The tabloids and top news articles may have never covered Kari Hillsman’s life, but her biography is one filled with quiet heroism, relentless vigor, and grace. She first became a personality in the ’90s as the girlfriend of Rick Fox, who is an NBA player. Now, together, they have a son, Kyle Fox, who has turned out to be a strapping young lad with a career in esports and content creation.
Most people talk about Kari in the context of Rick Fox, but there is so, so much more to Hillsman that deserves recognition. In this article, we cover the details of her life.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Kari Hillsman was born on 16th January 1971 in Massachusetts. Hillsman is a well-educated woman who comes from a family of great morals and attributes. Her father, AC Hillsman Jr., is a retired military serviceman who died of cancer in the year 2003.
Her mother, on the other hand, Mary Hillsman, is a nurse and has worked selflessly at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center.
Kari and her sister, Elan Hillsman Townsend, shared a childhood that was rooted in family, service, and self-discipline. These traits shaped the life of Kari as a mother and as a professional.
Education and Meeting Rick Fox
Kari attended a local public high school in Massachusetts before enrolling at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. It was during her university years that she met Rick Fox, a rising star in college basketball who would soon go on to play in the NBA.
Their relationship blossomed in the early 1990s when Rick was recruited by the Boston Celtics. Although the couple never married, their relationship became the talk of sports and entertainment circles, especially after the birth of their son.
Career and Professional Life
Kari Hillsman is reported to have worked as a certified residential manager. While she has mostly kept details about her career out of the public eye, it’s evident that she maintained a consistent and stable professional path.
Her role as a residential manager involved overseeing residential buildings, ensuring the safety and comfort of tenants, and handling day-to-day administrative and maintenance tasks.
Kari’s steady career and strong sense of responsibility allowed her to raise her son in a supportive and nurturing environment — even while his father, Rick Fox, pursued a high-profile career in basketball and acting.
Relationship with Rick Fox
Kari Hillsman and Rick Fox were in a committed relationship during the early to mid-1990s. Though they never tied the knot, they were partners in both life and parenthood for a significant period. In 1994, the couple welcomed their son, Kyle Alexander Fox.
Rick Fox went on to achieve fame as a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics and later the Los Angeles Lakers, winning three NBA championships. After retiring from the NBA, Rick transitioned into acting, appearing in television shows and movies.
Despite their eventual split, Kari and Rick maintained an amicable relationship centered around co-parenting Kyle. In interviews, Rick has spoken respectfully about Kari and her pivotal role in raising their son.
Personal Life and Family
Following her split from Rick Fox, Kari opted for a more private life. Unlike many who find themselves in the public eye due to a high-profile relationship, she didn’t pursue fame or media appearances.
In later years, Kari is believed to have married Henry Francillon, a man known for his community involvement, especially in youth soccer programs in Massachusetts. Together, they have two children: Kayla Augustine Francillon (born 2005) and Kaden Thierry Francillon (born 2006). The family resides in Medford, Massachusetts, where Kari continues to prioritize home life and family.
Kyle Fox: A Son Following His Path
Kari’s eldest son, Kyle Fox, born October 13, 1994, is a young man with an impressive resume in the world of digital media and esports.
He once served as the community manager for Echo Fox, an esports organization founded by Rick Fox. Echo Fox competed in various games like League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., and more, making a name in the competitive gaming scene.
Kyle Fox has often been praised for his maturity, and he shares a close bond with both his mother and father. In public appearances with Rick, he’s spoken highly of Kari, acknowledging the sacrifices she made in raising him.
Social Media Presence
While Kari Hillsman herself does not maintain public social media profiles, her former partner and son have varying degrees of online visibility.
Rick maintains an active presence on Twitter/X @RickFox, where he shares sports commentary, life advice, and esports content with over 241.3K followers.
His Instagram account @imrickafox features a mix of family photos, motivational quotes, and moments from his professional life. Rick often posts about his children, including Kyle, showing affection and pride in his fatherly role.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
The estimate of Hillsman’s net worth stands at around $100,000. This estimation stems from her career in residential property management and likely some other less public industry, like real estate, she may have dabbled in. In stark contrast with her former partner Rick Fox, who has a multimillionaire net worth from NBA and acting endorsements, Kari’s lifestyle is much more modest.
Together with her husband and children, she lives comfortably in Massachusetts, where she is considered to take an active role in her community and even in her children’s schooling.
Final Words
Though not a celebrity in a traditional sense, it is evident that Kari Hillsman lives her life with values that are increasingly less frequent in the public sphere, such as dignity, commitment to family, and, of course, quiet inner strength. From her former self as Rick Fox’s partner to now being a mother of three, Hillsman is nothing short of graceful. A dedicated mother, she has nurtured her son Kyle Fox, who now stands in the spotlight as a devoted son.
