Last updated on: July 25, 2025
Carol Maraj was born on December 24, 1959, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago. She had a large family. She was the tenth of eleven. Her family has a combination of Afro- and Indo-Trinidadian ancestry. Carol attended local schools in Trinidad. She was interested in music from an early age.
Quick Facts About Carol Maraj
| Full Name | Carol Maraj |
| Birthdate | December 24, 1959 |
| Age | 65 years and 11 months old |
| Occupation | Gospel Singer, Songwriter, Playwright, Activist |
| Husband/Wife | Robert Maraj (died 2021) |
| Education | Monroe College, Bronx, New York |
| Grandchildren | Papa Bear |
| Siblings | 10 (Carol is the 10th of 11 children) |
| Children | Jelani Maraj, Micaiah Maraj (Sons), Nicki Minaj, Ming Luanli (Daughters) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1.5 million |
Coming to the United States
Carol relocated to New York City at age 24. She wanted a better life. She attended Monroe College in the Bronx. The children remained behind in Trinidad with their grandmother. They were joined later by Carol and her husband Robert Maraj.
Subsequently, when they had settled down, they took their children to stay with them. Nicki Minaj was five years old when she moved to Queens, New York, to join her parents.
Jobs and Challenges
Life in America was not simple. Carol held numerous jobs. She was a payroll clerk, foreign exchange teller, nursing attendant, and several other jobs. She even went to school while working. In 1987, the family home burned down. That was an awful experience. Nevertheless, Carol remained strong and dedicated herself to taking care of her children.
Her Family
Carol and her husband Robert were blessed with four kids:
Nicki Minaj (born: Onika Tanya Maraj)
Ming Luanli (Nicki’s half-sister)
Carol faced hard times at home. Her husband struggled with addiction and was sometimes violent. Carol has spoken about these painful moments. She later became an advocate for women who go through similar things.
Music and Faith
Carol always loved music. She is a gospel singer, songwriter, and playwright. She released songs like:
“God’s Been Good” (2014)
“Endless” (2015)
“What Makes You” (2019)
She would often sing around the house. Nicki also was inspired by her love of music. Carol once expressed she hoped Nicki would sing gospel, but helped her pursue all her aspirations. Carol also pens Christian plays and sings to express her faith.
Role in Nicki Minaj’s Life
Carol played a big role in Nicki’s life. She helped her daughter stay grounded. She also prayed for her during tough times. Nicki often says her mom was one of her biggest supporters. Their bond is strong and full of love.
When Nicki became famous, she bought her mom a house, which was one of her childhood dreams.
READ ALSO: Nicki Minaj Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Becoming a Grandmother
In 2020, Nicki gave birth to a baby boy with her husband Kenneth Petty. They named him Papa Bear. Carol became a grandmother and enjoys special moments with her grandson.
The Carol Maraj Foundation
Carol founded the Carol Maraj Foundation in 2013. It assists women and children who are victims of domestic violence. She also founded a program called SAFE Youth Initiative. This educates youngsters on how to stay safe and deal with conflict without using violence.
Her actions assist individuals in healing and gaining their voice. Carol is a speaker at schools and events to create awareness.
