Cardi B Opens Up About Her Parents and Grandparents: “My Mom Went thru a Lot”
Cardi B is one of the most successful and influential female rappers of all time. She has broken numerous records, won prestigious awards, and collaborated with some of the biggest names in music. But behind her fame and fortune, there is a story of struggle, resilience, and family. Who are Cardi B’s parents? How did they shape her personality and career? In this article, we will explore the background and history of Cardi B’s family, from her roots in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad to her upbringing in the Bronx, to her relationship with her father and mother. We will also reveal some surprising facts and details about Cardi B’s parents that you may not know.
Who are Cardi B’s Parents?
Cardi B is the daughter of Clara Almánzar and Carlos Almánzar. They came from different Caribbean islands, but they found love in the Bronx, New York, where they married in 1991. They were both hard-working immigrants who wanted to give their two daughters, Belcalis and Hennessy, a better life. They exposed them to their diverse cultures and languages, as Clara was from Trinidad and Carlos was from the Dominican Republic. They also taught them to be proud of their Afro-Latina identity and heritage. However, their marriage crumbled after 14 years and they divorced around 2005. The exact reason for their divorce remains a mystery, but they kept a friendly relationship and shared the responsibility of raising their daughters. Their divorce took a toll on their daughters, especially Cardi B, who turned against her parents and joined a gang. Cardi B later credited her parents for supporting her music career and inspiring her to pursue her dreams. She also thanked them for being good grandparents to her children with rapper Offset.
Cardi B Grandparents: Opens Up About Their Influence on Her Life
Cardi B is a rapper known for her bold and authentic style but she has a soft spot for her family. She often shares her love and respect for them on social media, where she has millions of fans who relate to her. Her grandparents are from the Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, and they played a big role in raising her.
She believes that her grandmother, who passed away in 2011, is watching over her and sending her signs. In 2019, she posted a tribute to her on Instagram, saying that she saw 11:11 on her phone and thanked God for the small messages that let her know he was real.
In 2023, she celebrated her grandfather’s 90th birthday with a video, where she told a very special story about him. She said that he used to own three cows and sell their milk for drinking and making cheese. That was how he fed his 10 kids and helped them come to America. She praised him for being a hardworking man who always provided for his family. She also said that she needed her bones strong for her show, so she drank milk with salt like her grandparents used to make her when she was younger. She said that this made her feel like she was back in the Bronx, where she grew up.
Cardi B’s stories show her gratitude and admiration for her grandparents, who taught her the values of perseverance and resilience.
Relationship With Her Mother
Cardi B and her mother Clara have a complicated but loving relationship. Clara, who worked as a cashier in a grocery store, raised Cardi B and her sister Hennessy as a single mother in the South Bronx, a tough neighborhood where violence and poverty were rampant. She was strict with her daughters and pushed them to excel in school and pursue their goals.
However, when Cardi B was 13 years old, her parents’ marriage fell apart and Clara had to work two jobs to support her family. This left Cardi B alone most of the time, and she became a rebellious teenager. She often skipped school to attend parties, leading to her bad grades. She also joined a gang named Bloods after she started hanging out with gang members.
Clara was not happy with her daughter’s choices and tried to discipline her. She even kicked her out of the house just before she turned 18. Cardi B then decided to work as a stripper to escape poverty and an abusive relationship. Clara feared for her safety and reputation, and she did not approve of her dancing career. Cardi B recalled in a video for Cosmopolitan.com:
“When my mom found out I was a dancer, she was pretty upset. Me knowing that she used to hate it, it didn’t allow me to get comfortable with what I was doing.”
But despite their conflicts and disagreements, Clara never stopped loving her daughter. She always supported her, gave her advice, and encouraged her to follow her dreams. She also accepted her other daughter, Hennessy, who came out as bisexual to her mother. Clara was initially shocked and confused, but she eventually opened her heart and embraced her daughter’s sexuality.
Cardi B also loves her mother and respects her for raising her and her sister as a single mother. She often shows her gratitude and affection for her mother on social media, such as in her Instagram post on July 18, 2018, where she wrote:
“I love my parents and my sister It makes me emotional to know how much they love me! Nothing in this world to repay all the love and help and support they give me.”
One of the most touching examples of Cardi B’s appreciation for her mother was on December 14, 2020, when she posted a heartfelt tweet to celebrate her mother’s birthday.
“Anyways tho…Happy Birthday to the best mother in the world. Im a good person but I think I’m blessed because my mom is a angel. My mom went thru a lot.I think God made me & Henny successful as a reward to her for having the best heart.She Also the greatest grandma in the world !”
Cardi B wrote on her Twitter:
This tweet shows how much Cardi B admires her mother’s strength, kindness, and faith. She also acknowledges how her mother’s sacrifices and struggles paved the way for her and her sister’s success. She also praises her mother’s role as a grandmother to her children, Kulture and Cephus.
Cardi B also spoils her mother with gifts and surprises. In November 2018, she bought a house for her mother. She also takes her mother on vacations and invites her to events and shows.
