Fat Joe and Lorena Cartagena have been together since the ’90s

Fat Joe has been married to his wife, Lorena Cartagena, since 1995.

The rapper, whose 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 name is Joseph Cartagena, began his career as a member of D.I.T.C. in 1992. He went on to enjoy a solo career, originally going by the name Fat Joe da Gangsta.

The New York City-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 artist has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B, including Lil Wayne, French Montana, Ashanti and Remy Ma. He’s appeared in a number of movies too, including Happy Feet and Night School.

Joe’s manager at the time, Steve Lobel, introduced his client to Lorena in the early ’90s, and according to the couple, it was “love at first sight.”

“I was like man this girl’s so beautiful, I couldn’t believe it and I fell so in love with her,” Joe said in the 2017 documentary Unsung. The couple got married in 1995 and have since raised a blended family.

Joe and Lorena have three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren: sons Joey and Ryan from Joe’s previous relationships, and one daughter, Azariah, who Lorena gave 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to in 2006.

So, who is Fat Joe’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Lorena Cartagena and her relationship with the rapper.

She married Joe in 1995Fat Joe and his wife Lorena Cartegena at the Club Deep in New York City, New York.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Lorena and Joe married in 1995. In the 2022 documentary series Origins of Hip-Hop, Joe reflected on his commitment to Lorena since their wedding day over 25 years ago.

“We made an oath. We said, ‘No matter what comes our way, we’re gonna always be together.’ We live by that rule,” he said. “We want to show our people that you can be a family man. You can be with your wife and still be successful and show people a great example.”

She has a daughter and two stepsons with JoeFat Joe and his wife Lorena Cartagena with their daughter Azariah Cartagena attend the BET Hip Hop Awards 2023 on Oct. 3, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Johnny Nunez/Getty

Lorena and Joe welcomed their only 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together, a daughter named Azariah, on May 12, 2006. Joe also has two sons from previous relationships: Joey, who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 when Joe was 19, and Ryan, who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in the mid-’90s.

The couple threw an N.Y.C. 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 shower in 2006 to celebrate Lorena’s pregnancy with Azariah, which was attended by a range of stars, including DJ Khaled, Angie Martinez, LL Cool J, Mashonda and Swizz Beatz.

Lorena has complimented Joe’s parenting, too. “He is very concerned with all of his kids and he is very in tune with what’s going on in their lives,” she said in Unsung.

She appeared in a documentary with her husband in 2017Fat Joe and his wife Lorena Cartagena attend Brunch With a Baller at Escobar Restaurant and Tapas on June 18, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Joe appeared on an episode of Unsung, a documentary series profiling big-name R&B, soul and hip-hop artists, in 2017. Also profiled in the same series were Wyclef Jean, James Brown, Ice-T, Jagged Edge and SWV.

Some of Joe’s former collaborators, like 50 Cent, DJ Khaled, and Remy Ma, as well as Joe’s family, were also featured in the episode. His son Ryan and daughter Azariah both appeared, complimenting their dad on his parenting s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, while Lorena chimed in to share how the pair met and fell in love.

She shares her love for Joe on InstagramFat Joe’s wife Lorena Cartagena on her Instagram.

Lorena Cartegena Instagram

Lorena is a frequent Instagram user and has over 245,000 followers on the social media platform. She often shares photos of her husband on her account and paid tribute to him on Father’s Day in 2023 with a series of pictures, including Joe with their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and with his own father.

“Today is your day and you earned it,” Lorena wrote in the caption. “Thank you for being such a great representation of what a great father is and always making sure everyone always feels loved.”

Joe has also praised his wife on Instagram, sharing photos of him and Lorena on Mother’s Day. “Whatever LOLA wants LOLA gets,” he wrote.

She has famous friendsFat Joe’s wife Lorena Cartagena and her friends including Alicia Keys.

Lorena Cartegena Instagram

Joe isn’t the only one with famous friends, Lorena has plenty of celebrity buddies, too. On Instagram, she’s posted photos of herself hanging out with Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled and Mary J. Blige.

The couple also attended Jennifer Lopez’s 50th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day party in 2019, alongside DJ Khaled and his wife, Ashanti and Lopez’s former fiancé Alex Rodriguez.

She accompanies her husband to award shows

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Lorena is often Joe’s plus-one at industry events. In July 2024, the couple attended the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. A year prior, they were spotted at an event for The Book of HOV: A Tribute Exhibition Honoring JAY-Z.

The rapper has won or been nominated for a number of awards himself, winning an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Award in 2005 and a Billboard Latin Music Award in 2006. He’s been nominated for five Grammy Awards, two BET Awards and an MTV Video Music Award.