Who Is Abdela Kharbouch? A Deep Look Into the Life of the Father of French Montana

Personal Details of Abdela Kharbouch

Early Life in Morocco

Abdela Kharbouch was born around 1955 in Casablanca, one of Morocco’s largest and most historic cities. Although Casablanca has always been known for its bright streets, busy markets, and strong sense of community, Abdela actually grew up in a much smaller and quieter village. This small village had only about ten houses and one mosque that brought the community together each day. Growing up in such a peaceful place gave him a simple but powerful foundation built on family, faith, and hard work.

Life in Morocco at that time was centered around close relationships, where everyone in the neighborhood knew one another and helped whenever needed. These early values shaped Abdela’s character and the way he viewed responsibility, family, and tradition. The culture around him was rich with Moroccan customs, language, and religion, all of which would later influence his children as well, even after the family moved to the United States.

Family Background and Cultural Identity

Morocco’s culture has always played an important role in the lives of the Kharbouch family. As a Sunni Muslim household, Abdela grew up with daily prayer, religious traditions, and a strong awareness of community responsibility. These cultural values influenced the way he raised his children during their early years in Morocco. His belief in hard work, respect, and cultural pride became part of the family identity.

Later, these values would show clearly in French Montana’s music, his interviews, and the way he speaks about his background. Even though Abdela eventually became physically distant from his children, the foundation he gave them stayed with them, especially the sense of belonging to Moroccan culture and the importance of honoring faith and tradition.

Migration to the United States

In the mid-1990s, Abdela made a life-changing decision that many families around the world still make today: he moved his family from Morocco to the United States in hopes of better opportunities. At the time, his oldest son, Karim—who later became French Montana—was around 13 years old. Like many immigrants, Abdela believed the U.S. would offer better education, better jobs, and a brighter future for his family. The Kharbouch family settled in the South Bronx, an area known for its diversity, energy, and also its struggles.

Life in America was far more difficult than expected. The cost of living was high, jobs were not easy to secure, and adapting to a completely new environment brought emotional stress to the whole family. The language barrier was one of the biggest challenges, making everyday tasks harder and reducing job opportunities. Even though Abdela tried several types of work and carried the responsibility of providing for a family in a new world, the pressure continued to grow. What was supposed to be a hopeful new chapter slowly became a heavy burden, especially for a man trying to support his wife and three young children.

Career and Professional Life

Before moving to the United States, Abdela worked in the jewelry business in Morocco. This kind of business requires skill, strong communication, and community trust. It was a trade where he felt confident and capable. But when he moved to America, maintaining that same kind of business became extremely difficult. Without the same customer base, local connections, or financial stability, he could not continue the jewelry work in the same way. The limited public information about Abdela’s career in the U.S. only shows how hard he tried to make ends meet, taking different jobs wherever possible.

However, the stress of trying to succeed in a new country without any real support or security became overwhelming. This professional pressure was one of the key reasons why he struggled during his time in the United States. After returning to Morocco, he continued to live a private and quiet life, and little is known about whether he continued working in the jewelry business or moved into different types of work. His need for privacy suggests that he preferred to keep his later career details away from public attention, even as his son became a world-famous figure.

Family Life, Marriage, and Separation

Abdela was married to Khadija Guled, the mother of his three sons: Karim (French Montana), Zack, and Ayoub. Together, they dreamed of a better life in the United States, hoping that their children would grow up with more opportunities. But the daily reality of life in the Bronx was much harder than expected. Jobs were unstable, the language barrier made everything more difficult, and the emotional stress began to affect the entire family. Over time, the pressure took a toll on Abdela and Khadija’s marriage.

Their relationship faced many challenges, and they eventually separated in 1998. When Abdela decided to return to Morocco to restart his life and continue his work, Khadija chose to stay in New York with their children. This decision changed the family forever. Khadija became a single mother raising three boys in a tough neighborhood with limited financial support. Their son Karim had to grow up fast, translating for his mother, helping with finances, and stepping into adult responsibilities while still being a teenager. The separation left emotional marks on everyone, but it also taught the family about strength, survival, and independence.

Who Is Khadija Guled?

The Difficult Decision to Return to Morocco

After nearly two years in the United States, Abdela reached a breaking point. The financial and emotional pressure of trying to build a life in a new country became too heavy. He believed returning to Morocco would allow him to restart his jewelry business and regain stability. He even suggested that his eldest son could return with him, but Khadija refused because she wanted the children to grow up with better opportunities. This disagreement created a final divide, and Abdela eventually left alone.

His departure hurt the family deeply, especially Karim, who felt abandoned during an already difficult time. The absence of a father in a place like the Bronx meant facing dangers and real-life struggles without guidance. Even though Abdela made the decision based on his own struggles and limitations, the emotional consequences stayed with his children for many years. In this way, his choice shows the painful decisions many immigrant fathers make when they cannot carry the weight of providing in a new country.

Impact of Abdela’s Departure on His Children

The absence of a father figure had a strong effect on all three of Abdela’s sons. For Karim, who was already adjusting to life in a tough neighborhood, the pressure increased dramatically. He soon became the main provider for the family, helping his mother while also trying to survive in the Bronx. These responsibilities forced him into adulthood earlier than most children his age. French Montana has spoken in interviews about feeling hurt and confused by his father’s departure. Yet this pain also fueled his ambition.

