There’s a reason French Montana’s name keeps popping up in headlines — and it’s not just the music. From his Moroccan roots to the Bronx, and from chart-topping hits to high-profile relationships, the rapper’s life is a story of movement and reinvention, but separating fact from rumor requires looking at verified details, which this guide provides.
Real Name: Karim Kharbouch ·
Born: November 9, 1984 ·
Origin: Casablanca, Morocco / Bronx, New York ·
Genre: Hip hop, trap, pop rap ·
Debut Album: Excuse My French (2013) ·
Best-Known Song: Unforgettable (feat. Swae Lee)
Quick snapshot
- Real name is Karim Kharbouch (NRJ (French radio))
- Born November 9, 1984, in Casablanca, Morocco (NRJ (French radio))
- Dated Khloé Kardashian from 2013 to 2014 (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio))
- Has one son, Kruz, from marriage to Deen Kharbouch (Celebrity Net Worth (wealth tracker))
- Current relationship status with Sheikha Mahra unconfirmed by either party (Hindustan Times (news outlet))
- Engagement rumors to Sheikha Mahra are unverified (Hindustan Times (news outlet))
- Personal religious practice not publicly specified (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio))
- 1984: Born in Casablanca, Morocco (NRJ (French radio))
- 2013: Debut album Excuse My French released (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio))
- 2017: Unforgettable becomes his biggest hit (NRJ (French radio))
- 2024: Linked romantically to Sheikha Mahra (Hindustan Times (news outlet))
- Potential new music following 2023 album They Got Amnesia (NRJ (French radio))
- Relationship status with Sheikha Mahra remains unconfirmed (Hindustan Times (news outlet))
Six key facts, one pattern: the rapper’s public profile is a mix of well-documented milestones and persistent speculation. This table captures the essentials.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Karim Kharbouch |
| Date of Birth | November 9, 1984 (Age 39) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Net Worth (2024) | $16 million (estimated) |
| Debut Album | Excuse My French (2013) |
| Top Certified Song | Unforgettable (11× Platinum) |
Is French Montana in a Relationship?
Current relationship status with Sheikha Mahra
In early 2024, French Montana was linked to Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler. Reports from Hindustan Times (news outlet) said the rapper became engaged to her, but neither party has officially confirmed the relationship. The royal connection sparked widespread speculation, but as of 2024, the status remains unverified.
Previous relationship with Khloé Kardashian
Montana dated Khloé Kardashian from 2013 to 2014. According to AceShowbiz (celebrity bio), the relationship began after his divorce from Deen Kharbouch. The couple was often seen together, but the romance fizzled by late 2014.
Montana’s romantic life moves fast: from a marriage to Deen Kharbouch (2007–2014) to a high-profile Kardashian relationship, and now a rumored royal engagement. Each shift draws more media attention than the last.
The implication: Without official confirmation, these relationships remain in the realm of speculation.
Why Did Khloé Kardashian and French Montana Split?
Reported reasons for the breakup
Sources cited that Kardashian felt Montana was not serious about commitment. AceShowbiz (celebrity bio) reported that distance and busy schedules also played a role. The breakup was reported in late 2014, and both have moved on publicly.
Timeline of their relationship
- 2013: Montana and Kardashian begin dating.
- 2014: They split, with Kardashian later saying in a Keeping Up with the Kardashians episode that Montana wasn’t ready to settle down.
What this means: The split was less about drama and more about timing — two people at different stages of life.
Is French Montana Engaged to the Princess of Dubai?
Sheikha Mahra’s royal background
Sheikha Mahra is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Hindustan Times (news outlet) confirmed her lineage in a 2025 report about the alleged engagement.
Status of their relationship as of 2024
Rumors of an engagement circulated on social media in early 2024, but Hindustan Times (news outlet) noted that neither party has issued an official statement. The rapper’s camp has not commented, leaving the story in the realm of speculation.
Without a direct confirmation from Montana or Sheikha Mahra, the engagement claim remains a tabloid narrative — one that’s easy to spread but hard to verify.
The pattern: Media attention has not translated into confirmed facts.
What Is French Montana’s Religion?
Montana’s upbringing and religious background
Born in Morocco to a Muslim family, Montana was raised in an Islamic household. NRJ (French radio) notes his Moroccan heritage, but the rapper has not publicly specified his current religious practice. He has referenced Islam in interviews and lyrics, but avoids labeling his faith.
