Carlos Alman, more accurately known as Carlos Almánzar, is the Dominican father of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. Before his daughter became an international music star, he worked as a taxi driver in New York City and helped raise a family with strong Caribbean roots. His influence can be seen in Cardi B’s connection to Dominican culture, her Spanish-speaking upbringing, and her appreciation for traditional family dishes. Although Carlos has generally stayed away from the entertainment industry, he has occasionally accompanied his daughter to public events and family gatherings.
Who Is Carlos Alman?
Carlos Alman is best known as the father of American rapper Cardi B, whose birth name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar. He comes from the Dominican Republic and spent part of his working life as a cab driver in New York.
Unlike his famous daughter, Carlos has not pursued a widely documented career in music or entertainment. Much of what is known about him comes from Cardi B’s interviews, social media statements, and appearances with her family.
In May 2020, Cardi publicly identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar. Established publications, including PEOPLE and Reuters, generally use the shorter name Carlos Almánzar or Carlos Almanzar.
Carlos Alman: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Common search name | Carlos Alman |
| Name identified by Cardi B | Carlos Julio Almanzar |
| National origin | Dominican Republic |
| Known for | Being Cardi B’s father |
| Former occupation | New York City taxi driver |
| Former spouse | Clara Almánzar |
| Children with Clara | Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina |
| Associated locations | Dominican Republic and New York City |
| Immigration to the US | 1990, according to Cardi B |
Early Life and Dominican Background
Carlos Almánzar comes from the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean country whose language, food, and traditions have remained important to his family.
Cardi B provided a specific detail about his immigration history in May 2020, when she said he had moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1990.
New York eventually became central to his family’s life. His daughters grew up connected to two neighborhoods with substantial Dominican communities: the South Bronx and Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan.
The family also spent time at the home of Cardi B’s paternal grandmother in Washington Heights.
These connections gave Cardi B direct exposure to Dominican family traditions while growing up in an American city.
His Career as a New York City Taxi Driver
Before becoming known as Cardi B’s father, Carlos worked as a taxi driver.
In a 2024 profile of Cardi B’s parents, PEOPLE explained that Carlos drove a cab in New York for nine years. The publication also described him as having retired around the period when his daughter’s rap career was gaining momentum.
His experience in the taxi industry remained important to the family even after he stopped driving.
In 2019, Cardi B reacted publicly to a segment from The Weekly, a New York Times television series that examined the working conditions of New York cab drivers.
She explained that her father continued to advocate for drivers and drew attention to the difficulties they faced, including operating expenses and disrespectful customers.
Cardi encouraged people to treat cab drivers with greater consideration.
Her comments connected Carlos’s professional experience to an issue affecting thousands of working drivers across New York City.
Carlos Alman’s Wife and Children
Carlos was married to Clara Almánzar, Cardi B’s mother, who comes from Trinidad.
Together, they raised two daughters: Cardi B and her younger sister, Hennessy Carolina.
Cardi B
<entity category=”musical_artist” value=”Cardi B” /> was born on October 11, 1992, in Washington Heights, New York City.
She gained recognition through social media and reality television before establishing a successful recording career.
Her 2017 hit “Bodak Yellow” became a major breakthrough, and her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy, was released in April 2018.
Throughout her success, Cardi has spoken about both parents and their importance in her personal life.
Hennessy Carolina
<entity category=”people” value=”Hennessy Carolina” disambig=”Cardi B’s younger sister and fashion influencer” /> was born on December 22, 1995, in the Bronx.
She has worked as a fashion influencer, television personality, and designer.
Hennessy has also appeared alongside Cardi B at fashion events and other entertainment-industry occasions.
Carlos and Clara’s Separation
Cardi B has spoken about her parents’ separation, explaining that it occurred when she was 13.
In a 2022 social media video, she discussed how the change affected her childhood. She recalled feeling that the separation gave her greater freedom because her parents were no longer supervising her together.
Despite the divorce, both parents continued to hold important places in their daughters’ lives.
How Carlos Alman Influenced Cardi B
Carlos’s influence on his daughter goes beyond their shared surname.
Language and Cultural Identity
In an April 2018 interview with GQ, Cardi B discussed growing up bilingual in New York.
