Life has a funny way of making big changes all at once. For fashion icon and reality TV star Kimora Lee Simmons, the year 2026 has brought a major personal shift, the end of her 12-year marriage to financier Tim Leissner. The twist is that Leissner filed the divorce papers from behind bars, where he is currently serving time in a federal prison in Pennsylvania.
Here is everything you need to know about this headline-making split.
Who Is Tim Leissner?
Tim Leissner, 56, is a former banker who once worked as a top managing director at one of the world’s most powerful banks, Goldman Sachs. For years, he was seen as a very successful man in the world of high finance. But his career came crashing down when it was discovered that he had been part of a massive money-stealing scheme involving the government of Malaysia.
In 2018, Leissner admitted in court that he played a role in what is known as the 1MDB scandal. The 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was a government-run fund created to help Malaysia grow its economy. Instead, U.S. authorities say around $4.5 billion was stolen from that fund.
Leissner pleaded guilty to money laundering and breaking anti-bribery laws. As part of his deal with the government, he gave up $43 million in cash and shares of stock worth more than $200 million.
He was finally sentenced in May 2025 to two years in prison. At his sentencing, he stood before the court and apologized.
“First and foremost, I offer my sincere apology to the people of Malaysia,” he said. “I deeply regret my actions.”
He surrendered to a federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania in February 2026, and prison records show he is expected to be released on September 29, 2027.
The Divorce Filing That Surprised Everyone
Just two days before walking through the doors of a federal prison, Leissner quietly signed divorce papers on February 4, 2026. Those papers were officially filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on April 20, 2026, making headlines around the world.
The reason listed in the filing is “Irreconcilable differences,” a common legal phrase that basically means the two people can no longer get along well enough to stay married. After 12 years of marriage, their union is headed for a legal end.
One unusual detail in the filing is that Leissner listed the couple’s date of separation as “TBD,” meaning “to be determined.” Reports suggest, however, that the two may have actually been living apart since as far back as 2022. That is a long time to be quietly separated before making it official.
What Is Leissner Asking For?
The details of what Leissner is requesting have raised more than a few eyebrows. Here is a breakdown of what he put in his filing:
First is the custody of their son. Leissner and Kimora share an 11-year-old son named Wolfe, who was born on April 10, 2015. Leissner is asking for joint legal and physical custody, meaning both parents would share in raising Wolfe and making decisions for him.
Second is spousal support from Kimora. In a move that many found surprising, Leissner, a man who once worked at one of the biggest banks in the world, is asking Kimora to pay him spousal support, which is money paid by one ex-spouse to help the other after a divorce.
Third is attorney fees paid by Kimora. He is also asking that Kimora cover the cost of his lawyers.
Fourth is no Alimony for Kimora. At the same time, Leissner is asking the court to prevent Kimora from receiving any financial support from him. In other words, he wants money from her, but does not want to give any money to her.
Then lastly, keeping his pre-marriage assets. When it comes to property and money, Leissner wants to hold on to everything he owned before the marriage. He also wants to keep anything given to him as a gift or passed down to him, as well as personal belongings like jewelry.
How Has Kimora Responded?
So far, Kimora Lee Simmons has not directly spoken about the divorce filing. However, the signs that things were not working were already there. In December 2025, Kimora told People magazine that she was fully single and had no plans to date. “My life doesn’t ever revolve around a guy, ever,” she said. She also admitted she had no idea how modern dating apps worked and was not eager to find out.
In a separate interview with E! News around the same time, she gave a knowing hint about all the changes in her life. “I’ve changed jobs, careers a few times, husbands, investments,” she said with characteristic confidence.
Kimora has also been making moves to distance herself from the Leissner name. She recently announced she is dropping the last name “Simmons” as well, going back to simply being known as Kimora Lee.
Kimora: A Mother First, Always
Through all of this, Kimora has remained focused on her children. She is mom to five kids: daughters Ming Lee, 25, and Aoki Lee, 23, whom she shares with first husband Russell Simmons; son Kenzo, 16, with actor Djimon Hounsou; young Wolfe, 11, with Leissner; and Gary, 16, whom she adopted from Jamaica in 2020. She also acts as a mother figure to her “bonus son” Jayden, 19.
By her own account, Kimora is doing most of the parenting on her own. “Usually I would say that I co-parent okay, but the kids are with me full time,” she told People. “I’m pretty much the primary parent.”
Final Thought
Despite everything life has thrown at her, Kimora remains strong and clear-eyed. “It’s been very important to me to be strong and self-reliant, and to constantly be growing,” she said.
As this chapter of her life closes, it seems she has no intention of slowing down. But everyone’s eyes are open to see how both partners will handle the divorce.
