How much is Mary J. Blige worth?
| Net Worth: | $15 Million |
|---|---|
| Profession: | Professional Singer |
| Date of Birth: | January 11, 1971 (age 52) |
| Country: | United States of America |
| Height: | 5 ft 8 in (1.75 m) |
About Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige began her career in 1991 and almost immediately rose to prominence with her debut album What’s the 411?. Throughout her three decade long career, Mary has released 14 studio albums. Often dubbed “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”, Mary J. Blige has found success in both acting and singing. She has been the recipient of twelve Billboard Music Awards, nine Grammy Awards, and four American Music Awards. Thanks to her acting skills, she has also received nominations for three Golden Globe and two Academy Awards.
The talented singer has sold 20 million only in the United States and over 100 million records worldwide. Since 1997, she has headlined ten worldwide tours. Blige personally asked Sean “Puffy” Combs and Mariah Carey to appear in her 1991 video for No More Drama.
She was born on January 11, 1971, in New York City to a Jazz musician and a nurse. Mary suffered sexual abuse and was molested at age 5, according to Billboard. After that, she later learned boxing in order to defend herself. However as it is with many people who have suffered assault there was a short period that she dealt with her depression with the use of alcohol and drug abuse.
In her early twenties, Mary grew an interest in becoming a musician. At the age of 20, she joined the Yonkers-based band “Pride”, which included Eddie D’Aprile as the drummer. After she sent her cover of “Caught Up in the Rapture” by Anita Baker to the Jeff Redd, the label’s A&R runner, and recording artist, she was eventually offered a recording deal with Uptown Records. She became the first female and youngest artist to sign with the company and began working as a backup vocalist to various artists such as Father MC.
Mary J. Blige started to become wealthy after she signed with Uptown Records. Soon, she began working with the record producer Puff Daddy, who became an executive producer and helped her produce the majority of her album. In July 1992, the singer released her debut studio album titled “What’s the 411?”.
The album was met with generally positive reviews and it included 11 songs, all in different genres. Besides hip hop soul, Mary also included songs in R&B and new jack swing. Upon its release, the album entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number 6 and topped the Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It also earned her first awards, two Soul Train Music Awards.
Her highly praised debut album soon became one of the most important records that came out in the 1990s. Continuing the momentum that she picked up, Mary went on to release her second album “My Life” in November 1994. The album includes 17 songs only in R&B. The project was just as successful as her first and it earned her first nomination for a Grammy Award in the category “Best R&B Album”.
The three-times platinum and two times gold-certified album is considered to be Blige’s breakthrough project. A few years after its release, “My Life” would continue to rack up accolades as it was ranked in multiple lists that highlight the greatest albums of all time.
She became so rich that by 2008, Mary J. Blige purchased a mansion for $12.3 million Saddle River, N.J., according to Forbes. An 18,000 square feet property with eight bedrooms and complete with basketball court and even a home movie theater. Her neighbors were the New Jersey Nets star Vince Carter and musicians Ja Rule and Wyclef Jean.
However by 2017, divorce documents revealed that despite earning $326,000 a month she was in debt to the US government for $6.5 million.
She made a recovery with “Strength of a Woman” album and tour.
Mary J. Blige found success in the late 1990s after she continued to release new music. After the release of her third album “Share My World”, Mary announce her first national tour. The “Share My World” began on September 2, 1997, in Memphis, Tennessee, and concluded in Cleveland, Ohio on May 3, 1998, after 27 shows. At the time her first tour had ended, Mary began working on her next album “Mary”, which was released in August 1999.
Towards the early 2000s, Mary J. Blige hit the peak of her career with the albums “No More Drama” from August 2001, “Dance For Me” from July 2002, and “Love and Life” from August 2003. In September 2005, she released her eminent hit “Be Without You”, which would become one of her most popular songs. It also earned her two Grammy Awards in the categories “Record” and “Song of the Year” at the 2007 event.
The hit single was a lead single from her seventh album “The Breakthrough”. Mary also won a third Grammy award for “Best R&B Album” thanks to her project. Simultaneously with releasing her own projects, Mary J. Blige collaborated with many established names in the music industry that additionally helped her gain recognition and become even more successful. Among some of her most notable collaborations of all time are with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Sting, and U2.
Even now, the singer-songwriter continues to build her legacy. Her most latest album is 2017’s “Strength of a Woman”, which just like every other was met with positive reviews.
Towards the end of the 2010s, she focused more on her acting career, however, she did release the single “Thriving” featuring Nas, which serves as the lead single of her upcoming fourteenth studio album.
Outside of music, the multi-talented singer is also noted for her fantastic acting skills. She made her film debut in the 2001 prison film “Prison Song”, where she portrayed the main role of Mrs. Butler. A few years later, she starred in the 2017 historical drama “Mudbound”, which would be a total hit. The movie was nominated for tens of different awards and earned the actress her first nominations for an Academy and Golden Globe Awards.
Besides films, she also took part in multiple television shows and reality series such as “New York Undercover”, Ghost Whisperer”, “American Idol”, and “The X Factor”.
Summing-Up
Thanks to her influence and triumph in the music industry, she is frequently included in many lists that highlight the most successful artists and the greatest women in music today.
Mary J. Blige is one of the most distinguished hip hop soul and R&B artists of all time. Ever since her debut in the entertainment world, she has immensely found success. Whether it’s her strong vocals, soulful ballads or exciting dance tunes, this superstar is one of the greatest artists and singers of her generation.
