When you grow up as the daughter of a famous rapper and actor, most people expect you to follow the same path. But Italia Anita Maria Smith decided to write her own story. As the oldest daughter of hip-hop legend LL Cool J, she chose a quieter life in real estate instead of the bright lights of Hollywood. Her journey shows that success comes in many different forms.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Italia Anita Maria Smith |
| Date of Birth | January 3, 1991 |
| Age | 34 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Parents | LL Cool J (Father), Simone Smith (Mother) |
| Siblings | Najee Laurent Todd Eugene Smith, Samaria Leah Wisdom Smith, Nina Simone Smith |
| Education | Northeastern University (Business Administration) |
| Profession | Licensed Real Estate Agent |
| Husband | Lamar Cardinez (Married June 17, 2017) |
| Children | Three (King Cardinez, Faith Cardinez, and one daughter) |
| Known For | Being LL Cool J’s daughter, Real Estate Career |
Growing Up in a Famous Family
Italia was born on January 3, 1991, into a family that was already well-known in the music world. Her father, whose real name is James Todd Smith, had already made his mark in hip-hop by the time she arrived. Despite the fame around her, Italia’s parents worked hard to give their children a normal childhood.
LL Cool J and his wife Simone have been married since 1995 and share four children together. They met as teenagers in 1987 and built a strong family based on love and real values. The couple always believed in teaching their kids about hard work and staying humble, no matter how much success they had.
Italia grew up with her older brother Najee and two younger sisters, Samaria and Nina. The family stayed close through the years, supporting each other in their different life choices. Her parents made sure all their children understood that fame was not everything and that they needed to find their own paths in life.
Education and Early Career
Italia went to Manhasset Senior High School, where she finished her studies in 2009. After high school, she moved on to Northeastern University, where she earned a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Marketing. During her college years, she got a taste of the entertainment world by working behind the scenes at CBS in marketing and social media roles.
However, after finishing college, Italia made an important choice. She decided to leave the entertainment industry and move into real estate. This decision showed her strong desire to build something of her own, separate from her father’s famous name. She wanted to succeed based on her own skills and hard work.
To improve her knowledge in real estate, Italia earned a Commercial Real Estate Certificate from Cornell University in 2019. This extra training helped her become better at her job and opened more doors for her career. She has worked with well-known companies like Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Keller Williams Realty Landmark, focusing on properties in Long Island, where she grew up.
Building Her Own Career
As a licensed real estate agent, Italia has built a strong career helping people find their dream homes. She works mainly in the North Shore and Suffolk communities of Long Island, areas she knows very well from her childhood. Her background in business and marketing gives her an edge in understanding what her clients need and how to help them.
Unlike many celebrity children who use their family name to get attention, Italia keeps a low profile in her professional life. She lets her work speak for itself. Her LinkedIn profile shows years of experience and dedication to her field. She treats real estate as a serious career, not just a hobby or side project.
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A Beautiful Love Story
Italia’s personal life is just as special as her career. She met her husband, Lamar Cardinez, during a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, in 2013. The two fell in love quickly and got engaged in November 2015. Their wedding took place on June 17, 2017, at the beautiful Sparkling Pointe Vineyards in Long Island, New York.
The wedding was a magical event with many famous guests, including Mary J. Blige and Niecy Nash. Italia’s mother, Simone, shared beautiful photos from the special day on social media, describing it as nothing short of magical. The bride and groom wore all white and looked deeply in love as they celebrated with family and friends.
Life as a Mother
Today, Italia is a proud mother of three children. She and Lamar welcomed their first child, a son named King Cardinez, on March 14, 2018. Their daughter Faith was born on September 23, 2020. In 2023, Italia announced she was expecting their third child, and the family has since welcomed another daughter.
Italia often shares glimpses of her family life on Instagram, where she talks honestly about the challenges and joys of motherhood. She describes it as a journey filled with “multi-tasking, compromise, sacrifice, late nights and early mornings, mistakes, daily achievements and growth.” Despite the hard work, she calls motherhood “the most important opportunity and blessing.”
Her father, LL Cool J, is a loving grandfather who enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. Italia has posted sweet photos of him teaching King new things and being present at family celebrations. The close family bond that Italia grew up with continues with the next generation.
Her Mother’s Inspiring Journey
Italia’s mother, Simone Smith, has been a major influence in her life. In 2004, Simone was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. She went through 15 hours of surgery and took two and a half years to recover. During this difficult time, LL Cool J supported her completely, and she called him “the rock” that helped her through it.
After beating cancer, Simone started a jewelry business called Simone I. Smith. She also created the “Beat Cancer Like a Boss” campaign, which donates part of her sales to the American Cancer Society. This experience taught Italia about strength, giving back, and never giving up when life gets hard.
Staying True to Herself
What makes Italia’s story special is her choice to live life on her own terms. In a world where celebrity children often try to become famous themselves, she chose a different path. She attends family events and red carpet occasions when needed, but she keeps her daily life private and focused on her career and family.
Italia’s success in real estate proves that you don’t need fame to have a meaningful and successful life. She has built a happy marriage, raised three children, and created a professional career she can be proud of. Her story shows that choosing your own path, even when it’s different from what people expect, can lead to real happiness and success.
Today, Italia continues to balance her work in real estate with her role as a wife and mother. She remains close to her family while building her own legacy. Her life is a perfect example of how success is not about following someone else’s footsteps but about creating your own journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old is Italia Anita Maria Smith? Italia was born on January 3, 1991, which makes her 34 years old as of 2025.
Q: What does Italia Anita Maria Smith do for work? She works as a licensed real estate agent, specializing in properties in Long Island, New York. She has worked with companies like Keller Williams Realty and Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
Q: How many children does Italia have? Italia and her husband Lamar Cardinez have three children: a son named King (born 2018), a daughter named Faith (born 2020), and another daughter born in 2023.
Q: When did Italia get married? Italia married Lamar Cardinez on June 17, 2017, at Sparkling Pointe Vineyards in Long Island, New York.
Q: Did Italia follow her father into the entertainment industry? No, although she briefly worked in marketing and social media at CBS during college, Italia chose to build her career in real estate instead of entertainment.
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