The marriage of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and his model-turned-entrepreneur wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, is officially kaput. It's been rumored that they broke up last summer, and US Weekly is scooping that Russell has taken up with a new girlfriend, 23-year-old model Denise Vasi.
In a statement released to the Associated Press today, Russell said: "Kimora and I will remain committed parents and caring friends with great love and admiration for each other. We will also continue to work side by side on a daily basis as partners in all of our businesses."
The statement also confirmed that the couple have been separated "for some time" but have continued living under the same roof. Russell, 48, and Kimora, 30, have two daughters: Ming, 6, and Aoki, 3, who both model for Baby Phat Clothing, Kimora's offshoot of her husband's Phat Farm clothing line.
Model Tyra Banks told People back in 2002 that she was "skeptical" of the match when she first heard of their relationship, but, added: "[Kimora] turned the man about town into a loving husband and papa."
It seems now, however, that Russell has returned to his old ways. As for his new young girlfriend, a source says, "She's a spiritual person. They are doing yoga together."
