip-hop and Caribbean culture.

The family environment exposed her to English and Spanish. It also connected her to the city’s Black and Latino communities, which became part of her public identity.

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

His Years Working as a Cab Driver

Carlos worked as a New York City taxi driver for nine years, according to Cardi B’s 2020 statement.

In a 2016 interview with The FADER, Cardi discussed helping her father leave cab driving. She considered buying a bodega so he could earn money through a family business.

By 2017, the store plan had been dropped. Cardi offered him an allowance, but he wanted work instead of regular payments from his daughter.

His reported retirement came around the period when her music career began gaining wider success.

His Support for New York Taxi Drivers

Carlos remained concerned about taxi workers after his driving career.

In 2019, Cardi B responded to The New York Times series The Weekly, which examined financial problems affecting city drivers. She said her father continued campaigning for cab drivers.

The industry faced major problems involving vehicle costs, driver income, and taxi-medallion debt. Some drivers carried large loans while trying to cover daily operating expenses.

Cardi used her public platform to call for better treatment of drivers and their working conditions.

Carlos Alman’s Family: Wife, Marriage, and Children

Carlos Alman and Clara Almánzar’s Marriage and Divorce

Carlos was married to Clara Almánzar, Cardi B’s Trinidadian-born mother. Clara worked as a cashier while the couple raised their children.

Their relationship ended when Cardi was 13, around 2005. The rapper discussed the separation in 2022 and recalled feeling that she had gained more freedom afterward.

Both parents remained part of her life after their marriage ended. Carlos’s current marital status is private.

His Daughters: Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina

Carlos and Clara have two publicly confirmed daughters together.

Their elder daughter, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, was born on October 11, 1992. She became internationally famous as Cardi B.

Their younger daughter, Hennessy Carolina, was born on December 22, 1995. She has worked in fashion and appeared on reality television.

Both sisters grew up with connections to the Bronx and Washington Heights.

How Many Children Does Carlos Alman Have?

Carlos and Clara share two daughters: Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina.

Claims about additional children, including a reported total of eight, lack reliable public confirmation. His complete number of children has not been established.

Carlos Alman’s Relationship With Cardi B

His Role in Cardi B’s Childhood and Success

Cardi B has spoken about wanting to improve her parents’ financial situation.

In 2016, she considered opening a business for her father. The following year, she explained how he preferred finding another job to accepting an allowance.

Her early success through social media and reality television gave her more financial choices. These interviews show how helping her family became one of her goals as she entered the recording industry.

Public Appearances With Cardi B in 2018 and 2025

Carlos attended Cardi B’s Gold Album celebration in New York on April 10, 2018. Photographs show him alongside his daughter during the event.

On September 13, 2025, the pair appeared together again in Washington Heights. Reuters photographer Adam Gray documented their arrival at a bodega pop-up event.

The 2025 appearance provided a recent public image of Carlos alongside his famous daughter.

Carlos Alman’s Role as a Father and Grandfather

Carlos has also supported Cardi B after she became a mother.

Following the birth of Kulture in July 2018, she thanked her parents for their assistance. She explained that her father helped by running errands in New York.

His role as a grandfather has remained part of their family relationship as Cardi’s household has grown.

How Carlos Alman’s Dominican Heritage Influenced Cardi B

Dominican and Trinidadian Roots in Cardi B’s Upbringing

Cardi B grew up with two Caribbean backgrounds. Her father brought Dominican traditions into the home, while her mother came from Trinidad.

The family’s life in New York combined these influences with American hip-hop culture.

In a 2018 GQ interview, Cardi explained that her father spoke to her in Spanish. Her bilingual upbringing also shaped her distinctive New York accent.

Spanish Language, Dominican Food, and Family Traditions

Carlos introduced his daughter to foods she still enjoys.

In 2018, Cardi shared that her father taught her to eat tomatoes with salt. In 2021, she credited him for her taste for mondongo, a traditional stew made with tripe and vegetables.

She also described herself and her father as personality twins because they both enjoyed joking.

These are direct examples of the food habits and family humor she learned from him.

Dominican Culture in Cardi B’s Music and Public Identity

Cardi B’s Caribbean roots have appeared in her music.

