Carlos Alman, born Carlos Almánzar on March 19, 1958, is a Dominican-American retired New York City taxi driver and the father of rapper Cardi B.
Now 68, he moved from the Dominican Republic to the United States in 1990, drove a cab, and raised his daughters Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar in The Bronx and Washington Heights.
He divorced Clara Mercedes Almánzar around 2005 and now lives a quiet life in New York City. He is also a devoted grandfather to Kulture Kiari Cephus and Wave Set Cephus. This biography covers his age, family, work, heritage, height, and estimated net worth.
Carlos Alman Biography & Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Carlos Almánzar |
| Known as | Carlos Alman |
| Date of birth | March 19, 1958 |
| Age in 2026 | 68 years |
| Birthplace | Dominican Republic |
| Nationality | Dominican-American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed / Afro-Dominican |
| Mother | Esperanza Almánzar |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Marital status | Divorced |
| Ex-wife | Clara Mercedes Almánzar |
| Profession | Retired taxi driver |
| Estimated net worth | $200,000 to $500,000 |
| Current residence | New York City, United States |
Early Life and Dominican Republic Roots
Carlos Alman was born on March 19, 1958, in the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean country that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
His mother was Esperanza Almánzar. Public details about his childhood are limited, which fits his private lifestyle.
His background is described as mixed, with Afro-Dominican ethnicity. Afro-Dominican refers to Dominicans with African ancestry, a large part of the country’s population and culture.
His Dominican Republic roots shaped his language, food, values, and music, and he later passed these on to his children.
Immigration to the United States and Settlement in New York
Carlos Alman came to the United States in 1990, when he was around 32 years old. Like many an immigrant father, he left his home country to build a more stable future.
The journey from the Dominican Republic to New York City is a well-worn path, and the city has one of the largest Dominican communities in the world.
His settlement in New York placed him among neighbors who shared his language and traditions. This immigrant life in the United States came with real challenges, such as finding steady work, learning a fast-paced city, and supporting a growing family.
He met those challenges as a working-class immigrant who relied on effort and patience.
Career as a Dedicated Taxi Driver in New York City
Carlos Alman worked as a taxi driver in New York City for about nine years. Driving a cab is demanding work with long hours, heavy traffic, and unpredictable income. It also requires patience, local knowledge, and reliability.
These are the qualities his career is remembered for:
- Consistency: He kept steady work to support his household.
- Discipline: Long shifts built a strong sense of responsibility.
- Independence: Taxi driving let him earn through his own effort.
His work as a Dominican-American taxi driver shows the kind of hardworking father many families in the city depend on. He later became a retired taxi driver, and that quiet career became part of his family’s story.
Marriage, Relationship, and Family Life with Clara Almánzar
Carlos Alman married Clara Mercedes Almánzar in 1991, shortly after arriving in the United States. Clara Almánzar is the mother of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina.
Her family background is Trinidadian, so the household blended Dominican and Trinidadian traditions. This made the Almánzar home a multicultural family with its own mix of food, language, and customs.
The couple separated around 2005, and Carlos Alman is listed as divorced. After the marriage ended, the family bond between the parents and their daughters stayed important.
Carlos Alman is also listed as the father of other children: Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar, and Nicauly Villalona.
Fatherhood and Raising Superstar Daughter Cardi B
Cardi B was born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992. She is a Grammy-winning rapper known worldwide, and Carlos Alman is Cardi B’s father. He raised her during her early years, when family support and sacrifices mattered most.
The relationship between Carlos Alman and Cardi B reflects the family values and dedication that shaped her.
His role in Cardi B’s upbringing was practical and steady rather than glamorous. He worked long hours so the family could stay stable, and that example became part of Cardi B’s own drive.
The Rise of Hennessy Carolina and Family Ties
Hennessy Carolina Almánzar was born on December 22, 1995. She is Cardi B’s younger sister and is known as a fashion influencer. Her success has made Hennessy Carolina’s family part of public conversation too.
Carlos Alman and Clara Almánzar are the parents of both daughters, which makes them the two children from this marriage. The sisters grew up in the same household with the same values, and they remain close.
Raising Children in The Bronx and Washington Heights
The family’s life centered on two New York neighborhoods. The Bronx is a borough in the north of New York City known for its diverse communities and its role in the birth of hip-hop. Washington Heights is a Manhattan neighborhood with one of the city’s largest Dominican populations.
Family life in The Bronx and Washington Heights meant growing up among Dominican shops, restaurants, and music.
Many of Cardi B’s later stories about her youth come from these streets. For Carlos Alman, these neighborhoods offered a community that felt like home and eased the move from the Dominican Republic.
