O.J. Simpson Children Today: What to Know About Arnelle, Jason, Sydney and Justin
O.J. Simpson was one of the most recognizable figures in American sports and entertainment, but his family life became deeply complicated after the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.
Simpson was a father of five children during his lifetime. He shared three children, Arnelle, Jason and Aaren, with his first wife, Marguerite Whitley. He later had two children, Sydney and Justin, with Nicole Brown Simpson.
The lives of his children changed dramatically after Nicole’s death. They grew up under intense public attention while also dealing with a deeply painful family tragedy.
In the years since, several of Simpson’s children have chosen to maintain private lives away from the media. Sydney and Justin, in particular, have built careers and families of their own while largely staying out of the spotlight.
O.J. Simpson died on April 10, 2024, at age 76 after battling metastatic prostate cancer. His family said he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the time of his death.
Here is what is known about Simpson’s children and where their lives took them.
Who Is Arnelle Simpson?
Arnelle Simpson is O.J. Simpson’s oldest child.
She was born on Dec. 4, 1968, to Simpson and his first wife, Marguerite Whitley.
Arnelle was already an adult when the events surrounding Nicole Brown Simpson’s murder became international news, and she became one of the family members who publicly supported her father during difficult periods.
She testified during Simpson’s 1994 murder trial and described his emotional reaction after learning that Nicole had been killed.
Years later, Arnelle continued to stand by her father.
During Simpson’s 2017 parole hearing related to his conviction for an armed robbery in Las Vegas, Arnelle spoke on his behalf. She asked for his release and talked about wanting the family to move forward.
Arnelle described her father as someone who had always been important in her life.
She has generally maintained a relatively private life outside of those public appearances.
Who Is Jason Simpson?
Jason Simpson is O.J. and Marguerite’s second child.
He was born in 1970 and grew up during his father’s rise as a football star and celebrity.
Jason was present for several important moments in his father’s career. He attended events connected to Simpson’s football accomplishments and also appeared with the family at the premiere of Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994.
That appearance happened only a few months before Nicole Brown Simpson was killed.
Like the rest of the family, Jason’s life changed after the murders and the highly publicized trial.
He largely stayed away from the spotlight in the years that followed.
A 2016 report described Jason as living in Atlanta and working as a chef at a restaurant called St. Cecilia.
Unlike his father, Jason has not pursued a public career in entertainment or sports.
What Happened to Aaren Simpson?
Aaren Simpson was O.J. Simpson and Marguerite Whitley’s youngest child together.
She was born in 1977.
Tragically, Aaren died before her second birthday after drowning in the family’s swimming pool.
Her death was a devastating loss for the Simpson family.
Aaren’s story has received far less public attention than the later events involving the family, partly because she was so young when she died.
O.J. Simpson rarely spoke publicly about the tragedy, and details about Aaren’s short life remain limited.
She is still remembered as one of Simpson’s five children.
Who Is Sydney Simpson?
Sydney Simpson is O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson’s oldest child.
She was born on Oct. 17, 1985, and was just eight years old when her mother was murdered in 1994.
Sydney and her younger brother Justin were raised with significant support from members of Nicole’s family following their mother’s death.
Their childhood was inevitably shaped by the massive attention surrounding their parents and the criminal investigation that followed Nicole’s death.
As they became adults, however, both siblings made a clear effort to build lives away from the media.
Sydney attended Boston University and graduated in 2010 with a degree in sociology.
She later moved to Florida and became involved in real estate.
A 2016 report described her as owning and managing several properties in the St. Petersburg area.
Sydney has generally kept her personal life private. According to her aunt Dominique Brown, Sydney and Justin preferred to live quietly and focus on raising their own families.
Who Is Justin Simpson?
Justin Simpson is O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson’s youngest child.
He was born on Aug. 6, 1988.
Justin was only five years old when his mother was murdered.
Like Sydney, he spent much of his childhood away from the public eye after the tragedy.
The support of extended family and close family friends became important during those years. David Brobeck, who was Justin’s godfather, later said that Justin and Sydney received considerable love and support while growing up.
As an adult, Justin established a career in real estate.
He was working as a real estate agent in St. Petersburg, Florida, and spoke positively about the area and its lifestyle.
Justin has also become a father himself.
In 2022, he announced that he and his partner were expecting a baby girl. They named their daughter Lana.
The arrival of his daughter marked another generation of the family growing up outside the intense media attention that surrounded the Simpson case.
Where Are Sydney and Justin Now?
Sydney and Justin have largely chosen a private life.
After moving to Florida as young adults, the siblings established roots in the St. Petersburg area and built careers in real estate.
Their decision to remain relatively private is understandable given the circumstances of their childhood.
They lost their mother at very young ages and then watched their family become the center of one of the most widely covered criminal cases in American history.
In 2024, their aunt Dominique Brown said the siblings preferred to stay low-key and focus on raising their families.
Their godfather also said that both had grown up and created families of their own.
What Happened to O.J. Simpson?
O.J. Simpson died on April 10, 2024, at age 76.
His family announced that he had died after battling metastatic prostate cancer.
According to the statement released by his family, Simpson was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
His death brought renewed attention to the complicated history of the Simpson family, including the lives of the children he left behind.
For Sydney and Justin especially, the loss of their father came after decades of living with the consequences of losing their mother when they were still children.
A Family That Has Lived Through Extraordinary Attention
The lives of O.J. Simpson’s children have been shaped by circumstances few families experience.
Arnelle and Jason were old enough to understand much of the public attention surrounding their father and his career. Sydney and Justin were still very young when their mother was murdered and subsequently grew up while the case dominated headlines.
Aaren’s life was tragically short, with her death occurring years before the events that would make the Simpson family one of the most discussed families in America.
Despite their different experiences, Simpson’s children have generally tried to create lives separate from their father’s celebrity and legal history.
Arnelle has occasionally spoken publicly in support of her father, while Jason has largely remained private. Sydney and Justin have built careers in Florida and focused on their own families.
Their stories show how differently family members can respond to years of intense public attention.
Today, much of the focus surrounding the Simpson family remains tied to the events of the 1990s. But for his children, life has continued beyond those headlines.
They have built careers, relationships and families of their own, while carrying the memories of a complicated family history that has followed them for much of their lives.
