What is Kenneth Petty’s net worth?
Kenneth Petty is best known for his relationship with rapper Nicki Minaj, with whom he shares a long history dating back to their teenage years in Queens. The couple rekindled their relationship in 2018, married in 2019, and welcomed a son in 2020, affectionately nicknamed “Papa Bear.” While Minaj has described their bond as deeply personal and grounding, Petty has remained a polarizing figure due to his criminal record and ongoing legal troubles. He has nevertheless become a fixture in Minaj’s public life, from appearing in her music videos to joining her at major fashion and music industry events. His story is one of a complicated legacy — marked by serious crimes, ongoing controversies, and his prominent place in the orbit of one of the most famous artists in the world.
Early Life
Kenneth “Zoo” Petty was born in Queens, New York, in April 1978. He grew up in the same neighborhood as Nicki Minaj, and the two first met as teenagers while attending LaGuardia High School. They briefly dated before losing touch, and while Minaj launched her rap career, Petty’s young adulthood was marked by serious legal issues. Despite the divergence of their paths, their early connection would eventually lead them back to one another decades later.
Marriage to Nicki Minaj
Petty and Minaj reconnected in 2018 and quickly made their romance public. By October 2019, they were married, with Minaj confirming the union in an Instagram post in which she revealed she had hyphenated her name to Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty. The marriage was initially low-key, but Minaj repeatedly defended her choice of partner against critics who pointed to Petty’s criminal record. She has emphasized their bond as one of mutual understanding and history, often noting that he knew her before fame and fortune. In 2024, the couple celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, with Minaj calling their relationship “love at first sight.”
Fatherhood
In July 2020, Minaj announced she was expecting her first child with Petty, and on September 30, 2020, they welcomed a son, known publicly as “Papa Bear.” Minaj has often said motherhood gave her life new meaning, and both parents have shared glimpses of their child’s life, from themed birthday parties to appearances in high-profile magazine shoots. Despite the secrecy around his real name, “Papa Bear” has become a beloved figure among Minaj’s fans. Petty has leaned into fatherhood, often seen as a steady figure in his son’s life amid the glare of public attention.
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Legal Issues
Kenneth Petty’s past and ongoing legal battles have defined much of his public image. His record stretches back to the 1990s and has continued into the 2020s, ensuring frequent media scrutiny.
1995 – Attempted Rape Conviction: At age 16, Petty was convicted of attempted rape in the first degree for an assault on a then-16-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 18–54 months in prison and served four years. As a result, he remains a level two registered sex offender in New York State.
2002 – Manslaughter Conviction: In 2002, Petty was involved in the shooting death of Lamont Robinson. Initially charged with second-degree murder, he accepted a plea deal and pled guilty to first-degree manslaughter in 2006. He was sentenced to ten years in prison and served seven before being released in 2013. He remained on supervised release for five years after his release.
2020 – Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: After relocating to California with Nicki Minaj, Petty was arrested in March 2020 for failing to register as a sex offender. He posted $100,000 bail and initially pled not guilty, but in September 2021, he changed his plea to guilty during a virtual hearing. In July 2022, he was sentenced to one year of house arrest, three years of probation, and fined $55,000.
2021 – Jennifer Hough Lawsuit: In August 2021, Jennifer Hough, the victim in Petty’s attempted rape case, filed a harassment lawsuit against Petty and Minaj. She claimed the couple attempted to pressure her into recanting her original testimony, allegedly offering money and applying intimidation tactics. While the claims against Minaj were dropped in January 2022, the case against Petty has remained active.
2023 – Probation Violation: In September 2023, Petty threatened rapper Offset, the husband of Cardi B, on social media. The act violated his probation, leading to a sentence of 120 days of house arrest.
Life with Nicki Minaj
Despite his turbulent past, Petty has remained a constant presence in Minaj’s personal and professional life. He has appeared in her music videos for “MEGATRON” and “Hot Girl Summer,” accompanied her to high-profile events, and supported her during very public feuds with other artists, including Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Dez Bryant. Minaj has consistently defended him, emphasizing their shared history and her happiness in the relationship. For her, his presence represents grounding and loyalty, though for critics, it remains a source of controversy. As a result, Kenneth Petty has become an unavoidable figure in Minaj’s narrative — a man defined as much by his past convictions as by his role as her husband and the father of her child.
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