Rick Ross biography covering his age, children, rise from Miami’s rap scene, Maybach Music Group, Wingstop businesses, real estate, 2026 album Set In Stone and net worth.
The Rick Ross biography follows the rise of William Leonard Roberts II from Carol City, Florida, to becoming one of Southern hip-hop’s most recognisable rappers and a businessman with interests in restaurants, real estate and entertainment. He broke into mainstream music with “Hustlin’” in 2006 and built a catalogue that includes Port of Miami, Teflon Don, God Forgives, I Don’t and Port of Miami 2.
Ross also founded Maybach Music Group, the label associated with artists including Meek Mill and Wale. Away from recording, he has invested heavily in Wingstop franchises and property, including the enormous Georgia estate he calls the Promise Land.
At 50, Ross remained active in 2026. He released his 12th solo studio album, Set In Stone, in July and continued performing publicly, including at the 2026 BET Awards.
Rick Ross Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real Name | William Leonard Roberts II |
| Stage Name | Rick Ross |
| Date of Birth | January 28, 1976 |
| Age | 50 years old as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Clarksdale, Mississippi, United States |
| Raised In | Carol City, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Rapper, record executive and entrepreneur |
| Record Label | Maybach Music Group |
| Breakthrough Song | “Hustlin’” |
| Debut Album | Port of Miami |
| 2026 Album | Set In Stone |
| Publicly Documented Children | Five |
| Major Businesses | Music, restaurant franchises and real estate |
| Famous Estate | The Promise Land |
Early Life in Mississippi and Florida
Rick Ross was born William Leonard Roberts II on January 28, 1976, in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
He was raised mainly in Carol City, a community in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The Miami area later became central to both his musical identity and the luxury imagery that runs through much of his work.
Roberts attended Miami Carol City Senior High School and graduated in 1994.
Records from later in his early adulthood show that he also spent about a year studying criminal justice at Albany State College in Georgia.
Before achieving success as a rapper, Roberts worked as a correctional officer in Florida. Employment records documented that he held the position for approximately 18 months before resigning in 1997.
The job later became a subject of discussion because it contrasted sharply with the criminal-underworld imagery of his music. Ross eventually acknowledged the employment rather than continuing to dispute the records.
Becoming Rick Ross
Roberts began pursuing rap seriously during the 1990s.
He initially performed under the name Teflon Da Don and became involved with other Miami-area rappers. He was associated with the Carol City Cartel, which later became known as Triple C’s.
His eventual stage name, Rick Ross, was inspired by former Los Angeles drug trafficker “Freeway” Rick Ross. The two men are not related.
Ross spent time affiliated with Suave House Records before joining Miami label Slip-N-Slide Records, which was also home to artists including Trick Daddy and Trina.
Years of local performances and guest appearances gradually increased his profile around South Florida.
His national breakthrough arrived in 2006.
“Hustlin’” and Port of Miami
Ross released “Hustlin’” as his breakout single in 2006.
Its heavy production, instantly recognisable hook and Ross’s deep delivery helped the song spread far beyond Miami.
Interest from major record labels followed.
Ross eventually signed with Def Jam during the period when Jay-Z was serving as the label’s president.
His debut album, Port of Miami, arrived in August 2006 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
The album included “Hustlin’” as well as “Push It” and established the musical persona Ross would develop over the next two decades: expensive cars, yachts, Miami scenery, ambition and cinematic stories about wealth and crime.
His second album, Trilla, also debuted at No. 1 in 2008.
By that point, Ross had moved beyond being the rapper behind one major single and had become a commercially established hip-hop artist.
Teflon Don and Career Growth
Ross continued building his catalogue with Deeper Than Rap in 2009 and Teflon Don in 2010.
Teflon Don produced some of the songs most closely associated with his career, including “B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)” and “Aston Martin Music.”
His voice also became increasingly common on other artists’ records.
Ross appeared on notable collaborations with Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Drake, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Chris Brown and many other prominent musicians.
His verse on Kanye West’s “Devil in a New Dress” became particularly celebrated among hip-hop listeners.
