Last updated on: July 25, 2025
Kenneth Petty is the husband of popular rapper Nicki Minaj. He is well known to many fans due to his marriage to her. There is however more to learn about the life of Kenneth Petty. This article will inform you about his background, family, and some of the challenges that he has gone through.
Quick Facts About Kenneth Petty
| Full Name | Kenneth Petty |
| Birthdate | April 7, 1978 |
| Occupation | Musician; appeared in music videos |
| Husband/Wife | Married to Nicki Minaj (since 2019) |
| Education | Attended LaGuardia High School, NYC |
| Age | 47 years and 7 months old |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Papa Bear (born 2020) |
| Net Worth | $1 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Meeting Nicki Minaj
Kenneth Petty was born on April 7, 1978. He was raised in Queens, New York. He had a difficult childhood in the midst of a bustling city. This toughened him up and made him devoted to the people he loves.
Kenneth attended LaGuardia High School in New York City when he was a teenager. It was there that he became friends with Onika Tanya Maraj. You may recognize her as Nicki Minaj. They became friends when they were 14 or 15 years old. The two dated but eventually lost contact.
Years down the line, in 2018, they reconnected. Their high school love story resumed from where it ended. In October 2019, they exchanged their vows.
Family Life
Kenneth and Nicki have a son together. Their son was born in 2020. Nicki calls him “Papa Bear.” The couple lives in Los Angeles, California. Kenneth keeps a low profile. He is not very active on social media. But sometimes, he appears in Nicki’s music videos.
Friends say Kenneth really understands Nicki. They say he supports her and stays out of the spotlight.
Legal Troubles
Kenneth Petty has had numerous legal issues. These have been a huge part of his life.
In 1995, Kenneth was found guilty of attempted first-degree rape. His victim was a 16-year-old female. Kenneth spent approximately four years incarcerated for this offense. Due to this, he became a registered sex offender in the state of New York.
When Kenneth relocated to California, he was also required to register there. But he failed to do that in a timely manner. This landed him in more legal hot water.
Kenneth was sentenced to one year of home confinement in 2022. He also received three years of probation and had to pay a fine of $55,000. This was for failing to register as a sex offender in California.
In 2023, Kenneth had more issues. He was sentenced an additional 120 days of home confinement. This was for violating some of his rules for probation. Issues began after he made threatening social media posts.
READ ALSO: Nicki Minaj Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
Public Reactions and Support
Kenneth’s history and legal issues have triggered public outrage. Numerous individuals have accused Nicki Minaj of supporting him. Nevertheless, Nicki confirms that their relationship is strong. She explains that Kenneth loved her before fame caught up with her. She stands by him regardless of what people say.
Kenneth is also being sued by Jennifer Hough. She is the lady who accused him of rape in 1994. According to her, Kenneth and others attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing the charges. Nicki was initially included in the suit but was later dropped.
Life Today
Today, Kenneth Petty keeps himself largely out of the spotlight. Occasionally, he assists Nicki Minaj with her tours. Despite his issues, he is still close to Nicki and their child.
The life of Kenneth is complex. He is a father and husband. But he also has a history of which many judge him.
