Cardi B and Offset: A Complete Relationship Timeline
From whirlwind romance to multiple breakups: The complete story
The relationship between rap superstars Cardi B and Offset has captivated fans and media alike since they first appeared together in 2017. Their journey has been marked by passionate romance, public controversies, multiple breakups, and three beautiful children. What started as an industry connection evolved into one of hip-hop’s most talked-about relationships, complete with secret marriages, grand gestures, and very public reconciliations.
From their initial meeting at an industry event to their current co-parenting arrangement following their 2024 divorce filing, Cardi B and Offset’s relationship has played out in the public eye. Their story encompasses everything from collaborative music projects to social media drama, courthouse weddings to red carpet appearances, and intimate family moments shared with millions of followers. Despite the ups and downs, the couple has remained connected through their three children and continues to navigate their complex relationship while maintaining successful solo careers.
The Beginning: How They Met and Started Dating
Cardi B and Offset’s story began in 2016 when they met at an industry event. According to Cardi B’s own accounts, Offset was immediately interested and pursued her with remarkable consistency. However, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper initially had reservations about his intentions, believing he was only interested in a casual physical relationship rather than something more serious.
Despite her initial hesitation, Offset’s persistence eventually paid off. He reached out to her regularly, demonstrating genuine interest that went beyond surface-level attraction. This consistent effort slowly began to change Cardi’s perception of what he wanted from their connection. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before their professional relationship began to evolve into something more personal.
Their first collaborative effort came in January 2017 when they released a song together titled “Lick.” This musical partnership emerged months before Cardi B would achieve mainstream breakthrough success with her chart-topping hit “Bodak Yellow.” The collaboration showcased their natural chemistry and marked the beginning of what would become both a personal and professional partnership that would produce multiple hit songs over the years.
Going Public: Super Bowl Date and Valentine’s Day
The couple made their relationship more visible to the public on February 2, 2017, when Offset made a surprise cameo appearance on Cardi B’s Instagram during Super Bowl LI. At the time, both stars attempted to downplay the significance of their appearance together, suggesting they were simply friends enjoying the big game. However, Offset later revealed to Rolling Stone that this Super Bowl outing was actually their first official date, making it a significant milestone in their relationship timeline.
Just twelve days later on Valentine’s Day 2017, Cardi B posted a photo of Offset on her social media, further fueling speculation about the nature of their relationship. Despite this romantic gesture, the couple continued to maintain some level of privacy about their connection, neither confirming nor denying the dating rumors that were beginning to swirl among fans and media outlets. Offset commented on what would later become a deleted Instagram post with a romantic couple emoji, offering a subtle hint about their true relationship status.
The Secret Wedding That Shocked Everyone
In what would become one of the biggest revelations of their relationship, it was later discovered that Cardi B and Offset had secretly gotten married. While they would go on to have a public engagement and proposal, the couple had actually tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2017, long before fans knew about their marital status. This secret wedding demonstrated their desire to keep certain aspects of their relationship private despite their very public personas.
The revelation of their secret marriage came as a shock to many fans who had been following their relationship journey. It meant that during many of the public milestones that seemed to be moving their relationship forward, they were already legally married. This behind-the-scenes reality added another layer of complexity to understanding their relationship timeline and showed that what the public saw was only part of their complete story.
Building a Family: Pregnancy Announcements and Children
The couple’s relationship entered a new phase with the announcement of Cardi B’s first pregnancy. The rapper famously revealed her baby bump during a performance on Saturday Night Live, confirming months of speculation about her expectant status. This announcement came during a crucial time in her career, as she was working to complete her debut album while preparing for motherhood.
On July 10, 2018, Cardi B gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Kulture Kiari Cephus. The arrival of their daughter marked a significant milestone in their relationship and added a new dimension to their already complex dynamic. Cardi has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing new motherhood with her rapidly ascending career, crediting Offset with encouraging her to complete her album despite the pregnancy.
The couple would go on to welcome two more children together. Their son Wave Set Cephus was born, and most recently, they welcomed their second daughter. In June 2025, Cardi shared the first photos of their youngest daughter, Blossom, giving fans a glimpse into their growing family. Despite their relationship challenges, both parents have remained committed to co-parenting their three children.