Public statements about faith
In a 2023 interview on The Breakfast Club, Montana said, “I’m from the streets, but I was raised Muslim.” The exact quote is not independently verified, but it aligns with his background. The implication: Montana’s religion is a private matter, and the public record offers only fragments.
Does French Montana Have Children?
Confirmed children and co-parents
Montana has one son, Kruz Kharbouch, from his marriage to Deen Kharbouch. Celebrity Net Worth (wealth tracker) states the marriage ended in divorce finalized in 2014. Blinging Beach (celebrity site) claims Kruz was born in October 2010, though this is a lower-confidence source.
Paternity rumors
Montana has been linked to other children in rumors, but he has never confirmed any. In interviews, he has discussed wanting more children in the future. Why this matters: The one confirmed child is from his marriage, and all other claims are unsubstantiated.
Career Timeline
- 1984: Born Karim Kharbouch in Casablanca, Morocco (NRJ (French radio))
- 1996: Immigrated to the Bronx, New York City (NRJ (French radio))
- 2009: Released first mixtape as French Montana (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio))
- 2012: Signed to Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio))
- 2013: Released debut studio album Excuse My French (NRJ (French radio))
- 2017: Released “Unforgettable” (feat. Swae Lee), which became 11× Platinum (NRJ (French radio))
- 2023: Released album They Got Amnesia (NRJ (French radio))
- 2024: Linked romantically to Sheikha Mahra (Hindustan Times (news outlet))
Net Worth Estimates: A Comparison
Four estimates, one pattern: the spread is wide, reflecting the difficulty of pinning down a rapper’s wealth. This table shows the variation.
| Source | Estimated Net Worth | Source Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Net Worth (wealth tracker) | $50 million | Tier 2 |
| Platinumlist (event platform) | $50 million | Tier 3 |
| The Week (news magazine) | $25–35 million | Tier 2 |
| CivicPost (blog) | $16 million | Tier 3 |
The trade-off: Higher-tier sources like Celebrity Net Worth and The Week offer more credibility, but even they disagree by millions. The $16 million figure from CivicPost is the outlier, likely based on leaner data.
For similar artist profiles, see Dr. Dre: Health, Wealth, and Relationships Explained and Sofia Richie Grainge: Biography, Relationships, and Net Worth.
Confirmed Facts
- Real name is Karim Kharbouch
- Born November 9, 1984 in Casablanca, Morocco
- Dated Khloé Kardashian from 2013 to 2014
- Has one son, Kruz, from marriage to Deen Kharbouch
- Net worth estimated at $16–50 million by multiple outlets
What’s Unclear
- Current relationship status with Sheikha Mahra unconfirmed
- Engagement rumors to Sheikha Mahra unverified
- Personal religious practice not publicly specified
- Exact shooting incident details vary across reports
Quotes from the Key Players
“I started as a battle rapper in the Bronx. That’s where I learned to survive.”
— French Montana, in an interview cited by AceShowbiz (celebrity bio)
“He wasn’t ready to settle down. It was a timing thing.”
— Khloé Kardashian, on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, as reported by AceShowbiz (celebrity bio)
French Montana’s career is a story of resilience and reinvention, but the fog of celebrity gossip often obscures the facts. For fans and curious readers, the choice is clear: stick with verified milestones — like his 11× Platinum hit “Unforgettable” and his Moroccan-American roots — and treat the rest as speculation until official sources confirm otherwise.
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Frequently asked questions
What is French Montana’s real name?
Karim Kharbouch (NRJ (French radio)).
How old is French Montana?
He was born November 9, 1984, making him 39 years old as of 2024 (NRJ (French radio)).
What is French Montana’s most famous song?
“Unforgettable” (feat. Swae Lee), certified 11× Platinum (NRJ (French radio)).
Is French Montana signed to a record label?
He is signed to Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group (AceShowbiz (celebrity bio)).
Who does French Montana date now?
Rumors link him to Sheikha Mahra, but neither party has confirmed the relationship (Hindustan Times (news outlet)).
Did French Montana get shot?
Reports of a shooting incident exist, but details vary. No verified source has confirmed the event.
How many albums has French Montana released?
He has released multiple studio albums, including Excuse My French (2013), Jungle Rules (2017), and They Got Amnesia (2023) (NRJ (French radio)).
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.