You know that feeling when you watch someone achieve massive success and wonder about the person who shaped them? Carlos Alman might not be a household name, but this Dominican immigrant has quietly influenced one of hip-hop’s biggest stars.
Most people see Cardi B’s confidence and business savvy and think it came from nowhere. But behind every powerhouse is usually a parent who planted those seeds early.
Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan represents thousands of immigrant fathers who work thankless jobs while building their children’s futures. His story isn’t just about celebrity parenthood – it’s about sacrifice, cultural pride, and the quiet strength that shapes generations.
Carlos Alman Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Information |
| Full Name | Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan |
| Born | March 19, 1958 |
| Age (2025) | 67 years old |
| Birthplace | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Immigration Year | 1990 |
| Profession | Former NYC taxi driver |
| Children | 8 total (including Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina) |
| Current Status | Grandfather, advocate for taxi drivers |
Carlos Alman Early Life and Cultural Background
Picture this: a young man growing up in Santiago, Dominican Republic during the 1960s and 70s. Carlos Alman spent his childhood surrounded by the sounds of merengue and bachata, eating his grandmother Esperanza Almanzar’s cooking, and learning what it meant to be proud of your roots.
Born on March 19, 1958, Carlos lived through a Dominican Republic that was rebuilding itself. His mother Esperanza raised him with the kind of tough love that Caribbean mothers are famous for – the kind that builds character you can’t fake.
Santiago isn’t just any Dominican city – it’s the cultural heartbeat where music flows through the streets like water. This rich Caribbean heritage would later flow through Cardi B’s music, creating that unique Afro-Latino identity that sets her apart.
Immigration Journey to America
Can you imagine leaving everything you know at 32? In 1990, Carlos Alman made that leap, joining the massive wave of Dominican migration to New York. The Bronx became his new home, but it wasn’t exactly the American dream he’d pictured.
Economic struggles back home pushed thousands of Dominican families toward America’s promises, but the reality was often harsh. Carlos found himself in a borough where Spanish mixed with English on every corner, where immigrant communities built their own little versions of home.
This wasn’t just one man’s journey – it was part of a larger Latin American diaspora that changed NYC forever. The boy from Santiago had to learn American systems that didn’t always welcome newcomers with open arms.
Carlos Alman Professional Career
Taxi Driver (1990-2009)
Want to know what real hustle looks like? Try driving a NYC taxi for nearly two decades. Carlos Alman spent almost nine years behind the wheel, navigating New York’s chaotic streets while supporting his growing family.
Being an immigrant taxi driver meant more than just driving from point A to point B. Carlos dealt with debt cycles that kept drivers trapped – buying cars, paying city fees, and never quite getting ahead. Cardi B once tweeted about her dad’s struggles: “You buy a car, you have to pay the city and still pay off your car. You stay in debt forever!”
ATTENTION!My dad till this day still campaigns for cab drivers because this is some of the bullshit they deal https://t.co/VmffrhK1Oi buy a car you have to pay the city and still pay off your car .You stay in debt forever!Also nasty fuckin customers.Please be nice to cab drivers https://t.co/ADRVK4qQrQ
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) June 9, 2019
This working-class Latino father showed his kids that dignity comes from doing whatever it takes to provide. The man who once danced to bachata in Santiago now worked 12-hour shifts to build his daughters’ futures.
Advocacy Work
Here’s something most people don’t know: Carlos didn’t just drive taxis and forget about it. Even after retiring, he kept fighting for cab drivers’ rights because he understood that individual struggles connect to bigger systemic problems.
Taxi drivers advocacy might not sound glamorous, but Carlos saw how the system trapped hardworking immigrants. He witnessed colleagues working brutal shifts just to break even, dealing with dangerous situations for minimal pay.
His continued campaign for taxi drivers shows the kind of character that shaped Cardi B’s social consciousness. You can’t fake caring about working people – it’s either in your DNA or it isn’t. (Yahoo)
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Carlos Alman Family Structure and Relationships
First Marriage and Children
Before Clara Mercedes Almánzar entered the picture, Carlos had already started building his family. His first marriage produced six children, including daughters Maciel Almanzar and Nicauly Villalona, plus sons like Fernando Almanzar.