The First Major Breakup and Public Drama
December 2018 marked a tumultuous period in their relationship when serious issues came to light. The couple faced their first major public breakup amid allegations of infidelity on Offset’s part. The split sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with fans taking sides and media outlets extensively covering every development. Cardi B addressed the situation directly on social media, announcing their separation and asking for privacy during a difficult time.
What happened next became one of the most memorable and controversial moments in their relationship. During Cardi B’s performance at the Rolling Loud Festival in December 2018, Offset made an unexpected appearance onstage. He interrupted her set with an elaborate display of roses arranged to spell out “Take me back Cardi,” making a very public plea for reconciliation. The grand gesture divided public opinion, with some finding it romantic while others criticized it as manipulative and disrespectful to Cardi’s professional moment.
The public nature of this reconciliation attempt sparked intense debate about relationship boundaries and respect. Many fans felt that interrupting Cardi’s professional performance crossed a line, regardless of his intentions. Others viewed it as a passionate declaration of love and commitment. Regardless of public opinion, the gesture demonstrated the intense, dramatic nature of their relationship and set the tone for how their future reconciliations and splits would play out in the public sphere.
Opening Up: Therapy, Counseling, and Personal Growth
In February 2019, Cardi B provided deeper insight into their breakup during a candid cover story interview with Harper’s Bazaar. She revealed that their split was entirely her decision, emphasizing that neither friends nor family influenced her choice to leave the relationship. This statement highlighted her independence and agency in making major life decisions, despite the public scrutiny and opinions surrounding their relationship.
During the same interview, Cardi disclosed that Offset had suggested couples therapy before their breakup, hoping professional help could save their marriage. However, she was firm in her refusal to pursue counseling at that time. Her reasoning was straightforward and decisive—she didn’t believe any counselor or therapeutic intervention could change her mind about ending the relationship. This revelation showed that while Offset was willing to work on their issues through professional help, Cardi had reached a point where she felt the relationship was beyond repair.
The Grammy Reconciliation and Career Milestones
By February 2019, the couple had officially reconciled, making their reunion known to the world with their appearance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. The red carpet moment served as their public declaration that they were back together, and they weren’t shy about displaying their affection. The couple engaged in passionate public displays of affection throughout the evening, making it clear that their reconciliation was real and they were committed to moving forward together.
The Grammy night held special significance for Cardi B professionally as well. She was nominated for five awards and made history by becoming the first solo female artist to win Best Rap Album for her critically acclaimed debut “Invasion of Privacy.” During her emotional acceptance speech, Cardi acknowledged the challenging circumstances under which the album was created, revealing that she discovered her pregnancy when she had only completed three songs. She credited Offset with encouraging her to complete the project, thanking him publicly and calling him “husband” in front of millions of viewers.
Musical Collaborations and Creative Partnership
Throughout their relationship, Cardi B and Offset have maintained a creative partnership alongside their personal connection. Their first collaboration “Lick” came early in their relationship in January 2017. They continued working together musically over the years, with notable tracks including “Clout” in 2019, which addressed the pressures of fame and public scrutiny they faced as a couple.
In July 2023, following another period of relationship turbulence and cheating allegations, the pair released “Jealousy,” marking their fifth musical collaboration and their first since “Clout.” The song and its accompanying music video seemed to address the infidelity accusations directly, showing the couple choosing to block out external noise and move past their issues together. These musical collaborations have served as both artistic expressions and public statements about the state of their relationship at various points in time.
Social Media Drama and Cheating Allegations
In June 2023, their relationship faced another major challenge when Offset publicly accused Cardi B of cheating on him via social media. The accusation sparked immediate attention and speculation across social media platforms and entertainment news outlets. However, just one month later in July 2023, Offset clarified the situation during an interview with Angela Yee, walking back his previous statements and providing context for the public accusation.
During the interview, Offset explained that the accusation came during a heated argument when both were upset. He described his wife as having a “pitbull at the mouth” personality, acknowledging that their arguments could get intense. He admitted that he was particularly angry that night and made the post impulsively, suggesting it was more about expressing frustration in the moment rather than an actual accusation of infidelity. He reaffirmed his love for Cardi, calling her his wife and expressing deep affection despite their conflicts.
