Key Takeaways
- Djimon Hounsou, known for roles in films like “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond,” is currently engaged to Ri’Za Marie and they live in Atlanta with their young children, including son Fela and a new baby.
- During a March 2023 appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Hounsou discussed becoming a father again at 58, emphasizing his belief that men should achieve certain life challenges before fatherhood.
- Previously, Hounsou had a significant relationship with Kimora Lee Simmons from 2007 to 2012, which included a traditional commitment ceremony in Benin and the birth of their son Kenzo Lee Hounsou in 2009.
Djimon Hounsou, the talented actor celebrated for his roles in Amistad, Blood Diamond, and the DC Extended Universe’s Shazam! series, has been in the spotlight for decades.
While his professional accomplishments are well-documented, fans are often curious about his personal life, especially his relationship status and family.
Is Djimon Hounsou Married?
As of January 2025, Djimon Hounsou is not officially married, but he shares a committed relationship with his fiancée, Ri’Za Marie.
The couple resides in Atlanta, Georgia, along with their toddler son, Fela, and another baby, as Hounsou revealed during a March 2023 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
During the interview, Hounsou shared his excitement about becoming a father again at the age of then-58.
He expressed his desire to provide a strong foundation for his growing family, emphasizing the importance of maturity in fatherhood:
“For men, in general, you need to at least be 35 or 40. We’re not really much of a man until we have achieved some of the challenges that we face.”
Past Relationships
Hounsou’s most notable previous relationship was with model and fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons.
The two began dating in 2007 and traveled to Hounsou’s native Benin in 2008, where they participated in a traditional commitment ceremony.
Although widely referred to as husband and wife, the couple never legally married in the United States.
Their relationship produced a son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, born in 2009. Despite their split in 2012, Hounsou remains a devoted father to Kenzo.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Djimon Hounsou’s early life began in Cotonou, Benin, where he was born to parents Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, before he and his brother Edmond immigrated to Lyon, France when Djimon was 12 years old.
- After leaving school, he experienced a period of homelessness until a fateful encounter with a photographer connected him to fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who helped launch his modeling career in Paris in 1987.
- Starting his modeling career after being discovered at Porte de Clichy, Hounsou built a successful career in Paris before making the decision to move to the United States in 1990, marking the beginning of his journey toward acting.