These blended Latino family dynamics shaped how Carlos approached fatherhood later. He understood that being a dad meant more than just providing financially – it meant staying connected across multiple households and complex relationships.
The details of his first family remain mostly private, which tells you everything about Carlos’s character. Some people chase spotlight, others focus on actually being present for their kids.
Marriage to Clara Almánzar (1991-2005)
In 1991, Carlos married Clara Mercedes Almánzar, a Trinidadian woman with Spanish descent who worked as a grocery store cashier. Their union created the family that would produce two remarkable daughters: Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar (better known as Cardi B) and Hennessy Carolina.
Clara brought her own Caribbean traditions to the mix, creating a household where Dominican and Trinidadian cultures blended. This multicultural foundation gave their daughters a rich understanding of Afro-Caribbean identity that you can hear in Cardi’s music today.
According to Cardi B’s 2022 revelation on social media, her parents divorced when she was 13 years old, around 2005. Despite the divorce, Carlos managed to stay actively involved in his daughters’ lives.
My take on the topic….also can we have regular life conversations wit each other without people makin scenarios? It’s good to talk to each other but don’t be weird pic.twitter.com/hRfxMBgn8g
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) August 26, 2022
Carlos Alman Relationship with Cardi B
Ever wonder where Cardi B gets her fierce loyalty and business instincts? Look no further than her relationship with Carlos Alman. These two share what Cardi calls a “personality twin” connection that goes way beyond typical father-daughter bonds.
Happy Fathwrs day to my dad .We are personality twins.We loud ,love to make jokes and we don’t take shit from NOBODY ! I love my dad ❤️He be pissing me off sometimes 😡but i can’t live without him .
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) June 17, 2018
Carlos didn’t just provide for Cardi – he shaped her cultural identity. He introduced her to traditional Dominican cuisine like mondongo stew and taught her quirky food habits like sprinkling salt on tomatoes. These small traditions built the foundation of her Dominican-American identity.
Cardi B has shared: “I can eat tomatoes like an apple but on every bite I have to sprinkle salt. My dad put me on to that as a child.”
I can eat tomatoes like an apple but on every bite i have to sprinkle salt .My dad put me on to that as a child .Bardi love Tomatoes❤️ https://t.co/b3hcaAPz0a
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) June 21, 2018
The protective father-daughter relationship shows itself whenever media tries to invade Carlos’s privacy. Cardi B once shut down reporters trying to interview her dad: “Don’t put my father on TV because my dad doesn’t walk around with security.”
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Privacy and Public Life
Here’s what makes Carlos Alman different from other celebrity parents: he genuinely doesn’t want fame. While some parents milk their children’s success, Carlos actively avoids media attention. No social media presence, no interviews, no attempts to cash in on Cardi’s success.
This low-profile immigrant parent understands something many people miss – dignity matters more than recognition. Carlos built his legacy through quiet immigrant influence, not public performances.
When reporters show up at his door, Cardi B steps in like a protective shield. She knows her father chose privacy over fame, and she respects that choice enough to defend it fiercely.
Current Life (2025)
At 67 years old, Carlos Alman has settled into the role he always wanted: being a grandfather. Wave Cephus, Blossom Cephus, and Kulture represent the next generation of his legacy.
Cardi B frequently posts about how grateful she feels for her father’s help with the kids. In 2018, after Kulture’s birth, she said: “My dad, you know, he’s just running errands for me in New York,” she added. “To have that extra hand I’m just really grateful … I’m just sitting here like God, thank you so much for these great amazing parents.”
This immigrant grandfather role allows Carlos to pass Dominican traditions to another generation without dealing with media pressure. He gets to be Papa, not “Cardi B’s father.”
