Carlos Alman, born Carlos Almánzar, is a Dominican-American retired taxi driver from New York City and the father of Cardi B, the Grammy-winning artist. Born on March 19, 1958, in the Dominican Republic, he moved to the United States as an immigrant, drove a cab through long shifts, and raised a family on working-class effort.
He is also the father of Hennessy Carolina Almánzar and a devoted grandfather to Kulture and Wave. He keeps a private lifestyle, appears only at select family events, and has an estimated net worth of $200,000 to $500,000 in 2026. His story shows how family values and hard work shaped a superstar’s roots.
Carlos Alman Biography & Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Carlos Almánzar |
| Known As | Carlos Alman |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1958 |
| Age | 68 years old |
| Place of Birth | Dominican Republic |
| Nationality | Dominican-American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed / Afro-Dominican |
| Mother’s Name | Esperanza Almánzar |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Former Wife | Clara Mercedes Almánzar (1991–2005) |
| Famous Children | Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar |
| Other Children | Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar, Nicauly Villalona |
| Grandchildren | Kulture Kiari Cephus, Wave Set Cephus |
| Profession | Retired taxi driver |
| Residence | New York City, United States |
| Estimated Net Worth | $200,000 – $500,000 |
Early Life and Dominican Republic Roots
Carlos Almánzar was born on March 19, 1958, in the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. His mother was Esperanza Almánzar. He is described as Mixed / Afro-Dominican, a heritage common across the island that blends African, Indigenous and European ancestry.
Few details about his childhood are public, and he has never given a long interview about it. What is clear is that his Dominican background shaped his identity. Growing up with Dominican customs gave him the language, food and music that later became part of his family’s daily life in New York.
Immigration to the United States and Settlement in New York
Like many immigrants of his generation, Carlos left the Dominican Republic in search of steadier work and better opportunities. Profiles place his move to New York City around 1990, shortly before his marriage. New York has long been a major hub for Dominican families, and neighborhoods such as Washington Heights have some of the largest Dominican communities outside the island.
Immigrant challenges in those years were practical ones: learning a new city, finding reliable work, and sending support home. Settling in New York gave him a community that shared his language and traditions, and that community helped him build a base for a family.
Career as a Dedicated Taxi Driver in New York City
- Long shifts that often run late into the night
- Income that rises and falls with traffic, weather and demand
- Constant movement through every borough of the city
- Little paid leave, with earnings tied directly to hours worked
Driving a cab is a form of transportation work that keeps a city moving, and it rewards patience and reliability. His career fits the pattern of working-class financial limits: steady effort, modest income, and a strong sense of family responsibility. It also put him in front of New Yorkers from every background, which many people say sharpens street-level awareness and people skills.
Marriage, Relationship, and Family Life with Clara Almánzar
Carlos married Clara Mercedes Almánzar, often called Clara Almánzar, in 1991. Clara is Trinidadian, with roots in Trinidad and Tobago, and she worked as a grocery store cashier. Their marriage joined two Caribbean backgrounds under one roof, and that mix shaped the household’s food, music and expressions.
Profiles list the marriage as lasting from 1991 to 2005, and he is now divorced, with Clara as his former wife. Some accounts describe the closest period of shared family life as lasting around nine years, and exact timelines differ by source. The couple raised two daughters, and their family life became widely discussed only after their elder daughter became famous.
Fatherhood and Raising Superstar Daughter Cardi B
Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar on October 11, 1992, is the best-known of his children. She grew into a Grammy-winning artist, a television star, a media personality and a fashion figure. As Cardi B’s father, Carlos is part of the story she often tells about her upbringing, which centers on a close Bronx family, a hard-working household and a blunt, funny personality.
His fatherhood was practical rather than glamorous. Taxi shifts, bills and school schedules defined the early years. Those routines gave his children an everyday example of work ethic, which later showed up in Cardi B’s drive and independence.
The Rise of Hennessy Carolina and Family Ties
Hennessy Carolina Almánzar, born December 22, 1995, is Cardi B’s younger sister and Carlos’s second well-known daughter. As the father of Hennessy Carolina, he helped raise a girl who grew up close to her sister and who now has her own public profile, shaped by the Cardi B family name.
Their bond is a clear example of family ties holding steady under public attention. The sisters have often appeared together, and their closeness reflects how they were raised: with loyalty, shared meals and a strong sense of belonging.
Raising Children in The Bronx and Washington Heights
The family lived in New York City and is closely linked with The Bronx and Washington Heights. Both areas have deep immigrant roots and busy street life. Raising children there meant crowded buildings, mixed cultures and a constant mix of Spanish and English.
Reports describe a large extended family around the children, including relatives who helped with childcare. Carlos is also reported to have six other children, including Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar and Nicauly Villalona, which adds to his wider family circle. The summary below shows how his known family fits together.
| Relationship | Name |
| Former wife | Clara Mercedes Almánzar |
| Daughters | Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar |
| Other children | Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar, Nicauly Villalona |
| Grandchildren | Kulture Kiari Cephus, Wave Set Cephus |
Retirement from Taxi Driving and Life Behind the Scenes
Carlos is now a retired taxi driver. His retirement from taxi driving marked a move from long shifts to a calmer routine. He still lives in New York City, in what is often called a quiet lifestyle with little public recognition.