Her 2018 hit I Like It featured Bad Bunny and J Balvin. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her album Invasion of Privacy won Best Rap Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

On January 31, 2026, Cardi performed Bodega Baddie on Saturday Night Live. Dominican musician El Prodigio joined her, bringing traditional merengue and accordion sounds to the stage. She also wore clothing inspired by the Dominican flag.

How Old Is Carlos Alman? Birth Date and Age

Carlos Alman has not publicly confirmed his exact birth date.

Some biographical profiles give March 19, 1958, as his birthday, which would make him 68 in October 2026. That date lacks independent confirmation from an authenticated birth record.

His exact age therefore remains unverified.

Carlos Alman’s Net Worth and Financial Background

Carlos Alman has no publicly verified net-worth figure.

His known career involved taxi driving rather than entertainment. Neither his employment history nor his daughter’s financial success establishes his personal wealth.

Details about his savings, property, investments, retirement income, and other assets remain private. Claims assigning him a specific fortune should not be treated as confirmed financial information.

Carlos Alman’s Life Today: Retirement, Privacy, and Social Media

Carlos reportedly retired from cab driving around the time his daughter’s career took off.

He has continued to appear at selected family events, including the September 2025 gathering in Washington Heights.

Unlike Cardi B, he does not maintain a widely established public entertainment career. No official social media profile has been reliably identified for him.

His present employment and residence have not been publicly confirmed.

Carlos Alman Rumors, False Claims, and Online Misinformation

The 2020 False Allegations and Cardi B’s Response

In May 2020, false allegations about Carlos circulated on social media.

Cardi B rejected the claims publicly. She identified her father by his full name and explained that he had immigrated in 1990.

She also challenged the alleged evidence and defended her family’s reputation. The accusations were not established as fact.

The January 2026 Rumor and Fact-Checking

Another false allegation spread in January 2026 through a screenshot presented as an answer from Grok.

BET reported on January 6 that the viral image appeared doctored. Cardi B publicly denied its claims.

The incident involved an unverified social media image, not an authenticated criminal record. It renewed unwanted attention toward her father’s private life.

Carlos Alman’s Life Timeline: Key Milestones and Public Records

Carlos’s family history includes several documented dates, from his arrival in America to public appearances with his daughter.

Year Event
1990 Carlos immigrates from the Dominican Republic to the United States.
1992 Cardi B is born on October 11.
1995 Hennessy Carolina is born on December 22.
Around 2005 Carlos and Clara separate when Cardi is 13.
2016 Cardi discusses her father’s cab-driving work with The FADER.
2017 Cardi explains that her father preferred employment to an allowance.
April 2018 Carlos attends his daughter’s Gold Album celebration.
2019 Cardi discusses her father’s continued support for taxi drivers.
May 2020 Cardi publicly identifies her father and rejects false allegations.
September 2025 Reuters photographs Carlos with Cardi in Washington Heights.
January 2026 Cardi denies another fabricated allegation about her father.

Conclusion

Carlos Julio Almanzar is the Dominican-born father of Cardi B and a former New York City taxi driver. His family history connects the South Bronx and Washington Heights with Caribbean traditions.

His relationship with his daughters, his years of employment, and his occasional public appearances are documented parts of his life. Despite his daughter’s international fame, Carlos continues to keep most personal matters private.

FAQs

Who is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman, whose full name is Carlos Julio Almanzar, is the Dominican-born father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B and a former New York City taxi driver.

Where is Carlos Alman from?

Carlos Alman is originally from the Dominican Republic. He moved to the United States in 1990 and later lived in New York City.

What did Carlos Alman do for a living?

Carlos Alman worked as a New York City cab driver for nine years, according to Cardi B. He has since reportedly retired from taxi driving.

How old is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman is reportedly 68 years old in 2026, based on an unverified 1958 birth year. His exact date of birth remains unconfirmed.

Who is Carlos Alman’s wife?

Carlos Alman was previously married to Clara Almánzar, the mother of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. They separated when Cardi was 13 years old.

How many children does Carlos Alman have?

Carlos Alman shares two publicly confirmed daughters with Clara Almánzar: Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. His complete number of children has not been independently verified.

What is Carlos Alman’s net worth?

Carlos Alman’s net worth is not publicly verified. His personal assets, retirement income, and financial holdings have not been disclosed through reliable public records.

Is Carlos Alman still alive?

There is no reliable report confirming Carlos Alman’s death. Reuters photographed him with Cardi B in September 2025, and she publicly defended him in January 2026.

 

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