Retirement from Taxi Driving and Life Behind the Scenes
After about nine years behind the wheel, Carlos Alman retired from taxi driving. Today he lives a quiet life in New York City, away from the spotlight. His retirement reflects a calm routine built on family, rest, and privacy.
He is not an active public figure. He does not run a business, promote products, or seek fame, and most details of his daily life stay private.
Carlos Alman as a Devoted Grandfather
Carlos Alman is a grandfather to Kulture Kiari Cephus and Wave Set Cephus, Cardi B’s two children. Kulture was born in 2018 and Wave Set in 2021. Both are the children of Cardi B and rapper Offset.
As a devoted grandfather, he stays close to the family. Cardi B’s children bring a new generation into the Almánzar family, and he is seen as a loving presence in their lives.
Public Appearances and Support for Cardi B
Carlos Alman rarely appears in public, but he has supported his daughter at special moments. One example is Cardi B’s Gold Album release party at the Moxy Hotel in New York City. A gold album is an award given when an album reaches a major sales milestone. The Moxy Hotel is a popular hotel brand with a location in the city.
Public appearances with Cardi B are limited, and that is by choice. Even so, his presence at big family milestones shows how proud he is of her achievements.
Cultural Identity and Dominican Heritage Influences
His Dominican heritage runs through the family’s life. Dominican culture and traditions include strong family bonds, shared meals, religious celebrations, and lively music. Two of the best-known Dominican music styles are bachata and merengue.
- Bachata: A romantic guitar-based style that began in the Dominican Republic.
- Merengue: A fast, upbeat dance music that is the country’s national rhythm.
Cardi B often speaks proudly about her Dominican heritage, and it clearly links back to her father. His culture shaped her identity, her humor, and her way of speaking. The mix of Dominican and Trinidadian traditions from both parents gave her a wide cultural base.
Carlos Alman Net Worth and Financial Stability
| Factor | Details |
| Main past income | Taxi driving for about nine years |
| Current status | Retired |
| Estimated net worth | $200,000 to $500,000 |
| Lifestyle | Quiet and private |
Personal Attributes, Physical Appearance, and Lifestyle
Carlos Alman stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, or 180 cm. He is known as a calm, hardworking, and family-focused man. His lifestyle is simple, with a focus on home, family, and routine.
His age of 68 puts him in the retirement stage of life. He has chosen a private lifestyle over public attention, which sets him apart from many celebrity fathers.
The Influence of Parents on Cardi B’s Work Ethic
Cardi B’s work ethic is often linked to her upbringing. Her parents, Carlos Alman and Clara Almánzar, worked hard in a city with high living costs. She saw steady effort every day, and she carried it into her career.
Here are the main lessons from Cardi B’s parents:
- Hard work builds stability.
- Family comes before fame.
- Heritage is a source of pride.
- Sacrifice leads to opportunity.
These values helped shape Cardi B’s path from the Bronx to global stardom.
Maintaining Privacy in the Media Spotlight
Carlos Alman has stayed out of the media spotlight even as his daughter became famous. He gives few interviews and keeps his personal life private. This life away from the spotlight is a deliberate choice.
His approach shows that having a celebrity father does not require being a celebrity. He supports his family quietly and keeps his own life simple, a pattern seen in his quiet life in New York City.
Impact on Family and Lasting Legacy
His family legacy is built on hard work, cultural pride, and care for his children. He moved to a new country, worked demanding jobs, and raised daughters who became successful in their own fields. His legacy can be seen in Cardi B’s success, in Hennessy Carolina’s career, and in his grandchildren.
Conclusion
Carlos Alman is a Dominican-American retired taxi driver who built a steady life in New York City after moving from the Dominican Republic in 1990. He raised Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar, worked as a cab driver for about nine years, and now enjoys a private life as a devoted grandfather. His story is one of hard work, family values, and quiet pride behind a global star.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman, born Carlos Almánzar, is a Dominican-American retired New York City taxi driver. He is best known as the father of rapper Cardi B and her sister, Hennessy Carolina Almánzar.
How old is Carlos Alman?
He was born on March 19, 1958, which makes him 68 years old in 2026.
What did Carlos Alman do for a living?
He worked as a taxi driver in New York City for about nine years before retiring.
Where is Carlos Alman originally from?
He was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States in 1990.
Who is Carlos Alman’s former wife?
His former wife is Clara Mercedes Almánzar. They married in 1991 and separated around 2005.
How many children does Carlos Alman have?
He is the father of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar, and he is also listed as the father of Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar, and Nicauly Villalona.