She explained that her Dominican father spoke to her exclusively in Spanish, while her Trinidadian mother spoke English.
This family environment helps explain Cardi’s familiarity with Spanish and the Dominican cultural references that frequently appear in her public conversations.
A Shared Sense of Humor
Cardi has also described similarities between herself and her father.
In a Father’s Day social media post in 2018, she called them “personality twins” and mentioned their shared love of making jokes.
The observation offers a personal glimpse of their relationship, particularly because humor became one of the defining features of Cardi’s early social media presence.
A Love of Dominican Food
Food is another connection between Carlos and his daughter.
Cardi has credited her father with introducing her to several foods, including the simple childhood habit of eating tomatoes sprinkled with salt.
In 2021, she shared a video of herself preparing mondongo, a traditional dish made with tripe and vegetables. She explained that her appreciation for the dish came from her father.
These details show how Dominican food traditions remained part of their family life in New York.
His Role as a Grandfather
Carlos also supported Cardi B after she became a mother.
Following the birth of her daughter Kulture in July 2018, Cardi posted a video thanking her parents for helping her during the early days of motherhood.
She explained that her mother had been staying close to her, while her father was helping by running errands in New York.
Cardi expressed appreciation for having both parents available when she needed assistance.
The moment offered a picture of Carlos as an involved family member rather than simply the relative of a celebrity.
Public Appearances With Cardi B
Carlos has appeared alongside Cardi B at selected entertainment events and family gatherings.
One of their earlier photographed appearances took place on April 10, 2018, when they attended Cardi B’s Gold Album release party in New York City.
A more recent appearance occurred on September 13, 2025. Reuters photographer Adam Gray captured Cardi arriving with her father at a pop-up event held at a bodega in Washington Heights.
The appearance was significant because Washington Heights was also part of Cardi’s childhood environment.
Family Visit to the Dominican Republic in 2026
In March 2026, Carlos accompanied Cardi B on a trip to the Dominican Republic.
Dominican newspapers Diario Libre and El Día reported that the family traveled to Castañuelas, a municipality in Monte Cristi province, where Cardi spent time with her paternal grandparents.
The visit included family gatherings, Dominican food, and moments shared on the rapper’s Instagram stories.
It also showed that the family continued to maintain personal connections with the Dominican Republic long after Cardi’s international success.
Carlos Alman’s Life Outside the Spotlight
Although Carlos is associated with one of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable names, his own public appearances are relatively infrequent.
His documented professional background is in taxi driving rather than recording, acting, or entertainment management.
His public story is primarily connected to his migration from the Dominican Republic, his working life in New York, and his relationships with his daughters.
Specific claims about his exact birth date, present-day finances, and current residence are not sufficiently established by authoritative biographical sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Carlos Alman’s real name?
Cardi B identified her father as Carlos Julio Almanzar in a May 2020 public statement. His surname is also commonly written Almánzar.
2. Is Carlos Alman Cardi B’s biological father?
Yes. Carlos Almánzar is Cardi B’s father. Their relationship is documented in established entertainment coverage and Reuters photographs.
3. Where is Carlos Alman from?
He comes from the Dominican Republic. Cardi B has said that he moved to the United States in 1990.
4. What does Carlos Alman do for a living?
Carlos previously worked as a New York City cab driver. Cardi B has said he spent nine years in that occupation. He has since been described as retired.
5. How many children does Carlos Alman have?
Carlos and Clara Almánzar have two publicly documented daughters together: Cardi B and Hennessy Carolina. This does not establish his total number of children from any other relationships.
6. Is Carlos Alman still close to Cardi B?
Their continued family connection is visible through public appearances. They attended a Washington Heights event together in September 2025 and traveled to the Dominican Republic together in March 2026.
Conclusion
Carlos Alman, or Carlos Julio Almánzar, is best known as Cardi B’s Dominican father and a former New York City taxi driver. His background connects the rapper’s upbringing to the South Bronx, Washington Heights, and the Dominican Republic.
Through language, food, humor, and family support, Carlos has remained part of Cardi B’s personal story. His occasional appearances with his daughter, including their 2026 trip to the Dominican Republic, offer a glimpse of that continuing family relationship.
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