Music became his escape—a way to express the struggles he faced growing up without a father present. Zack and Ayoub also grew up with the emotional challenges of not knowing their father, with Ayoub being so young that he did not even remember his father before the reunion many years later. Even though the absence caused emotional wounds, it also created a strong bond between the brothers and their mother, shaping the path that eventually led to French Montana’s success.

French Montana’s Rise and Abdela’s Indirect Influence

Even though Abdela was not present during most of French Montana’s teenage years and rise to fame, his cultural influence remained strong. Karim’s Moroccan identity became a core part of his music, his style, and his public image. From celebrating Ramadan to speaking proudly about being Moroccan, French Montana always kept his roots close.

He often talked about how his early years in Morocco shaped who he became, giving credit to the foundation built during the time when his father was still part of his life. This cultural pride helped French Montana stand out in the rap world, where authenticity and identity matter greatly. While Abdela did not guide his musical journey directly, the values, traditions, and early memories he passed down played a role in shaping the artist his son became.

The Emotional Father–Son Reunion

Years after Abdela’s departure, fate brought father and son together again in Morocco. This reunion happened during one of French Montana’s visits for a concert. It was an emotional moment filled with a mix of forgiveness, curiosity, and healing. Karim gifted his father $10,000 in cash, not as a display of wealth, but as a symbol of compassion and closure. Ayoub, who had been only a baby when Abdela left, met his father for the first time.

This powerful moment was recorded in the documentary For Khadija, which honors their mother’s sacrifices and also shows the complexity of their family story. The reunion helped bridge years of distance, allowing them to rebuild their relationship slowly and respectfully.

Relationship With His Children Today

Today, Abdela’s relationship with his sons is much calmer and more understanding. Although the past cannot be changed, the family has found a way to move forward. French Montana, now a father himself, often says he understands how overwhelming immigrant life can be.

This personal growth helped him view his father with more compassion rather than anger. While they are not constantly in the public eye together, there is mutual respect and emotional peace between them. Zack and Ayoub also maintain their connection with their father in their own ways. The bond between the brothers remains strong, built through shared struggles, support, and the love they developed while growing up without their father present.

Life in Morocco Today

Abdela lives a quiet and peaceful life in Morocco, far away from cameras and public attention. Now around 69 or 70 years old, he prefers privacy and simplicity. He practices his faith, stays close to his Moroccan community, and continues to live according to the traditions he grew up with. Even though his son is internationally famous, Abdela remains almost completely unrecognized by the public, and he seems content with this. His choice to live privately shows that he values peace much more than fame, and it highlights the difference between his life path and that of his son.

Public Curiosity and Interest in His Story

People became interested in Abdela largely because of French Montana’s success. Fans wanted to understand the family history behind the artist, and Abdela’s life became a meaningful part of that story. His journey speaks to many universal themes—immigration, separation, sacrifice, and forgiveness—which makes his story relatable even to those who do not know much about Moroccan culture or about French Montana’s music. The mystery surrounding his life also adds to public curiosity, since he rarely appears in interviews, photos, or public events. In many ways, his silence makes his story even more interesting.

Legacy and Influence

Abdela’s legacy is not defined by fame or public accomplishments. Instead, it lives through his children—through their success, their cultural pride, their strength, and the lessons they carried forward. His story represents the emotional complexity of immigrant families who face real-life challenges that are rarely talked about openly.

Even though his decisions caused pain, they also taught resilience and independence. His cultural influence remains visible in the way French Montana honors his Moroccan roots and in the bond shared between the brothers. In this sense, Abdela’s legacy is woven into his children’s achievements and the values they carry.

Conclusion

The story of Abdela Kharbouch is a powerful and emotional journey that reflects the realities of many immigrant families. His life includes moments of hope, hardship, separation, and later reconciliation. While he may never step into the spotlight himself, his influence can be felt through the life and career of French Montana, whose success carries the imprint of both Moroccan culture and the struggles of growing up without a father present.

Abdela’s life is a reminder that behind every famous person is a complicated family history filled with challenges, sacrifices, and love. His legacy continues quietly, shaped by the strength and achievements of his children and the cultural identity he helped instill in them.

FAQs About Abdela Kharbouch

1. Who is Abdela Kharbouch?

Abdela Kharbouch is the father of rapper French Montana. He was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and is known for living a private and quiet life away from public attention.

2. Why is Abdela Kharbouch well known?

He became known mainly because of his son, French Montana’s worldwide success. People began to take an interest in Abdela’s life story and his role in the family.

3. Where does Abdela Kharbouch live now?

Abdela currently lives in Morocco, where he prefers a peaceful and private lifestyle.

4. Why did Abdela Kharbouch return to Morocco?

He returned after struggling with life in the United States. Financial pressure, emotional stress, and difficulty adjusting to a new country led him to go back to Morocco.

5. How many children does Abdela Kharbouch have?

He has three sons: Karim (French Montana), Zack, and Ayoub. All three share a close bond, even though they grew up with many challenges.

6. Does Abdela Kharbouch have a relationship with French Montana now?

Yes, they rebuilt their relationship after reuniting in Morocco years later. Their emotional reunion was part of the documentary “For Khadija.”

7. What did Abdela Kharbouch do for work?

He worked in the jewelry business in Morocco before moving to the United States. Later in life, he kept his professional details private.