Rick Ross

Rick Ross has five children: Toie Roberts, William Roberts III, Berkeley Hermès Roberts, Billion Leonard Roberts, and Bliss Roberts. He was briefly engaged to Lira "Galore" Mercer in 2015 and was engaged to Liz Hagelthorn in 2017. He and Briana Camille have three children together, Berkeley Hermès, Billion Leonard, and Bliss. He began dating Cristina Mackey in 2023.

Ross experienced two seizures on October 14, 2011, and was hospitalized after the second episode. He later attributed the seizures to a lack of sleep. In March 2018, he was hospitalized after being found unresponsive at his Miami home and was released several days later.

Ross identifies as a Christian and has said that he prays before performing onstage.

Born William Leonard Roberts II, Ross initially recorded under the name Teflon Da Don before adopting the stage name Rick Ross. The name came from the Los Angeles drug kingpin "Freeway" Rick Ross, with whom he has no connection. Before his solo breakthrough, Ross worked with Suave House Records, signed with Slip-n-Slide Records, toured with Trick Daddy, and made guest appearances on Slip-n-Slide releases.

His debut single, "Hustlin'," was released in March 2006. After attracting offers from Bad Boy Entertainment and Murder Inc., Ross signed with Def Jam Recordings in a deal associated with Jay-Z. His debut album, Port of Miami, was released in August 2006 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album included "Hustlin'" and "Push It" and received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.

Ross followed the album with Trilla in 2008 and Deeper Than Rap in 2009. Both albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, establishing a run of commercially prominent releases.

Ross founded Maybach Music Group in 2008, and the label later signed artists including Meek Mill, Wale, French Montana, and Omarion. He also became a lead member of the group Triple C's alongside Florida rappers Gunplay and Torch. Triple C's released the album Custom Cars & Cycles in 2009.

Ross's fourth studio album, Teflon Don, arrived in 2010 and included "Aston Martin Music" featuring Drake and Chrisette Michele. In 2011, he signed Wale and Meek Mill to Maybach Music Group, which released the compilation album Self Made Vol. 1. His fifth album, God Forgives, I Don't, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2012 and included collaborations with Usher, Meek Mill, Drake, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z.

Mastermind also debuted at number one in 2014. His later albums included Rather You Than Me in 2017, Port of Miami 2 in 2019, and Richer Than I Ever Been in 2021. He also released the collaborative album Too Good to Be True with Meek Mill in 2023.

Ross has received nine Grammy Award nominations. He was named The Source's Man of the Year in 2010 and 2011, and MTV named him the Hottest MC in the Game in 2011.

Ross has appeared as an actor or as himself in film and television projects including Days of Wrath, Freaknik: The Musical, Magic City, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party, Superfly, Step Up: High Water, Coming 2 America, and Dave. His music has also appeared in films including Django Unchained, Suicide Squad, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Monkey Man.

His book The Perfect Day to Boss Up debuted at number five on The New York Times weekly bestsellers list in 2021. Outside music and acting, Ross has owned multiple Wingstop restaurant locations and has been associated with the RICH Hair Care brand, Belaire champagne, and the Rich by Rick Ross clothing line.

Ross's previous employment as a correctional officer in Florida became public in 2008 after he had initially denied that a photograph showed him in uniform. He later acknowledged working as a correctional officer for 18 months between 1995 and 1997. The revelation became a recurring subject in his music and public disputes.

The use of the name Rick Ross led to a legal dispute with "Freeway" Ricky Ross. On December 30, 2013, a court ruled in favor of the rapper, allowing him to keep the name under a First Amendment ruling. Ross also faced legal proceedings in Georgia after a 2015 arrest on kidnapping and assault charges. In 2017, he pleaded no contest to aggravated assault and five misdemeanors, receiving probation and other penalties.

Ross's professional relationship with Reebok ended in 2013 after criticism of lyrics on Rocko's song "U.O.E.N.O." Reebok dropped him from its partnership, and a concert appearance at Carleton University was canceled after protests. Ross apologized for the lyrics, and Rocko later removed his verse to obtain radio play.

From 2009, Ross was involved in a public feud with 50 Cent that produced diss tracks and repeated exchanges. Ross later said he no longer wanted to discuss the feud, although it resurfaced in 2016.