Who Is Carlos Alman? A Closer Look at the Life of Cardi B’s Father

Carlos Alman, sometimes referred to by his full name Carlos Almánzar, was born on March 19, 1958, in the Dominican Republic. While not a celebrity in the traditional sense, his name has appeared in public discussions primarily due to his relationship with his globally famous daughter, Cardi B. Yet long before the fame and flashing cameras surrounding his children, Carlos lived a humble life shaped by cultural heritage and quiet determination.

Little is known publicly about his childhood, and his early years remain mostly undocumented. His mother’s name is Esperanza Almánzar, but no verified information about his father or siblings exists in the public domain. What’s clear is that Carlos grew up in a time and place where family, tradition, and community values played an integral role in shaping personal identity. This strong cultural foundation would go on to influence how he approached his adult life, especially his role as a father.

Moving to New York and chasing a better life

In the early 1990s, Carlos made the significant decision to leave the Dominican Republic and move to the United States. Like many immigrants of that era, his motivations were likely rooted in the desire to provide more stable opportunities for his family. He settled in the Bronx, New York, an area that has long served as a home for Dominican and Caribbean communities.

Adjusting to life in New York was not easy. Language barriers, economic hardships, and cultural adaptation were common challenges for immigrants, and Carlos was no exception. To support himself and his family, he began working as a taxi driver. While not glamorous, the job required long hours, patience, and hard work. It was a job that demanded resilience—an attribute Carlos would pass on to his children.

His life during this time was not one of fame or luxury. It was defined by hard work, quiet sacrifice, and a dedication to building something better for the next generation. That silent consistency often goes unnoticed in public narratives, but for families like Carlos’s, it is the foundation everything else is built on.

The roots of a family built on pride and perseverance

Carlos married Clara Mercedes Almánzar, a woman of Trinidadian heritage, and together they began a life in the Bronx. The union resulted in two daughters who would eventually become public figures: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known globally as Cardi B, and Hennessy Carolina. Though the couple would divorce in the mid-2000s, the family foundation laid during their marriage remained impactful.

Carlos is reported to have other children from previous relationships, though information about them is limited. Some sources list names such as Nicauly Villalona, Maciel Almánzar, and Fernando Almánzar, but details remain unconfirmed. While the exact number of children Carlos has is unclear, the common theme in every account is that he values family, even if he prefers to keep those relationships away from the media.

Unlike many parents of celebrities, Carlos has maintained an incredibly low profile. He does not seek out interviews or attempt to gain attention from his daughter’s fame. He remains a private individual, choosing to live a quiet life away from the spotlight. Yet in the few moments Cardi B has spoken about her parents, her words hint at respect, appreciation, and acknowledgement of the humble life she grew up in.

Influence on Cardi B and values passed down

Cardi B has often referenced her upbringing in her music and interviews, painting a picture of a household where both parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet. She has mentioned that her father was a cab driver and her mother worked as a cashier or in the hospitality industry. While their marriage did not last, their shared values—particularly around hard work and cultural pride—were deeply rooted in the way they raised their children.

Carlos instilled in Cardi a connection to her Dominican roots. In many of her public statements, she speaks with pride about being Afro-Latina, about embracing both her Dominican and Trinidadian backgrounds. These elements of her identity, often celebrated through her music and public image, are directly tied to her father’s heritage and upbringing.

More than just cultural identity, Carlos passed down a deep sense of work ethic. Cardi B has never shied away from discussing the long road she took to success—from working as a cashier to dancing in clubs before music opened doors for her. That hustle, she says, comes from her parents, who never had much, but gave everything.

A man of quiet strength and dignity

Carlos Alman is not famous, and he never tried to be. In an age when social media offers instant access to celebrity families, it’s rare to find someone like Carlos who maintains a deliberate distance from the limelight. He is not active on social platforms, and there are very few public photos of him available online.

That choice to stay private is not just about avoiding attention—it’s about living life on his own terms. Whether retired or living a quieter working-class life, Carlos continues to reside in New York, likely still close to the neighborhoods where he raised his children. He’s seen on occasion at family gatherings or birthday celebrations, but never at the forefront.

His quiet strength comes from the roles he chose to play in the background. Not every contribution needs to be loud to be meaningful. Some of the most important work in life—raising children, providing stability, teaching values—often happens in silence.

The connection to culture and identity

As a Dominican man raising children in the Bronx, Carlos held tight to his cultural identity, and he passed it down with pride. Dominican heritage is known for its deep appreciation for music, food, language, and community, and many of these values are visible in how Cardi B carries herself.

In interviews, Cardi has talked about speaking Spanish at home, celebrating Caribbean holidays, and being deeply connected to both of her parents’ homelands. This blend of Dominican and Trinidadian cultures formed a vibrant and powerful identity for her—one that Carlos helped build from the moment she was born.

Cultural identity in immigrant families is not just something passed down; it’s something preserved, fought for, and protected. Carlos made sure his daughters knew where they came from, even while growing up in an American system that often encourages assimilation. That pride is now reflected in Cardi’s global platform, where she champions Latin culture unapologetically.

A father’s legacy outside of fame

The story of Carlos Alman is, in many ways, the story of countless fathers across the immigrant experience. Men who leave their homelands not in pursuit of fame or fortune, but for the hope of a better life for their children. The work they do isn’t glamorous, but it is real. And it’s in that realness that their legacies live on.

Carlos may never appear on television. He may never speak to a journalist or walk a red carpet. But his influence is visible in the achievements of his children, especially Cardi B, who credits her upbringing for shaping the woman she has become. From his job as a cab driver to his choice to remain in the background, everything he’s done seems to reflect humility, quiet pride, and unshakable dedication.

His legacy isn’t in wealth, celebrity, or headlines—it’s in values passed down, opportunities created, and the strong cultural roots he never let go of.

Also Read: A Closer Look at Eric Eisner’s Net Worth and Career Journey

Closing thoughts on a life lived with purpose

Carlos Alman is not just “Cardi B’s father.” He is a man who built a life from hard work, who sacrificed without complaint, and who gave his children the tools to succeed even if he never experienced that success himself. His journey from the Dominican Republic to the streets of New York tells a powerful story of perseverance and quiet dignity.

For every celebrity story that dominates the headlines, there is a quieter story like Carlos’s—the one of the parent who made it possible. His life reminds us that success is not always about visibility. Sometimes it’s about the lasting influence you leave behind in the lives you’ve shaped.

Q&As

Who is Carlos Alman?

Carlos Alman is the father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. He was born in the Dominican Republic and later moved to New York, where he worked as a taxi driver and raised his family away from the spotlight.

How many children does Carlos Alman have?

Carlos Alman is known to have two daughters with Clara Almánzar—Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. Some reports suggest he may have six other children from previous relationships, though not all details are confirmed publicly.

Where is Carlos Alman now?

He is believed to still live in New York City, likely in or near the Bronx. Carlos keeps a very low profile and is not active in public media or social platforms.

Was Carlos Alman married to Cardi B’s mother?

Yes, he was married to Clara Mercedes Almánzar. They divorced around 2005 but co-parented their daughters and remained present in their lives.

What kind of relationship does Carlos Alman have with Cardi B?

Though not very public, Cardi B has spoken respectfully about her father. She credits her work ethic and cultural pride in part to the values he taught her growing up.