Carlos Alman is best known to the world as the father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, but his own story deserves attention beyond that single label. Born in the Dominican Republic and later a longtime New York City taxi driver, Carlos built a quiet, working-class life far from the spotlight his daughter now occupies. Even so, his influence on Cardi B’s values, cultural pride, and work ethic shows up again and again in her music and public statements. This article breaks down everything confirmed about his early life, career, family, and relationship with his famous daughter.
Carlos Alman Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan |
| Known As | Carlos Alman |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1958 |
| Age | 68 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Dominican Republic |
| Nationality | Dominican-American |
| Occupation | Retired New York City taxi driver |
| Residence | Bronx, New York City |
| Mother | Esperanza Almánzar |
| Ex-Wife | Clara Mercedes Almánzar |
| Marriage Years | 1991 to approximately 2005 |
| Famous Daughters | Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina |
| Other Children | Reportedly six, including Maciel Almanzar, Nicauly Villalona, and Fernando Almanzar |
| Public Profile | Private, avoids interviews and social media |
Early Life and Background
Carlos Alman, whose full name is reported as Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan, was born on March 19, 1958, in the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a working-class household, and his mother, Esperanza Almánzar, remains one of the few relatives publicly identified. Details about his father and childhood are not widely documented, since Carlos has kept nearly every aspect of his early life private.
Like many Dominicans of his generation, Carlos eventually left home in search of better economic opportunities in the United States. That decision would go on to shape not just his own future but also the upbringing of one of the most recognizable entertainers of the 21st century.
Immigration to New York City
Carlos moved to the United States around 1990, settling in the Bronx, a borough with one of the largest Dominican populations in the country. He made his home in the Highbridge section of the South Bronx, where he would later raise his two most famous children. The move reflected a common path for Dominican immigrants during that era, trading the Caribbean for the promise of steady work in New York.
Life in a new country came with real challenges, including language barriers and financial pressure. Carlos found stability through steady labor rather than public achievement, a pattern that would define much of his adult life in America.
Career as a New York City Taxi Driver
For years, Carlos worked as a taxi driver navigating the demanding streets of New York City. The job required long shifts, unpredictable traffic, and constant contact with difficult passengers, yet it provided a dependable income for his growing family. He eventually retired from driving, but the profession left a lasting mark on how his daughters view labor and struggle.
Cardi B has referenced her father’s taxi driving career in interviews, crediting it as a source of the discipline and resilience she carries into her own career. She has also spoken publicly in support of New York cab drivers facing unfair working conditions, a cause many believe traces directly back to watching her father’s experience behind the wheel.
Marriage and Family Life
Carlos married Clara Mercedes Almánzar, a Trinidadian woman, in 1991. Together, they had two daughters: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, known globally as Cardi B, born in October 1992, and Hennessy Carolina, born a few years later. The household blended Dominican and Trinidadian traditions, giving both daughters a multicultural upbringing rooted in Caribbean pride.
Carlos and Clara separated around 2005, when Cardi B was approximately 13 years old. Beyond his two well-known daughters, reports indicate Carlos has six additional children from an earlier relationship, including daughters Maciel Almanzar and Nicauly Villalona and a son named Fernando Almanzar. Little public information exists about his other children, as they have largely stayed out of the media.
Relationship With Cardi B
Despite living very different lives, Carlos and Cardi B share a close bond built on mutual respect. Cardi has spoken warmly about her father on several occasions, once calling him her personality twin in a Father’s Day tribute. She has credited him with passing down the boldness and cultural pride that now define her public persona.
Cardi has also gone out of her way to protect her father’s privacy. In 2019, she intervened when a television crew attempted to film him without warning, explaining that he does not have security and should not be exposed to unnecessary risk. That protective instinct has remained consistent throughout her rise to fame.
Privacy and Public Rumors
Carlos Alman has never sought public attention and continues to avoid interviews and social media. His preference for privacy has occasionally made him a target for online misinformation. In January 2026, a false rumor claiming he had been arrested years earlier for a serious crime spread across social media, but the claim had no factual basis.
Cardi B addressed the rumor directly, defending her father and shutting down the false narrative before it could spread further. The episode highlighted both the challenges of being related to a global celebrity and the strong loyalty that exists between father and daughter.
Personal Life Today
Now in his late sixties, Carlos Alman lives a quiet, retired life in the New York area. He avoids the spotlight almost entirely, appearing publicly only on rare occasions connected to family milestones or his daughters’ events. Reports suggest he still advocates for the rights of New York City taxi drivers, a nod to the career that shaped much of his adult life.
Although his own story lacks the fame and headlines that surround his daughter, Carlos Alman’s legacy is woven into Cardi B’s success. His work ethic, cultural roots, and quiet strength continue to influence the woman millions know as one of music’s biggest stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman is a retired Dominican-American taxi driver best known as the father of rapper Cardi B and social media personality Hennessy Carolina.
2. How old is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman was born on March 19, 1958, which makes him 68 years old as of 2026.
3. Where is Carlos Alman from?
He was born in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to New York City around 1990, settling in the Bronx.
4. Does Carlos Alman have other children besides Cardi B?
Yes, reports indicate he has six additional children from an earlier relationship, along with Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina from his marriage to Clara Almánzar.
5. Is Carlos Alman active on social media?
No, Carlos Alman keeps a private life and does not use social media or give public interviews.