Clara is not only a mother to Cardi B, but also a grandmother to her daughter’s children, Kulture and Cephus. She is one of the rapper’s trusted caregivers, but Cardi B is quick to add that it is selfish to drop her kids off 24/7 with their grandparents.
“Your parents have already lived their life and raised their kids. They are older and don’t have the same energy as someone in their 20s. I’m never far from my kids because that’s my responsibility as a mother,” Cardi B said in an interview with Vogue.
Relationship With Her Father
Cardi B has always been proud of her father, Carlos Almánzar, who immigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic in 1990. He worked hard as a cab driver for nine years and helped many artists from his homeland achieve their dreams in America. One of his best friends is FEFA, the biggest artist in DR.
But some people have tried to tarnish his reputation with false accusations. A fan of Nicki Minaj, Cardi’s longtime rival, posted fake screenshots of an arrest record on Twitter in September 2023, claiming that Carlos had raped a 14-year-old girl in 1988 and was a pedophile. Cardi B responded by denying the allegations and warning the fan to stop spreading lies about her family.
This was not the first time Cardi B had to defend her father from such slander. Back in 2020, she responded with a series of tweets by writing:
“My father name is Carlos Julio Almanzar. A immigrant that came to America in 1990 from the Dominican Republic. If my dad would have committed any crime he would have been deported and wouldn’t be able to get a job as a cab driver for nine years !”
She also reminded her followers of her father’s contributions to the music industry.
“And by the way my father used to help artist come to America from Dominic Republic. One of his best friend is The biggest artist in DR. FEFA. Ya can ask about my father never! Had that shit in his record! Ya tried it though!”
Cardi B has shown that she will not let anyone disrespect her family and that she has a strong bond with her father. She often shares her love and appreciation for him on social media, such as when she posted a tweet on Feb 20, 2021, saying:
“Going to a Asian market to get some tamarind for me and my dad .What other treats should I get ? I love different treats …and soups ? I don’t really like soup but my dad do sooo recommendations? And I like picture replies a lot …if ya can !”
She received many replies from her fans, who suggested various Asian treats and soups for her and her dad to try.
Cardi B Mother: Clara Almánzar Wiki/Bio Facts
| Personal Information | |
| Full name | Clara Mercedes Almánzar |
| Date of birth | 1965 |
| Place of birth | Trinidad |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Trinidadian |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Latino (with African and Spanish roots) |
| Height (approx) | 5 feet 6 inches |
| Weight (about) | 60 kg |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Hair color | Black |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Family Information | |
| Ex-husband | Carlos Almánzar (1991-2005) |
| Daughters | Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (Cardi B) and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar |
| Grandchildren | Kulture Kiari Cephus and Ocean Cephus |
| Siblings | 12 (9 sisters and 3 brothers) |
| Career Information | |
| Profession | Former Cashier |
| Education | Unknown |
| Net worth | Unknown |
| Instagram account | None |
Early Life & Career of Clara Almánzar
Clara Mercedes Almánzar was born on September 19, 1965, in Trinidad, an island nation in the Caribbean. She has a mixed background of African and Spanish heritage, which is reflected in her appearance and culture. She grew up in a large family, having 12 siblings. When Clara was a young girl, she had a dream of moving to America and pursuing a better life. She was fascinated by the American culture and lifestyle and wanted to experience it for herself. She immigrated to the United States hoping to find more opportunities and happiness.
Challenges and Controversies of Clara Almanzar
She has faced many challenges and controversies in her life, such as:
- She immigrated to the United States from Trinidad and had to adapt to a new culture and environment and face the hardships and dangers of living in the Bronx, a notorious area for crime and drugs
- She faced criticism and backlash from some of Cardi B’s fans, who accused her of being a fame seeker. She also had to deal with the negative stereotypes and prejudices associated with being the mother of a rapper.
- She had to cope with the pressure and expectations of being a celebrity mom and the scrutiny and attention that came with it. She also had to balance her personal and professional life, and manage her own career and wealth.
Net Worth of Clara Almánzar
Clara Almánzar used to work as a cashier in a grocery store in The Bronx, but her current occupation and income are unknown. Her daughter bought her a house in 2018, but the location and price of the house are also undisclosed. Therefore, it is impossible to calculate Clara Almánzar’s net worth based on the available data.
However, her daughter Cardi B has an estimated net worth of $80 million as of 2024. She is one of the most successful and influential artists in the music industry, with multiple awards and chart-topping hits. She also has several endorsement deals and business ventures, such as a clothing line with Fashion Nova and a partnership with Reebok.
Social Media Presence of Clara Almánzar
Clara Almánzar is not active on social media platforms, unlike her daughter Cardi B, who has over 160 million followers on Instagram. Clara does not have an account on any social media sites, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. She prefers to keep her personal life private and away from the public eye.
However, Clara Almánzar sometimes appears on her daughter’s social media posts, where she shows her love and support for Cardi B and her grandchildren. She also attends some of the events and award shows that Cardi B is invited to, such as the Met Gala and the Grammy Awards.
