Carlos Alman: The Dominican Father Behind a Global Superstar

When people hear about Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar), the first things that come to mind are her chart-topping hits, bold personality, and rise from the Bronx, New York to international fame. Yet behind her success is a quieter figure — her father, Carlos Alman, a man whose life story reflects the broader experience of many immigrants. Born on March 19, 1958 (date of birth) in the Dominican Republic, Carlos Alman embodies the resilience, work ethic, and cultural values that helped shape his children’s journey.

This article explores his background, his role as an immigrant father in New York City, his devotion to family, and his enduring legacy as the Grammy-winning rapper’s father.

Early Life in the Dominican Republic

Carlos Alman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, a nation known for its Afro-Caribbean influence in America, rich traditions, and vibrant community life. Growing up in a modest household, he absorbed the Dominican traditions and values that would later guide him in his role as a strict but loving father figure. His upbringing included exposure to Dominican cuisine (e.g., mondongo), religious customs, and a culture where family was at the center of life.

As part of a generation seeking better opportunities abroad, he eventually joined the wave of immigrant parents in New York who left their homeland to build a better future for their children.

Immigration Journey: From Santo Domingo to the Bronx, New York

The move from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx, New York was not just a geographical shift — it was a cultural transformation. Arriving in New York City, Carlos Alman faced the common challenges of immigrant struggles and resilience: language barriers, economic hardship, and the difficulty of adapting to a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

Like many who made the journey before him, he carried the immigrant work ethic, determined to provide stability for his family. Settling in the Bronx, a borough defined by Bronx cultural diversity, he contributed to the growing Afro-Latina culture of the city.

The Taxi Driver Profession in New York City

One of the defining aspects of Carlos Alman’s life was his career as a taxi driver in New York City. Driving cabs was more than just a way to earn a living — it symbolized the immigrant family hardships and sacrifices necessary to build a stable household.

Taxi work demanded long hours, unpredictable schedules, and constant interaction with the diverse and sometimes chaotic streets of New York City. Yet this profession gave Carlos Alman the financial means to raise his children, proving the deep family devotion and sacrifice of a father determined to secure a brighter future.

Family Life and Marriage

Carlos Alman married Clara Mercedes Almánzar (ex-wife), another Dominican immigrant. Together, they raised their children with strong discipline, instilling respect and responsibility. Their marriage eventually ended, but their children — especially Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) and Hennessy Carolina — carried the lessons of parenting values and discipline forward in their own lives.

Even after separation, Carlos Alman maintained his role as a strict but loving father figure, guiding his daughters while balancing the struggles of immigrant life.

The Father of a Superstar: Relationship with Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar)

The world knows Cardi B as a bold, outspoken, and influential artist, but to her father, she is his daughter. Their father-daughter relationship reflects the complexities of an immigrant family story.

While Carlos Alman was not always in the public eye, his influence is evident in Cardi B’s pride in her Afro-Latina identity and her frequent references to growing up in the Bronx, New York. She often highlights her parents’ sacrifices — a nod to the resilience and perseverance in immigrant families like hers.

Other Family Members and Extended Roots

Beyond Cardi B, Carlos Alman’s family includes:

• Hennessy Carolina, Cardi B’s younger sister, who has also built her own public identity.

• Esperanza Almanzar (mother), representing his Dominican roots.

• Relatives such as Maciel Almanzar, Nicauly Villalona, and Fernando Almanzar, who illustrate the extended network of Dominican-American family ties.

This Dominican-American family story is a reminder of how immigrant roots continue to shape second and third generations in the United States.

Cultural Influence: Heritage Passed to Children

Through his example and upbringing, Carlos Alman passed down:

• Dominican Republic heritage, giving his children a cultural foundation.

• Exposure to Dominican cuisine (e.g., mondongo), music, and traditions.

• Emphasis on immigrant work ethic, discipline, and perseverance.

These elements nurtured the cultural legacy in children, allowing them to succeed while maintaining pride in their Afro-Latina identity.

The Afro-Caribbean Influence in America

As a Dominican immigrant in New York City, Carlos Alman became part of a larger narrative of Afro-Caribbean influence in America. The Bronx, where his family lived, is renowned for blending cultures — from salsa and merengue to hip-hop and reggaeton.

This Bronx cultural diversity helped shape the worldview of his daughters, particularly Cardi B, whose music and style often celebrate her Afro-Latina culture.

Life After Retirement

Having spent decades in the taxi driver profession, Carlos Alman eventually transitioned into a private lifestyle after retirement in New York. At 67 years old (in 2025), standing at 5 feet 11 inches / 180 cm (height) and weighing around 65 kilograms / 143 pounds (weight), he remains a respected elder in his community.

His private lifestyle after retirement reflects the modest dignity of many first-generation immigrants who prefer life away from the spotlight, even as their children achieve global fame.

Parenting Philosophy: Discipline and Devotion

The immigrant experience is not only about survival; it is also about shaping the next generation. Carlos Alman’s parenting approach combined:

• Parenting values and discipline rooted in Dominican culture.

• Emphasis on education, respect, and responsibility.

• A balance of firmness and love, becoming the archetype of a strict but loving father figure.

These principles laid the foundation for his daughters’ resilience and confidence.

The Broader Story: Immigrant Struggles and Resilience

The story of Carlos Alman is not unique to one man — it represents the larger narrative of countless families who moved from the Dominican Republic and other nations to the United States.

His journey highlights:

• Immigrant struggles and resilience in the face of economic challenges.

• Immigrant family hardships, including long work hours and cultural adaptation.

• Resilience and perseverance in immigrant families, ensuring children have opportunities unavailable to their parents.

Legacy as the Grammy-Winning Rapper’s Father

Although he never sought fame himself, Carlos Alman became recognized globally as the father of Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) — a Grammy-winning rapper’s father.

His influence may not be measured in celebrity headlines but in the values, traditions, and discipline that shaped his daughters’ lives. His story reminds us that behind every superstar is a family history of sacrifice and resilience.

Conclusion

Carlos Alman’s life encapsulates the immigrant journey: born in the Dominican Republic, adapting to New York City as a hardworking taxi driver profession, raising children within the vibrant context of Bronx cultural diversity, and passing down traditions of discipline, pride, and perseverance.

As an elder living a private lifestyle after retirement, his legacy continues through his daughters, especially Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) and Hennessy Carolina, who carry forward the Afro-Latina culture and resilience inherited from him.

The story of Carlos Alman is ultimately one of family devotion and sacrifice, a portrait of how immigrant struggles and resilience lay the groundwork for future generations’ success. His life is both a personal tale and part of the broader Dominican-American family story that continues to enrich the cultural fabric of the United States.

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