Ross released God Forgives, I Don’t in 2012. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
Further albums included Mastermind, Hood Billionaire, Black Market, Rather You Than Me, Port of Miami 2 and Richer Than I Ever Been.
Maybach Music Group
One of Ross’s most important contributions to hip-hop outside his solo recordings has been Maybach Music Group, commonly shortened to MMG.
He created the label as a platform for his own music and other artists.
MMG became particularly influential during the early 2010s.
Its roster has included Meek Mill, Wale, Gunplay, Omarion and Rockie Fresh, while French Montana has also been closely connected with the label.
The Self Made compilation series helped establish the company’s identity and brought its artists together on records that became fixtures of 2010s rap.
Ross’s role consequently expanded from rapper to record executive.
Rather than relying entirely on his personal releases, he was now involved in developing other artists and building a brand around Maybach Music.
Rick Ross Albums and Grammy Recognition
Ross has released a long run of commercially successful albums.
His major solo studio projects include:
- Port of Miami;
- Trilla;
- Deeper Than Rap;
- Teflon Don;
- God Forgives, I Don’t;
- Mastermind;
- Hood Billionaire;
- Black Market;
- Rather You Than Me;
- Port of Miami 2;
- Richer Than I Ever Been;
- Set In Stone.
He has also recorded collaborative projects, including Too Good to Be True with Meek Mill in 2023.
Ross has received multiple Grammy nominations across his career. His nominations have recognised both his own albums and collaborations with other performers.
Although he had not won a Grammy as of 2026, his longevity, guest appearances and record-label work have made him an established figure in mainstream hip-hop.
Set In Stone and Rick Ross in 2026
Ross released Set In Stone in July 2026 through Maybach Music Group in partnership with gamma.
The 19-track project became his first solo studio album since Richer Than I Ever Been in 2021.
Its guest list included artists such as Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, Yung Miami, French Montana, Max B, T.I. and Leon Thomas.
Songs connected to the project included “Minks In Miami,” “Mahogany Caskets” and “Ring Around The Rolls.”
The album arrived roughly 20 years after Port of Miami, giving Ross an opportunity to frame the project around longevity rather than a comeback after disappearing from music.
He also performed at the 2026 BET Awards in Los Angeles.
By October 2026, Ross remained active as both a recording artist and performer.
Wingstop and Restaurant Businesses
Ross has worked deliberately to build income outside music.
His most widely reported business interest is Wingstop.
Ross and his business interests have operated more than 20 Wingstop restaurants. He became involved with the franchise after developing an appreciation for the chain’s products and later expanded his holdings through multiple locations.
The restaurants provide an important distinction between Ross’s public image of wealth and his actual business activities.
He has regularly spoken about using franchise ownership to generate long-term cash flow and create employment.
Ross has also encouraged his children to think about ownership. His son William received a Wingstop franchise as a teenager, which Ross described as an opportunity to introduce him to entrepreneurship and responsibility.
His business interests have extended to other food and beverage ventures as well.
The Promise Land and Real Estate
Real estate represents another major part of Ross’s investment strategy.
His best-known property is the enormous Fayetteville, Georgia, estate formerly owned by heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield.
Ross purchased the property for approximately $5.8 million in 2014.
The mansion contains more than 100 rooms and sits on hundreds of acres. Ross later purchased approximately 87 additional acres beside the property.
He calls the expanded estate the Promise Land.
The property has become part home, part business asset and part extension of the Rick Ross brand.
It has hosted events and appeared in film productions. Eddie Murphy’s Coming 2 America used the estate as a filming location.
Ross has said that his interest in real estate was strongly influenced by his mother, who encouraged him to acquire tangible assets rather than spend all of his income on temporary luxuries.
Rick Ross Children
Rick Ross has five children who have been publicly documented.
They include daughters Toie Roberts and Berkeley Hermès Roberts, as well as sons William Roberts III, Billion Leonard Roberts and Bliss Roberts.
His eldest children are adults, while his younger children were born between 2017 and 2020.
Ross has spoken frequently about wanting his children to understand entrepreneurship rather than simply inherit the benefits of his success.