Life behind the scenes suits him. Unlike many relatives of celebrities, he has not built a media brand around his daughter’s career. He is simply a Dominican-American retired taxi driver who enjoys time with family.
Carlos Alman as a Devoted Grandfather
Carlos is a devoted grandfather to Kulture Kiari Cephus and Wave Set Cephus, the children of Cardi B. In family settings, grandparents often provide practical everyday help, and the same pattern appears in many Dominican households:
- Sharing traditional meals at family gatherings
- Helping with family errands and school runs
- Offering home support when parents travel for work
- Passing down stories, expressions and customs
These small acts matter, because they give children stability while their parents work long and unusual hours. A grandmother’s home is often the center of such routines in large families, and the extended family fills that role.
Public Appearances and Support for Cardi B
Carlos prefers privacy, but he has made a few public appearances to support his daughter. He was reported at Cardi B’s Gold Album Release Party at the Moxy Hotel, a gathering that celebrated one of her music milestones. Appearances like this show parental support without turning him into a media figure.
Cardi B has also shared family moments in social media updates, which gives fans a glimpse of the people around her. His support for Cardi B is steady and low-key, and it matches the way he has always lived.
Cultural Identity and Dominican Heritage Influences
His cultural identity is built on Dominican heritage, with Caribbean traditions added through his marriage to a Trinidadian wife. The Dominican background shows up in daily life in several ways:
- Music: Bachata and Merengue music fill Dominican homes and celebrations
- Food: Caribbean dishes such as rice and beans, stewed meats and fried plantains
- Language: Dominican expressions used in casual speech
- Values: respect for elders, strong family values and community loyalty
Carlos Alman Net Worth and Financial Stability
His estimated net worth is $200,000 to $500,000. This figure is an estimate drawn from his long career as a taxi driver, personal savings and modest assets, and it is not an official number. It places him in a stable middle range, with financial security built from years of steady work rather than a single windfall.
For a driver in New York City, that level of net worth reflects careful budgeting and long working years. It also shows that financial stability can be built without public wealth or celebrity income.
Personal Attributes, Physical Appearance, and Lifestyle
Carlos stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. At 68 years old in 2026, he is described as calm, private and family-focused. His lifestyle is simple, and it centers on home, family gatherings and the city he has lived in for decades.
The Influence of Parents on Cardi B’s Work Ethic
Cardi B’s work ethic has roots in her upbringing. Her father drove a cab for long hours, and her mother worked as a grocery store cashier. Together they modeled hard work and practical money habits. The parents’ influence can be seen in three areas:
- A drive to earn through effort rather than shortcuts
- Comfort with long, irregular working hours
- Loyalty to family before status
The mix of Dominican and Trinidadian traditions also shaped her humor, her taste and her connection to fans. Cardi B often describes herself as a product of a working-class home, and her success is built on that base.
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Maintaining Privacy in the Media Spotlight
Despite his famous daughter, Carlos has worked at maintaining privacy. He rarely gives interviews and avoids the media spotlight. That choice protects family life, and it keeps his story focused on character rather than headlines. Many fans respect this approach, because it reflects the same values he raised his children with.
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Impact on Family and Lasting Legacy
Carlos’s impact on family is clear in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He gave them a home, a cultural identity and an example of dedication. His lasting legacy is not a business or a title. It is the stability, values and work ethic that helped raise a global star and a close-knit family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman, born Carlos Almánzar, is a Dominican-American retired taxi driver from New York City. He is the father of Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina Almánzar, and a grandfather to Kulture and Wave.
How old is Carlos Alman?
He was born on March 19, 1958, which makes him 68 years old in 2026.
What did Carlos Alman do for a living?
He worked as a taxi driver in New York City. He is now retired and lives a quiet, private life.
Where is Carlos Alman originally from?
He was born in the Dominican Republic and later moved to the United States, settling in New York City.
Who is Carlos Alman’s former wife?
His former wife is Clara Mercedes Almánzar, a Trinidadian former grocery store cashier. Profiles list their marriage as lasting from 1991 to 2005.
How many children does Carlos Alman have?
He has two well-known daughters, Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina, and is reported to have six other children, including Fernando Almánzar, Maciel Almánzar and Nicauly Villalona.
Conclusion
Carlos Alman is a Dominican-American retired taxi driver whose quiet life supported a famous family. From the Dominican Republic to New York City, he worked through long shifts, raised his children in The Bronx and Washington Heights, and now enjoys life as a devoted grandfather. His story shows that family responsibility and hard work can shape a legacy as strong as fame.
Jasper Vale is a measurement focused writer at Scoop Zeto, creating clear, practical content about units, conversions, calculations, and everyday measurement concepts. Jasper focuses on research, accuracy, and easy explanations, helping readers understand measurement topics with confidence. His editorial approach emphasizes useful information, careful checking, and reader friendly guidance.