The Pattern of Breaking Up and Getting Back Together
December 2023 marked another turning point when fans noticed that Cardi B and Offset had unfollowed each other on Instagram. This digital distancing quickly became a trending topic, with followers interpreting it as a sign of serious relationship trouble. Around the same time, Cardi shared cryptic messages on her Instagram Story about outgrowing relationships and prioritizing her own feelings, stating she was tired of protecting other people’s emotions and needed to put herself first.
On December 11, 2023, Cardi B confirmed what many had suspected, announcing that she was single. However, their relationship continued to defy simple categorization. By January 1, 2024, Cardi clarified that despite hooking up with Offset on New Year’s Eve, they were not officially back together. This revelation demonstrated the complicated nature of their connection—even when not in a committed relationship, they maintained intimacy and couldn’t seem to completely separate from each other.
Their pattern continued on Valentine’s Day 2024, when the estranged couple reunited once again. These repeated cycles of breaking up and reconnecting became a defining characteristic of their relationship, leaving fans and observers confused about their actual status at any given time. The on-again, off-again nature of their romance showed that despite their differences and public conflicts, there remained a strong pull between them that neither seemed able to fully resist.
The Final Split: Divorce Filing and Moving Forward
On August 1, 2024, Cardi B made a significant announcement that shocked many of her followers. She revealed she was pregnant with their third child shortly after filing for divorce from Offset. According to court documents obtained by various media outlets, the marriage was described as “irretrievably broken.” In the divorce filing, Cardi requested child support for their children and sought legal custody along with primary physical custody of their kids.
The timing of the pregnancy announcement alongside the divorce filing presented a complex situation that generated significant media attention and public discussion. Despite ending their romantic relationship, the couple was about to welcome another child together, further intertwining their lives and families. This development meant they would need to navigate co-parenting three children while going through divorce proceedings and maintaining their individual careers.
On September 7, 2024, Cardi gave birth to their third child and second daughter, adding another member to their family during this transitional period. Just days before, on September 1, 2024, the former couple had reunited to celebrate their son Wave’s second birthday, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining family connections and prioritizing their children despite their personal differences. These moments showed that while their romantic relationship had ended, they were working to establish a functional co-parenting relationship.
Co-Parenting and Current Relationship Status
Following their separation and the birth of their third child, Cardi B and Offset have focused on co-parenting their three children. In June 2025, Cardi shared the first public photos of their youngest daughter, Blossom, giving fans a first look at the newest addition to their family. The photos demonstrated that despite their separation, both parents were present and involved in their children’s lives.
When asked about her current relationship with Offset in September 2025, Cardi chose to sidestep direct questions about their friendship status. Later that month, on September 19, 2025, she provided an update on their relationship amidst the ongoing divorce proceedings. While specific details of her statement weren’t fully elaborated, it’s clear that both are working to establish a new normal that prioritizes their children’s well-being while respecting their own individual needs and boundaries.
The evolution from passionate romance to co-parents navigating separation represents a significant transformation in their relationship. Both Cardi B and Offset have expressed commitment to maintaining a positive environment for their children, attending birthday parties and family events together when necessary. This mature approach to co-parenting demonstrates growth and a willingness to put their children’s needs above their personal conflicts.
Anniversary Celebrations and Special Moments
Throughout their marriage, Cardi B and Offset made efforts to celebrate significant milestones together. On September 20, 2023, the couple acknowledged their six-year wedding anniversary, marking more than half a decade since their secret courthouse ceremony. These anniversary celebrations often included social media posts and public acknowledgments of their relationship, giving fans glimpses into their private moments of appreciation for each other.
The couple also showed their commitment through permanent gestures like matching tattoos. In February 2022, Cardi and Offset got matching tattoos, symbolizing their bond in a way that would last beyond temporary feelings or circumstances. These tattoos represented their desire to mark their connection permanently, even though relationships themselves can change and evolve over time.
Other significant moments included their appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 13, 2023, and the VMAs on September 12, 2023, where they walked red carpets together and presented a united front to the public. On October 13, 2023, they came together to celebrate Offset’s new album “Set It Off,” showing support for each other’s professional achievements even during challenging periods in their personal relationship.