Some uncertainty exists around the total number of children he has. In late 2025, his eldest daughter publicly said her father had eight children.
Ross has not publicly confirmed that number. For that reason, five remains the number that can be clearly supported through established public reporting rather than presenting unverified family information as fact.
Ross has never publicly confirmed a current marriage.
He was briefly engaged to model Lira Galore in 2015, but the engagement ended before they married.
Health and Lifestyle Changes
Ross has experienced significant health problems during his career.
In 2011, he suffered two seizures in one day while travelling.
He later discussed changing his lifestyle after further health concerns. His efforts included changing his eating habits and exercising more regularly.
Ross has also spoken publicly about weight loss and the importance of taking his health more seriously after years of demanding schedules and unhealthy habits.
Those experiences later appeared alongside business lessons and personal reflections in his books, including Hurricanes and The Perfect Day to Boss Up.
October 2026 Arrest and Pending Criminal Case
On October 1, 2026, Ross was arrested in Miami Beach on charges related to an alleged domestic-violence incident.
Authorities charged him with felony battery by strangulation and misdemeanor battery.
According to police allegations, the incident occurred in August at Ross’s Star Island residence. Ross was released on bond after appearing in court.
Ross has denied the accusations.
The case was still pending as of October 1, and an arraignment was scheduled for later in the month.
No court had found Ross guilty of the allegations at the time this article was prepared. The accusations and criminal charges should therefore not be described as established facts about what occurred.
Rick Ross Net Worth
Rick Ross’s exact net worth has not been reliably disclosed.
Online estimates commonly place his fortune at very high levels, but most of those figures are not supported by audited accounts, court disclosures or sufficiently detailed financial records.
What can be established is that Ross has multiple major sources of wealth.
His music catalogue has generated income from album sales, streaming, publishing, touring and performance fees.
Maybach Music Group adds another commercial interest through recordings and artists connected with the label.
His restaurant portfolio includes more than 20 reported Wingstop locations, while his real-estate holdings include multimillion-dollar properties in Georgia, Florida and other locations.
The Promise Land alone was purchased for $5.8 million before Ross expanded the property with additional acreage.
Ross has also earned money from books, endorsements, partnerships and other investments.
These assets clearly establish him as a wealthy multimillionaire entrepreneur. They do not, however, provide enough information to state a precise current net worth responsibly.
Conclusion
The Rick Ross biography is built around more than the luxury imagery heard in his records.
William Roberts developed his career through Miami’s rap scene before “Hustlin’” and Port of Miami turned him into a national star. He then used that visibility to build a long-running catalogue, establish Maybach Music Group and expand into restaurants and real estate.
His 2026 album Set In Stone arrived 20 years after his debut, demonstrating unusual longevity in a genre where careers can change quickly.
Ross’s business portfolio has become almost as important to his public identity as music, particularly his Wingstop franchises and Promise Land estate.
At 50, he remains an active rapper, label executive, entrepreneur and father whose career continues to develop, while the criminal charges filed against him in October 2026 remain unresolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rick Ross?
Rick Ross is an American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II. He is known for songs including “Hustlin’,” “Aston Martin Music” and “B.M.F.,” and for founding Maybach Music Group.
How old is Rick Ross?
Rick Ross was born on January 28, 1976. He is 50 years old as of October 2026.
What is Rick Ross’s real name?
Rick Ross’s real name is William Leonard Roberts II.
How many children does Rick Ross have?
Five children are clearly documented publicly: Toie, William III, Berkeley, Billion and Bliss. His eldest daughter said in 2025 that he has eight children, but Ross has not publicly confirmed that figure.
Is Rick Ross married?
Rick Ross has not publicly confirmed that he is married. He was briefly engaged to Lira Galore in 2015, but they did not marry.
Does Rick Ross own Wingstop restaurants?
Yes. Rick Ross is a Wingstop franchisee and has been reported to own or control more than 20 locations through his business interests.
What is Rick Ross’s net worth?
Rick Ross’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. His wealth comes from music, Maybach Music Group, restaurant franchises, real estate and other investments, but no authoritative financial disclosure establishes his complete current fortune.
