All about OJ simpson's children: Former NFL star welcomed five children with two ex-wives

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: OJ Simpson had been a father of five children before he died of cancer on April 10, aged 76.

The former NFL player was surrounded by his children and grandchildren during his last moments, his family shared in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

The family wrote, "On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”

OJ welcomed three children with his first wife Marguerite Whitley - Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren. With his second wife Nicole Brown Simpson, the athlete-turned-actor shared two children - Sydney and Justin.

The Simpson family came under immense scrutiny after Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman were murdered outside the home of OJ in June 1994. Though he was initially detained for the double murders, after an 11-month-long trial, OJ was acquitted on both counts of murder in October 1995. 

Throughout his storeyed life, OJ received the support of some of his children who stayed beside the star in all important events of his life including the long trial for the murder of Nicole. 

Here’s all you need to know about OJ Simpson’s five children and where they are now. 

Arnelle Simpson, 55

OJ welcomed his eldest child - a daughter named Arnelle - on December 4, 1968, at the age of 21. Arnelle remained a lifelong supporter of her famous father including his 1994 trial where the NFL star was battling accusations regarding the murder of his wife.

Arnelle testified in court in 1994 and said her father had been “very upset, emotional, confused” when he was told about Nicole’s death. 

She also spoke out in support of her father during the July 2017 parole hearing of OJ. The athlete was previously convicted of a 2008 kidnapping and armed robbery. 

He was, nevertheless, granted parole in 2017 and released from prison in 2021.

During the 2017 parole hearing, Arnelle pleaded with the court for an early release of her father so they could all move forward. 

Calling her father her “best friend” and “rock,” Arnelle said per CBS, "As a family, we recognize he's not the perfect man, but as a man and a father he has done his best to behave in a way that speaks to his overall nature and character.”

According to NBC News, she added, “No one really knows how much we have been through, this ordeal, in the last nine years,” before continuing, “We just want him to come home so we can move forward for us, quietly.”

Jason Simpson, 53

OJ welcomed his second child with Whitley, a son named Jason, in 1970. Per the Los Angeles Times, as of 2016, Jason was working as a chef at an Atlanta restaurant St Cecilia.

However, Jason has often been by his father’s side during the noteworthy events of his life, per PEOPLE.

Jason was seen supporting OJ when he was getting inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in Rich Stadium in 1980. Just three months before Nicole’s death, as OJ attended the premiere of ‘Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult’ in March 1994, he was accompanied by Jason along with his other siblings.

Three months after the movie premiere, Jason hit the headlines following the actor’s infamous car chase. As the police were chasing his father, Jason came to the actor’s Brentwood home where he tried to speak to him.

Jason was later handcuffed by the police who ushered him inside the house. 

Aaren Simpson

OJ and Whitley’s third born was a daughter named Aaren, whom they welcomed in 1977. Aaren tragically died in 1977 by drowning in a pool, just one month before she turned two.

Sydney Brooke Simpson, 38

OJ Simpson and his second wife Nicole welcomed their first child together in October 1985 when their daughter Sydney Brooke Simpson was born. 

She lost her mother when she was only eight years old and was raised by her aunt and Nicole’s sister, Tanya Brown. She moved to Florida along with her younger brother in 2000, six years after Nicole’s demise. 

She has lived in relative anonymity since then. Per Page Six, after completing her education at Gulliver Academy, she obtained a degree in sociology from Boston University.

As of 2016, she was living in St Petersburg, Florida, and working in real estate. Per the Tampa Bay Times, Sydney owns multiple properties in Florida and oversees them. 

Justin Ryan Simpson, 35

In August 1988, OJ’s youngest child, Justin Ryan Simpson was born. He was only five year old when he lost his mother.

Like his sister Sydney, Justin works in real estate too and as of 2016, was employed by Coldwell Banker. Gushing about his city, St Petersburg, he told the Tampa Bay Times, "It's a great place to live, why not St. Pete? It’s gorgeous here.”

In a post made in February 2022, he announced the pregnancy of his partner, saying they were expecting a baby girl whom they named Lana.

The excited father-to-be wrote, “We are extremely excited, scared, nervous and in love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️,” and added, “In only a few short months we will be welcoming little Lana and can’t wait for you to meet her!”