Cardi B is one of the most dominant forces in American hip-hop — a Bronx-born artist who went from stripping to survive to becoming the first female rapper since Lauryn Hill to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist. Her unapologetic personality, sharp business instincts, and massive social media presence have made her one of the most influential and commercially powerful entertainers in the world.
Early Life
Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born on October 11, 1992, in The Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan and raised in the South Bronx, New York City. She is of Dominican and Trinidadian heritage; her father is Dominican and her mother is of Trinidadian descent. She grew up in a working-class household in the Bronx and attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater and Technology. As a teenager she was a member of the Bloods gang and began stripping at age 19 to escape an abusive relationship and to support herself financially — an aspect of her past she has always discussed with directness and without apology, saying it empowered and saved her.
Career
Cardi B first gained widespread public attention through her sharp, witty, and hilarious Instagram and Vine videos, which built her a massive social media following. She was cast on the VH1 reality series Love and Hip Hop: New York in 2015, which gave her a national platform. Her 2017 single Bodak Yellow debuted and climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making her the first female rapper to achieve that feat as a solo lead artist since Lauryn Hill's Doo Wop (That Thing) in 1998. She signed with Atlantic Records and released her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album — making her the first solo female rapper to win that award. She followed with the global smash WAP featuring Megan Thee Stallion (2020), one of the biggest hits of the year. She appeared in the crime drama film Hustlers (2019) alongside Jennifer Lopez, earning critical praise for her comedic and dramatic ability. Her music has accumulated billions of streams and her influence on fashion, beauty, and popular culture extends far beyond music. Her upcoming second album remains highly anticipated as of 2026.
Net Worth
As of 2026, Cardi B's estimated net worth is approximately $100 million. Her wealth comes from music sales, streaming royalties, her Reebok and Fashion Nova fashion collaborations, brand partnerships, her film career, touring, and social media revenue. She has been listed among Forbes's highest-paid female rappers.
Personal Life
Cardi B was previously married to rapper Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus of Migos). The couple began dating in 2016, secretly married in September 2017, and publicly confirmed their marriage in 2018. Together they have two children: daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus (born July 2018) and son Wave Set Cephus (born September 2021). Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset in July 2023, citing an irretrievably broken marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 2024, though the couple continued to be seen together publicly at various points, creating continued speculation about their relationship status. As of 2026, Cardi B remains single.
Quick Facts
- Full Name: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1992
- Birthplace: Manhattan/South Bronx, New York City, USA
- Nationality: American
- Height: 5 ft 3 in
- Net Worth: $100 Million (2026)
- Children: Kulture Kiari Cephus (daughter), Wave Set Cephus (son)
- Best Known For: Bodak Yellow, WAP, Invasion of Privacy, Hustlers (2019)
