How It All Began
The connection between Cardi B and Offset traces back to early 2017, a period when Cardi was still climbing toward mainstream stardom and Offset was already a household name as one third of Migos. Offset later admitted that after watching Cardi rise as an artist, he had a publicist arrange a dinner in New York with a group of women that included her. That meeting set the stage for one of hip-hop's most talked-about pairings.
Their public debut as a couple came at the Super Bowl, where the two were first photographed holding hands. Soon after, Cardi posted a Valentine's Day video referring to Offset as her "babe," though she remained coy with reporters when pressed directly about the relationship. When a Fader interviewer asked about an Atlanta-based boyfriend, Cardi deflected, refusing to confirm anything outright. Offset's bandmates in Migos weren't much more forthcoming either, often laughing off questions about Cardi with playful smirks instead of straight answers.
A Secret Wedding and a Public Proposal
What fans didn't know at the time was that the couple had already taken their relationship to the next level behind closed doors. Cardi and Offset secretly married in September 2017, weeks before Offset staged a public proposal on stage at a concert in Philadelphia that October. The order of events, marriage first, proposal second, became one of the most talked-about quirks of their love story, blending old-school romance with the unconventional reality of two rising stars trying to protect their privacy while living in the spotlight.
Their relationship also became deeply intertwined with their music. Cardi's breakout hit addressing the turbulence of loving Offset became a defining moment of her debut album, performed live on national television while she was visibly pregnant with their first child together. The song captured the emotional toll of loving someone publicly while questioning whether the relationship was sustainable, themes that would resurface again and again throughout their marriage.
Children, Cheating Scandals, and the First Divorce
Cardi and Offset welcomed their first daughter shortly after their secret wedding became public knowledge, and the family would eventually grow to include three children total. But behind the joy of parenthood, the marriage weathered repeated cheating allegations and public fallouts that tested the couple's bond from the very beginning.
By September 2020, the strain proved too much. Cardi filed for divorce from Offset, only to reconcile with him weeks later and have the case dismissed. It was the first major signal to the public that their marriage, despite its passionate highs, was far from stable. The reconciliation brought a renewed sense of partnership, and the couple continued building both their family and their respective careers, often appearing united at major industry events and on red carpets throughout the following years.
The Second Split and a Painful Co-Parenting Reality
The peace did not last indefinitely. In the summer of 2024, Cardi filed for divorce from Offset a second time, this time after seven years of marriage, and the case has remained unresolved for an extended period since. Unlike the first filing, this separation appeared to stick, with both Cardi and Offset moving toward separate lives and, eventually, new relationships.
Cardi later opened up about the emotional aftermath of the split during a televised interview, expressing a desire for a more functional co-parenting relationship even as tension lingered between them. She told Gayle King that she wished the two could simply discuss their children's milestones and report cards without it turning into conflict, adding that the relationship had become about more than just the kids. She also admitted she wished Offset had been a better partner, acknowledging the relationship's shortcomings even as she tried to move forward.
Moving On, But Never Fully Letting Go
Despite the divorce filing, Cardi and Offset's connection has proven difficult to sever completely. The two were spotted at the same Miami venue on New Year's Eve, performing on different stages before running into each other later that night. Cardi later confirmed on a livestream that the encounter turned physical, telling fans directly that she and her "baby father" had reconnected briefly despite their complicated history.
Offset, for his part, has been vocal about swearing off marriage entirely following the split. He explained in a podcast appearance that having three children and going through a marriage already felt like a completed mission, and that he no longer believed the sacrifices required for a serious relationship were worth it given his career demands.
Their bond resurfaced again under far more serious circumstances earlier this year, when Offset was shot in the leg outside a hotel in Florida. Despite their unresolved divorce, Cardi reached out to check on him while he recovered, a gesture that underscored the lingering concern between two people who built a family together even after the romance ended.
Today, both have moved into new chapters. Cardi has welcomed a child with NFL star Stefon Diggs, while Offset continues focusing on his music career and co-parenting their three children. Their story, marked by passion, heartbreak, and an undeniable bond forged through shared children, remains one of hip-hop's most complicated love stories, one that may never be entirely finished even as both parties move forward separately.
Last edited: