Toni Braxton: The Story Of A Resilient Star

What’s Toni Braxton’s Net Worth?

Toni Braxton, the legendary American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, and television personality, boasts a net worth of $10 million. Known as one of the best-selling female R&B artists in history, she has sold over 67 million records worldwide. Her journey in the music industry began in the late '80s, but her true breakout moment came in the early '90s when she caught the attention of music moguls Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. They signed her to LaFace Records, where she released her self-titled debut album in 1993. Hits like "Another Sad Love Song" and "Breathe Again" propelled her to stardom, making her a household name.

Throughout her career, Toni Braxton has consistently delivered critically and commercially successful albums. Her second album, "Secrets" (1996), became her most successful project, featuring timeless tracks like "Un-Break My Heart" and "You're Makin' Me High." The former, written by Diane Warren, became one of the best-selling singles of all time, solidifying Braxton's status as a global superstar. Her ability to blend soulful R&B with mainstream pop has allowed her to captivate a diverse audience across the globe.

Despite her incredible success, Braxton hasn't been immune to challenges. She's faced financial difficulties, including two bankruptcies, and health issues, including a public battle with lupus. Yet, she's remained resilient, using her platform to raise awareness for the disease. Beyond music, she's ventured into acting, reality television, and philanthropy. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, cementing her legacy as one of the most powerful voices in music.

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Toni Braxton's Battle with Bankruptcy and Money Issues

Even with her massive success, Toni Braxton hasn't been spared from financial struggles. In 1998, she filed for bankruptcy, citing a staggering $5 million in debt. Despite this setback, her career showed signs of recovery after the release of her hit album The Heat in 2000, which sold over two million copies. Unfortunately, her financial woes weren't over. In October 2010, she was forced to file for bankruptcy again, this time owing up to $50 million.

Her creditors included major names like the IRS, Tiffany & Co., AT&T, and Neiman Marcus. Shockingly, she reportedly spent $2.5 million on makeup, clothing, and hair in just under two years. As part of her bankruptcy proceedings, Toni lost the rights to 27 of her most famous songs, including "You're Making Me High," "Always," and "How Many Ways." This means she no longer receives significant royalties from the sales of her own music. Additionally, her biggest hit, "Un-Break My Heart," doesn't earn her much in royalties because it was written by Diane Warren.

Despite these challenges, Braxton has remained a popular live act, particularly overseas. She earns between $750,000 and $1 million annually from live performances and appearances, including her reality show, Braxton Family Values. Fortunately, a bankruptcy court eventually wiped away a significant portion of her debt, giving her a fresh start. With determination and resilience, Toni has worked hard to keep her finances in check.

Her Early Days: Growing Up in a Musical Family

Toni Michelle Braxton was born on October 7, 1967, in Severn, Maryland. Raised in a religious and musical household, her parents, Michael and Evelyn Braxton, were deeply involved in their local Methodist church. Her father worked at the power company, while her mother, a former opera singer, worked in a beauty salon. Toni's maternal grandfather was also a pastor, instilling a strong spiritual foundation in the family.

As the oldest of six siblings, Toni grew up surrounded by music. Her brothers and sisters—Michael, Traci, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar—would later join her in the music industry. Her first taste of performing came in her church choir, where her talent was immediately recognized. Toni initially enrolled at Bowie State University in Maryland with aspirations of becoming a teacher. However, her life took a dramatic turn when composer and producer William Pettaway Jr. overheard her singing while pumping gas. Impressed, Pettaway encouraged her to pursue a career in music, and the rest, as they say, is history.

A Career Built on Hits and Hardship

In the late '80s, Toni Braxton and her sisters formed The Braxtons, signing a deal with Arista Records in 1989. Their debut single, "Good Life," didn't gain much traction on the radio but caught the attention of producers Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. They invited Toni to record a demo of "Love Shoulda Brought You Home," originally intended for Anita Baker. Baker graciously stepped aside, allowing Braxton to record it for the "Boomerang" soundtrack. The song's inclusion, along with a duet with Babyface, marked the beginning of her solo career.

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Toni's self-titled debut album, released in July 1993, became an instant success, reaching number one on the albums chart. The lead single, "Another Sad Love Song," made history as the first number-one song on the newly established Adult R&B charts. Her debut album produced five singles and earned her three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and two consecutive awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

In 1996, Braxton released her second album, "Secrets," which remains her most successful project to date. The lead single, "You're Makin' Me High," became her first number-one hit on the Hot 100 charts. The follow-up single, "Un-Break My Heart," co-written by Diane Warren, became the biggest hit of her career, spending 11 weeks at the top of the Hot Dance Singles chart. Despite health issues and contract disputes, Braxton continued to release albums, including "More Than a Woman" (2002), "Libra" (2005), and "Pulse" (2010).

In 2014, Toni and Babyface released "Love, Marriage, & Divorce," which won them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Her ninth album, "Sex & Cigarettes," was released in 2018. Beyond music, Braxton has explored Broadway, starring as Belle in "Beauty and the Beast," where she introduced a new song, "A Change in Me." She also found success in reality TV with "Braxton Family Values" and "Tamar and Vince," featuring her youngest sister.

In 2006, Braxton became a headliner at the Flamingo Las Vegas with "Toni Braxton: Revealed," performing six nights a week. The show was so popular that her residency was extended through August 2008. However, health concerns forced her to cancel the later dates after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

Her Personal Life: Love, Family, and Advocacy

Toni Braxton met musician Keri Lewis when his group, Mint Condition, opened for her on tour. They married in 2001, and that same year, she gave birth to their son, Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis. In 2002, she became pregnant with their second child but was placed on bed rest due to complications. Their second son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis, was born in March 2003. Diezel, who is autistic, inspired Toni to become involved with Autism Speaks as their International Spokesperson. Braxton and Lewis divorced in 2013.

Later, Toni began dating rapper Birdman in 2016. The couple announced their engagement in 2018 but later called it off in 2019. Despite the split, they confirmed they were still together in April 2019.

Facing Health Challenges with Courage

In 2007, rumors swirled that Braxton had been diagnosed with breast cancer, which she denied. In 2008, she had a benign lump removed from her breast. That same year, she was briefly hospitalized, forcing her to cancel the remaining dates of her Las Vegas residency. While competing on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2010, she revealed she had been diagnosed with microvascular angina (small vessel disease).

On November 18, 2010, Braxton shared with CBS News that she had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease. Despite these health challenges, she has remained open about her struggles, using her platform to raise awareness and inspire others.

Her Real Estate Ventures: A Home in Calabasas

In the fall of 2014, Toni Braxton purchased a 5,323-square-foot home in The Oaks neighborhood of Calabasas, California, for $2.9 million. Built in 2006, the four-bedroom home with en-suite bathrooms was considered an "affordable" option for someone moving into this prestigious neighborhood. She later sold the property in 2016 for $3.4 million, marking a profitable real estate investment.