Cultural Legacy and Impact
Think about this: every time Cardi B references her Dominican heritage in interviews or music, she’s channeling lessons Carlos taught her. He didn’t just immigrate to America – he brought Caribbean history and Dominican culture with him.
Carlos taught Cardi about European colonization’s impact on Caribbean people. He helped her understand her Afro-Latino identity in ways that shaped her confidence and worldview. This cultural preservation work happens quietly, in kitchens and family conversations.
The heritage transmission from Carlos to Cardi represents thousands of similar stories across Latino families in NYC. Parents preserving traditions while helping kids navigate American success – it’s beautiful and complicated.
Defending Family Honor
Remember September 2023 when internet trolls started spreading lies about Carlos Alman? Cardi B immediately jumped to his defense: “First it was the video lying on Offset, now it’s lies on my dad… Keep it cute on family.”
First it was the video lying on Offset, now it’s lies on my dad.. I’m pretty sure ya know offenders have to take a pic every year. Keep it cute on family…Especially offenders, pedos and molesters cuz everybody gonna wanna cry when I start talking about the real pussy snatchers. https://t.co/mrZIy28ek5
— Cardi B (@iamcardib) September 17, 2023
This moment showed the world how strong parental influence creates fierce family loyalty. Carlos raised daughters who understand that family honor matters more than public opinion.
False social media accusations happen to celebrity families all the time, but the Alman family handles it with dignity. Carlos stays quiet while Cardi protects him – it’s a beautiful partnership.
From Santiago to Success
The journey from Santiago, Dominican Republic to the Bronx, New York represents more than just geographical movement. Carlos Alman carried the soul of Santiago’s musical culture to a borough that would birth hip-hop legends.
Santiago gave Carlos his foundation – the sounds of merengue and bachata, the taste of authentic Dominican food, and the pride that comes from Caribbean resilience. The Bronx gave him opportunities and challenges that shaped his parenting style.
This Dominican roots in NYC connection flows through Cardi B’s music today. She raps with Bronx attitude but seasons it with Caribbean flavor – a perfect blend of her father’s two worlds.
Interesting Facts:
- Carlos taught Cardi B to eat tomatoes with salt – a Dominican tradition
- He continues advocating for taxi drivers’ rights even after retirement
- Carlos actively avoids social media and public appearances
- He helped Cardi understand Caribbean history and European colonization’s impact
Conclusion
Carlos Alman proves that the most powerful influences often work behind the scenes. This Dominican immigrant never sought fame, but his impact on Cardi B’s character, work ethic, and cultural pride shaped one of music’s biggest stars.
His story represents thousands of immigrant fathers who sacrifice daily comfort for their children’s futures. Carlos drove taxis, fought for workers’ rights, preserved Dominican traditions, and raised daughters who understand both struggle and success.
The next time you hear Cardi B talk about family loyalty or Afro-Latino pride, remember the quiet man who planted those seeds. Carlos Alman built his legacy one conversation, one tradition, and one act of love at a time.
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FAQ’s About Carlos Alman
Who is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alberto Almánzar Marsan is Cardi B’s father, a Dominican immigrant who worked as a NYC taxi driver for nearly two decades.
When did Carlos Alman immigrate to America?
Carlos moved to the Bronx in 1990 at age 32, joining the wave of Dominican migration to New York City.
How many children does Carlos Alman have?
Carlos has eight children total – six from his first marriage and two daughters (Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina) with Clara Almánzar.
What is Carlos Alman’s relationship with Cardi B like?
They share a close bond that Cardi describes as being “personality twins” – he shaped her cultural identity and work ethic.
Does Carlos Alman use social media?
No, Carlos maintains no social media presence and actively avoids media attention, preferring privacy over fame.
What cultural influence did Carlos have on Cardi B?
Carlos taught Cardi about Dominican traditions, Caribbean history, and helped her understand her Afro-Latino identity.
Disclaimer: This article provides a more complete picture of Carlos Alman while respecting the boundaries he has set regarding his privacy. The details come from verified sources and avoid speculation or unsubstantiated claims.
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