The untold story of Kari Hillsman: Rick Fox's ex-partner and Kyle Fox's mother
Kari Hillsman and Rick Fox dated during his time with the NBA's Boston Celtics. The mother of his only son, she has largely stayed away from the spotlight despite his popularity. Did Kari Hillsman find love again after her split from Rick Fox? Where is she now?
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Rick Fox and Kari Hillsman were college sweethearts.
- Their relationship purportedly ended in the late '90s, a few years after the birth of their son, Kyle Fox.
- After Kari and Rick's split, he eloped with Miss America Vanessa Williams, while she married golf enthusiast Henry Francillon.
- Due to Hillsman's preference for a private lifestyle, little information about her personal and professional life is publicly available.
Kari Hillsman's profile summary
| Full name | Kari Hillsman |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 16 January 1971 (Reportedly) |
| Age | 54 years old (2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Birthplace | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Henry Francillon |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Residential manager |
| Social media | InstagramFacebook |
Kari Hillsman's early life: Exploring her Massachusetts roots
Several sources report that Kari was born to African American Ac Hillsman Jr. and White Mary Hillsman. He served in the army, while she worked as a nurse at the Massachusetts Mental Health Centre. Sadly, Kari's dad passed away due to cancer in 2003.
Source: Original
Love and life with Rick Fox
Kari Hillsman and Rick Fox reportedly started dating even before he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1991.
The pair welcomed their son, Kyle Fox, on 13 October 1994, and purportedly ended their relationship about three years later. In 2017, Rick posted a throwback photo of Kyle and him on Instagram to celebrate his special day. He wrote:
Happy birthday, my son! You came into my life and gave me a reason to live. I am proud to be your dad.
Rick and Kyle Fox had a strained relationship: Are they close now?
In December 2018, Rick told the Washington Post that he was barely home when Kyle was a child due to his demanding NBA career.
Source: UGC
He also dabbled in acting during the offseason, which meant he spent less time with his boy. It was not until Kyle moved to Los Angeles for college that the pair started building their relationship. Rick told the news outlet:
My son is a video game designer. We bonded over what he loves doing, gaming.
The former basketball player also shared that he bought an eSports team for $1 million to support his son's gaming career.
As a parent, you need to understand your kids. Otherwise, you will be late to the party.
A second chance at love: Insights into Kari's decades-long marriage
Hillsman purportedly married soccer fanatic Henry Francillon on 17 December 2003. They welcomed their first child, Kayla, in 2005.
She played soccer on the junior varsity team of Malden Catholic High School. Likewise, their son, Kaden Thierry, trained with the Juventus Academy Boston, shares a passion for soccer.
Source: Facebook
Rick Fox married Vanessa Williams after his split from Kari Hillsman
Tyra Banks, his then-girlfriend, introduced Rick to model, singer, and actress Vanessa Williams. In 1999, the duo eloped but had another ceremony in September of the same year.
Williams and Fox welcomed their daughter, Sasha Gabriella, in May 2000. In August 2004, he filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Later, Vanessa revealed that his high-profile NBA career and her being six years older than him had strained their marriage. Their split was amicable as they co-starred in the TV show Ugly Betty.
Fox has been in several high-profile relationships: His dating history
Rick dated Buffy the Vampire Slayer actress Eliza Dushku from October 2009 to June 2014. Although Fox is allegedly currently single, he has been romantically linked to multiple A-listers. According to Ranker, they include Kristin Davis, Sharon Stone, Mariah Carey and AnnaLynne McCord.
Rick is a multimillionaire: A look at his illustrious sporting and acting career
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Fox has an estimated net worth of $20 million. A three-time NBA champion, he inked lucrative sports contracts with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Source: UGC
Rick previously owned the Echo Fox eSports franchise. He has also starred in several films, including:
- The Big Bang Theory
- One Tree Hill
- Meet the Browns
- Melrose Place
- Morning Show Mysteries
- Greenleaf
Wrapping up
Kari Hillsman is widely recognised as Rick Fox's ex-partner and the mother of his only son, Kyle Fox. After their split, she married and has two other kids (Kaden and Kayla) from the union.
READ MORE: Who is Bobby Flay's ex-girlfriend, Christina Pérez? Why they split up
Briefly.co.za shared all you need to know about Christina Pérez. She is an American freelance writer widely recognised for her work with multiple magazines, including Vogue, InStyle, Refinery29 and Domino.
Pérez and Flay were introduced by a friend about a year before they stepped out publicly at the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships. However, in June 2024, she hinted they had broken in an edition of her newsletter, A Friend Indeed.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