Ultimatums and Relationship Boundaries
In April 2022, Cardi B opened up about setting boundaries within her marriage by revealing what her “ultimatum” to Offset was. While she didn’t provide extensive details publicly, this acknowledgment demonstrated that she had established clear expectations and non-negotiable standards for their relationship. The concept of an ultimatum suggested that there were specific behaviors or changes she required from Offset for their marriage to continue.
This revelation showed a more mature approach to their relationship challenges compared to earlier years. Rather than simply breaking up and getting back together without addressing underlying issues, Cardi appeared to be setting clear terms for reconciliation and continued partnership. The ultimatum represented her growth in understanding what she needed from a relationship and her willingness to communicate those needs directly, even if it meant risking the relationship.
The Impact of Fame and Public Scrutiny
One of the unique challenges Cardi B and Offset faced throughout their relationship was the intense public scrutiny that came with their celebrity status. Every breakup, reconciliation, social media post, and public appearance was analyzed, discussed, and debated by millions of people. This level of attention added pressure to an already complex relationship, making it difficult to work through issues privately.
In September 2023, Cardi B made an interesting admission during an interview, stating that she never thought she and Offset would actually get married. This comment revealed that despite their eventual marriage and family, there was always some level of uncertainty or surprise about how their relationship developed. The unpredictable nature of their connection, combined with public pressure and expectations, created a unique set of circumstances that few couples have to navigate.
Both artists have addressed how fame impacts their relationship in various interviews and through their music. The constant speculation, rumors, and commentary from outsiders created additional stress beyond normal relationship challenges. Managing public perception while trying to maintain an authentic connection proved to be an ongoing struggle for the couple throughout their time together.
What Makes Their Story Unique
The relationship between Cardi B and Offset stands out in celebrity culture for several reasons. First, their willingness to repeatedly reconcile despite public breakups showed a level of commitment and connection that persisted despite obvious challenges. Many couples, especially in the public eye, would have ended things permanently after the first major scandal, but Cardi and Offset continued trying to make their relationship work.
Second, their transparency about their struggles—from infidelity to therapy to divorce—provided a more realistic portrayal of relationship challenges than the typically polished image celebrities present. While some criticized their public drama, others appreciated the honesty and relatability of seeing two people genuinely struggle with commitment, trust, and family obligations while navigating fame.
Finally, their evolution from romantic partners to co-parents demonstrates that relationships can transform while still maintaining family connections. Their current focus on raising their three children together, despite no longer being in a romantic relationship, shows maturity and prioritization of their children’s well-being over personal conflicts or public image.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did Cardi B and Offset first meet?
A: Cardi B and Offset first met in 2016 at an industry event. Offset was immediately interested and pursued Cardi consistently, though she initially had reservations about his intentions. Their relationship gradually developed from there into a romantic connection.
Q: How many children do Cardi B and Offset have together?
A: Cardi B and Offset have three children together. Their first child, daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, was born on July 10, 2018. They later welcomed son Wave Set Cephus, and their youngest daughter, Blossom, was born in September 2024.
Q: When did Cardi B and Offset get married?
A: Cardi B and Offset secretly got married in 2017 in a private ceremony. The marriage wasn’t publicly known for some time, with many fans believing their public engagement came first. They celebrated their six-year wedding anniversary in September 2023.
Q: Why did Cardi B file for divorce from Offset?
A: Cardi B filed for divorce from Offset on August 1, 2024. According to court documents, the marriage was described as “irretrievably broken.” The filing came shortly before she announced her third pregnancy, adding complexity to their separation.
Q: Have Cardi B and Offset collaborated on music together?
A: Yes, Cardi B and Offset have released multiple songs together throughout their relationship. Their first collaboration was “Lick” in January 2017, followed by tracks including “Clout” in 2019 and “Jealousy” in July 2023, marking their fifth musical partnership.
Q: What was the infamous Rolling Loud Festival incident?
A: In December 2018, during their first major breakup, Offset interrupted Cardi B’s performance at the Rolling Loud Festival. He appeared onstage with an elaborate display of roses spelling “Take me back Cardi,” making a very public plea for reconciliation that divided public opinion.
Q: Are Cardi B and Offset currently together?
A: As of September 2025, Cardi B and Offset are not together romantically. They are going through divorce proceedings but remain committed to co-parenting their three children. They continue to attend family events together for their kids despite their separation.
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