Last updated on: July 24, 2025
The mother of renowned rapper Cardi B is Clara Almanzar. She was born Clara Mercedes Almanzar. She was born on September 19, 1965, in Trinidad and Tobago. Clara is of Afro-Latino descent, which means she has Spanish and African roots.
When Clara was a child, she emigrated to the United States. She planned to stay in The Bronx, New York, which is famous for being a melting pot of cultures and having a very tight-knit community.
Quick Facts About Clara Almanzar
| Full Name | Clara Mercedes Almanzar (née Disla Arenzo) |
| Birthdate | September 19, 1965 |
| Age | 60 years and 2 months old |
| Occupation | Former Grocery Store Cashier |
| Husband/Wife | Ex-Husband: Carlos Almanzar |
| Education | N/A |
| Grandchildren | Kulture Kiari Cephus, Wave Set Cephus, Blossom Cephus |
| Siblings | One of 12 children (large extended family) |
| Children | Cardi B (Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar), Hennessy Carolina |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
| Ethnicity | Afro-Latino (Spanish and African roots) |
| Nationality | Trinidadian-American |
Family and Children
In 1991, Clara wed Carlos Almanzar, a Dominican Republic man. They had two daughters:
- Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, better known as Cardi B
- Hennessy Carolina, a model and social media personality
Cardi B was born in 1992 and rose to be a music superstar. Hennessy was born in 1995 and is likewise famous. Clara brought up both daughters single-handedly for the most part after she and Carlos broke up in the early 2000s.
Cardi B also has six half-siblings on her father’s side. Three of them are:
- Maciel Almanzar – a manager
- Nicauly Villalona – a model
- Fernando Almanzar – an engineer
Clara is a grandmother of Cardi B’s three children:
- Kulture (2018)
- Wave (2021)
- Blossom (2024)
Clara’s Hard Work
Clara used to be a grocery store cashier after her divorce. She performed this role for years to support her daughters. Things were tough, but Clara never lost hope. Clara worked hard each day to feed, cloth, and give shelter to her family.
She grew up in a poor community within the Bronx. It is not always secure, but Clara remained steadfast and her eyes were on her family.
How She Raised Her Daughters
Clara was a disciplined and cautious mother. She trusted in rules and discipline. Cardi B has mentioned that her mom was very stern. Sometimes they used to fight a lot. At age 18, Clara made Cardi leave the house. But despite hard times, their relationship remained steadfast.
Clara instilled in her daughters the importance of hard work, respect, and strength. These are the things that led Cardi B to become the person she is today.
READ ALSO: Cardi B Net worth, Age, Boyfriend, Family, Facts & More
A Dream Come True
Cardi B purchased her mom a lovely house in 2018. It was always Clara’s dream. After years of struggle and hard work, it became a reality. This was a way of showing Cardi B how much she valued all that her mom had done for her.
Support and Growth
Initially, Clara struggled to come to terms with certain things about her children. For instance, Hennessy Carolina is out and proud as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Clara took some time, but she learned and grew to support her wholeheartedly.
This indicates that Clara is tolerant and flexible enough to change for the ones she cares about.
