Behind Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B stands a man whose story deserves recognition—Carlos Alman, her father. While his daughter dominates headlines worldwide, Carlos has deliberately chosen a private life away from fame’s spotlight.
Carlos Alman Bio Profile
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Carlos Alman (also Carlos Almanzar) |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1958 |
| Age | 67 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Dominican Republic |
| Nationality | Dominican-American |
| Ethnicity | Dominican, Mixed |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 65 kg (143 lbs) |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Occupation | Retired Taxi Driver |
| Years Active | Nearly 9 years as taxi driver (1990s-2000s) |
| Famous For | Father of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina |
| Mother | Esperanza Almanzar |
| Ex-Wife | Clara Mercedes Almánzar (married 1991, divorced 2005) |
| Children | 8 children total (Cardi B, Hennessy Carolina, and 6 others) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $200,000 – $500,000 |
| Current Residence | The Bronx, New York City |
Childhood: Dominican Background and History
Carlos Alman was born in the Dominican Republic in the year 1958 and was brought up in the rich Caribbean family, community, and resilience culture.
He was raised in excellent values that would lead to his style of parenting. He was greatly influenced by Esperanza Almanzar, his mother who taught him to work hard and also remain proud of his culture.
The rich multi-ethnic cultural fabric of the Dominican Republic with its roots in Africans, Spaniards, and indigenous people became the basis of the identity of Carlos. These would be transmitted to his children, which would be especially evident in how Cardi B proudly displayed her Latino background in the course of her career.
The American Dream: Immigration Journey
The 1990 life changing move was when Carlos decided to abandon all that was known to him and relocate to the United States. Similar to many other immigrants he had come before him, he wanted improved prospects and financial security to be enjoyed by his future family.
Carlos settled in the Bronx, New York City where he had to deal with the normal challenges of an immigrant, fit into the new culture, figure out how to get around new streets and make a new life.
His resilience was challenged by the change in the relaxed, warm climate of the Dominican Republic to the rush in New York City. But Carlos did not give up, and he had a need to build a better future.
Career: Around the Wheel in New York City
Carlos Alman has been a taxi driver in the city of New York almost a decade driving in its strenuous streets. This career also entailed more than driving ability, it involved a lot of patience, street savvy, alertness and the capacity to deal with various passengers on extended shifts.
Being a cab driver was not a glamorous job but it gave him regular wages which could support his increasing family. Carlos spent many evenings late, and subjected himself to the complaints of traffic congestion and physical fatigue associated with long hours behind the wheel.
He was committed to his work, which was taxing but that showed that he was determined to support his children.
Cardi B observed the hardworking nature of her father closely as she saw him go out early and come home with the same appearance that was tired. This is such an impressive statement of persistence, which would subsequently be reflected in her own undying quest to achieve success in the music business.
Eventually, in 2019, Cardi B even defended NYC cab drivers on her social media, speaking about the unfair conditions they have to put up with, which serves as a testament to the influence of her father.
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Family Life: Multicultural Household
Carlos got married to Clara Mercedes Almanzar, a Trinidadian and Spanish woman in the year 1991. Their marriage produced the multicultural family, which combined the Dominican and Trinidadian cultures enriching the upbringing of their daughters with various cultural backgrounds.
They had a couple of daughters:
- Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar (Cardi B) – October 11, 1992
- Hennessy Carolina – December 22, 1995
At the age of 13, in 2005, Carlos and Clara divorced. However, even after the separation, both the parents continued to ensure they loved and supported their girls by co-parenting them. Cardi B subsequently admitted that she was not much sad about the divorce as it brought her more freedom.
Other than Cardi B and Hennessy, Carlos has six other siblings who were a product of an earlier relationship, and they include Maciel Almanzar and Nicauly Villalona as well as Fernando Almanzar. These brothers and sisters do not want to become a public figure but they still make a significant aspect of the life of Carlos.
Parenting Philosophy: Authoritative but Authoritarian
The style of fatherhood at Carlos Alman was a combination of strictness and true affection. He was focused on education, discipline and cultural pride-values that contributed in making both Cardi B and Hennessy self-assured, goal-orientated women.
Her father has been described by Cardi B as a supportive and protective person, whom she attributes with exposing her to traditional Dominican foods such as mondongo and educating her about the history and culture of the Caribbean people. This influence is seen in the fact that he has influenced Cardi to proudly declare herself as an Afro-Latino and she often uses Spanish in her songs and openly expresses her Dominican heritage.
Association with Cardi B: Silent Collaboration
Carlos and Cardi B have a strong mutual respect as the foundation of their relationship. During Father’s Day, Cardi B goes public and writes: Happy Father’s Day to my dad. I am a twin personality twin…I love my dad.
Carlos continued to be a constant figure throughout the rocket to fame of Cardi B, giving her a boost even when the music industry appeared shaky. One thing that drove Cardi B to never give up on her dreams was the experience of being an immigrant and the sacrifices she had to make to earn her living as a taxi driver.
Cardi B is also quite defensive of the privacy of her father. In 2019, she challenged a Univision reporter who tried to film Carlos without his consent telling him: Don’t put my father on TV because my dad does not walk with the security and you do not know people that are going to hurt my dad.
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Life Today: Privacy Over Fame
Carlos Alman has kept a low profile unlike many celebrity parents who have been using the popularity of their children to their advantage. He came out of the taxi driving industry around the time when the career of Cardi B was at its peak and now lives a peaceful life in the Bronx.
Carlos does not use social media and does not like to appear publicly; instead, he prefers the personal, real-life contact and relationships to the digital one. This decision enables him to enjoy a serene life without the scrutiny of the media and live normally even though his daughter is a world star.
His net worth is estimated at $200,000 to $500,000- not so big in the case of Cardi B who has a net worth of about 80 million. Nonetheless, Cardi B has made sure that her parents do not fear about their financial well-being, as she occasionally declares that she wants to provide for them.
Cultural Legacy and Impact
The best legacy that Carlos Alman has left behind is not quantified in terms of money and popularity but the values he left behind to his children. This cultural pride manifests itself in the ways that Cardi B flaunts her Dominican heritage, speaking Spanish on stage, mentioning Caribbean culture to journalists, and teaching her fans about Afro-Latino identity.
His account is representative of all those immigrant parents who do all the things behind the office, sacrifices that help their children succeed in life. Carlos is the representation of the silent power and hard work that is frequently underestimated but lies at the core of the extraordinary success.
Frequently Asked Questions of Carlos Alman
Who is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman is a Dominican-American father of social media influencer Hennessy Carolina and Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. He is a retired taxi driver with a low profile life.
How old is Carlos Alman?
Born on March 19, 1958, Carlos Alman is currently 67 years old as of 2025.
What did Carlos Alman do for a living?
Carlos worked as a taxi driver in New York City for nearly nine years during the 1990s and early 2000s. He retired around the time Cardi B’s music career began flourishing.
How many children does Carlos Alman have?
Carlos has eight children total, six from his first marriage and two (Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina) with ex-wife Clara Almánzar.
Are Carlos Alman and Clara Almánzar still married?
No, Carlos and Clara married in 1991 but divorced in 2005. Clara has since remarried and reportedly lives in the Dominican Republic.
