Russell Simmons hopped to Instagram to offer his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, an emotional olive branch on her 50th birthday. For his birthday, the Def Jam Recordings co-founder wrote a message about love, forgiveness, and the promise of healing in a public post that served as less of a birthday wish and more of a prayer.
"Allow me to present a birthday prayer for your 50th birthday," Simmons started. I'm wishing for your peace now, your happiness, and the resolution of all sources of lingering pain and conflict."
It's no secret that Russell and Kimora's post-divorce relationship has been tumultuous since she divorced him in 2009. Once the ultimate power couple, they have daughters and a long, complicated history extending well beyond their marriage. It was a turn of events, considering Kimora previously stood by Russell throughout the first rounds of sexual misconduct allegations in 2017. In 2021, the peace was broken when Russell sued Kimora and her now ex-husband Tim Leissner for breach of contract and other financial misdeeds concerning a failed investment opportunity they'd shared.
But on Kimora's 50th, a personal milestone that can alarm people, Russell's tone softened. "I believe it hurts the hater," he admitted. I stand with Love and Acceptance for this family, the Scouts who are part of it, and all of my Scout brothers and sisters everywhere."
It was a message that sounded like it had been simmering for a while, the kind that speaks, perhaps, of time healing old wounds. While the post did not explicitly mention previous disputes or lawsuits, it was imbued with a plea for family harmony and a desire to move on.
"Let's give ourselves permission to put our children, godchildren, to put our happiness and any worldly goals, any worldly desires, let's put that in the front on any credit." He opened and closed the message with proper admiration, hesitating to playfully call out Kimora's ever-lasting beauty: "Ps 50 look so good! God blessed u with longevity (Asian and Black genes) and the ability to CONTINUE to evolve. GOOD LUCK. Now comes the good part."
The message isn't going to wipe away the years of conflict, but it does open a door or at least knock softly at it. Kimora's next move, whether a public reply or a more private one, is Kimora's. For Russell, it looks like the birthday was more than just a birthday but was a peace offering, a plea for an emotional truce, for trying to reimagine the idea of what family can mean and look like after divorce.
Only time can reveal if a public olive branch like this can produce something more nourishing. But for now, on a milestone birthday, it was a memento that even the most complicated relationships can somehow accommodate growth, forgiveness, and even a little grace.
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