Toni Braxton Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Toni Braxton’s net worth?

With a net worth estimated at $10 million, Toni Braxton is a talented American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, television personality, and philanthropist. Recognized as one of the best-selling female R&B artists ever, she has sold over 67 million records globally to this date.

Her rise to fame began in the late 1980s when she and her sisters established The Braxtons. In the early ’90s, producers Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds took notice of her and she subsequently signed with LaFace Records. The release of her self-titled debut album in 1993 marked a significant breakthrough, thanks to hit singles like “Another Sad Love Song” and “Breathe Again.” This album not only highlighted Braxton’s incredible vocal talent but also marked her as a major player in the music scene.

Braxton went on to produce more albums that garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, such as “Secrets” (1996), which included memorable songs like “Un-Break My Heart” and “You’re Makin’ Me High.” Notably, “Un-Break My Heart” became one of the best-selling singles in history, securing her position as a worldwide music icon. Her unique fusion of soulful R&B and popular music enabled her to appeal to a wide audience.

However, her journey has not been without its hurdles. Braxton has encountered financial struggles and health setbacks, including a very public battle with lupus, which she has used to educate others about the condition. In spite of these challenges, she has persistently produced music, toured extensively, and branched into acting and reality TV, featuring in programs such as “Braxton Family Values” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Braxton’s career has earned her numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards, affirming her status as a significant and enduring voice in the music industry.

Toni Braxton Bankruptcy and Money Issues

Despite her considerable commercial achievements, Toni has faced recurring financial difficulties. Her initial bankruptcy filing occurred in 1998, with debts amounting to $5 million. Following the success of her 2000 album The Heat, which sold over two million copies, her financial predicament showed signs of improvement. Unfortunately, she had to file for bankruptcy again in October 2010, declaring debts as high as $50 million.

Her creditors included a diverse array of entities, such as the IRS, Tiffany & Co, AT&T, and Neiman Marcus, among others. Reports indicate that she spent $2.5 million on makeup, clothing, and hair within just under two years. In July 2013, as part of her ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, she lost the rights to 27 of her most popular songs, including “You’re Making Me High,” “Always,” and “How Many Ways,” meaning she can no longer earn the majority of royalties from her music sales.

Furthermore, Toni does not receive substantial royalties from her biggest hit, “Un-Break My Heart,” as it was penned by Diane Warren. On a positive note, Braxton remains a highly sought-after live performer, especially internationally, earning between $750,000 and $1 million annually from live performances and personal appearances, including her reality show, Braxton Family Values. Eventually, a bankruptcy court alleviated a significant portion of her debt, providing hope that Toni will maintain better financial health in the future.

Early Life

On October 7, 1967, Toni Michelle Braxton came into the world in Severn, Maryland. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in religion and music, her parents, Michael and Evelyn, served in their local Methodist church as a clergyman and pastor. Additionally, her father was employed at the power company, while her mother, a former opera singer, worked in a beauty salon. Toni’s maternal grandfather was also a pastor. As the eldest of six siblings, she has one brother (Michael, 1968) and four younger sisters (Traci 1971, Towanda 1973, Trina 1974, and Tamar 1977). Her first foray into singing was with the church choir. Though she initially enrolled at Bowie State University in Maryland aiming to become a teacher, a chance encounter with composer and producer William Pettaway Jr. while she was pumping gas led to him encouraging her to pursue a career in singing.

Career

In 1989, Braxton and her sisters, formerly known as The Braxtons, signed with Arista Records. Their debut single, “Good Life,” was released in 1990. Although the track did not achieve significant radio play, it captured the interest of producers Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. They invited Toni to create a demo tape for “Love Shoulda Brought You Home,” a song meant for Anita Baker for the soundtrack of the Eddie Murphy film “Boomerang.” Ultimately, Baker recommended that Braxton perform the song instead. Braxton’s rendition made it onto the final soundtrack alongside a duet featuring Braxton and Edmonds. Soon after, L.A. and Babyface brought Braxton onto their LaFace Records label and began crafting her debut solo album.

The self-titled “Toni Braxton” was released in July 1993, achieving a peak position of number one on the albums chart. The debut single, “Another Sad Love Song,” marked its place as the first-ever number-one song on the newly established Adult R&B charts. The album birthed five singles and earned Braxton three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and two consecutive wins for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Summer 1996 saw the release of Braxton’s second album, “Secrets,” which remains her most successful work to date. Its 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,” achieved monumental success, aided by Diane Warren’s exceptional songwriting. This song dominated the Hot Dance Singles chart for 11 weeks.

Amid health challenges and contractual disputes, Braxton released albums such as “More Than a Woman” in 2002, “Libra” in 2005, and “Pulse” in 2010. In 2014, she collaborated with Babyface to produce “Love, Marriage, & Divorce,” winning the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2015. Her ninth album, “Sex & Cigarettes,” hit the shelves in 2018.

Beginning in 1998, Braxton made her Broadway debut portraying Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” Alan Menken created a new song exclusively for her called “A Change in Me.” Toni departed the production in 1999.

Additionally, Braxton ventured into reality television, starring in “Braxton Family Values,” which has been aired on WeTV since 2011, as well as “Tamar and Vince,” featuring her youngest sister, Tamar.

In 2006, she became the headliner at the Flamingo Las Vegas in her show “Toni Braxton: Revealed.” Performing six nights a week, the show’s popularity warranted an extension of her run until August 2008. However, the later performances were canceled due to Braxton’s diagnosis with a heart condition.

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Personal Life

When on tour, Toni Braxton met musician Keri Lewis, whose group Mint Condition opened for her. They tied the knot on April 21, 2001. Later that same year, she welcomed their son, Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis. In 2002, pregnancy with their second child led her to be on bed rest. In March 2003, her second son, Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis, was born. Due to autism, Diezel’s needs have made Toni an advocate as the International Spokesperson for Autism Speaks. Toni and Keri divorced in July 2013.

In May 2016, Braxton began dating rapper Birdman. Their engagement was announced in February 2018, but in January 2019, they decided to call it off. However, in April 2019, both confirmed that their relationship was still ongoing.

Health Issues

In late summer 2007, rumors emerged regarding Braxton’s breast cancer diagnosis, which she denied at that moment. The following year, a benign lump was surgically removed from her breast. On April 8, 2008, Braxton spent a brief time in the hospital, leading to the cancellation of the remaining dates on her Flamingo Hotel Las Vegas residency. While participating in Season 7 of “Dancing with the Stars,” she later revealed her diagnosis of microvascular angina (small vessel disease).

On November 18, 2010, during an interview with CBS News, Braxton disclosed her diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a serious autoimmune condition.

Real Estate

In the fall of 2014, Braxton purchased a 5,323-square-foot property in Calabasas, California’s The Oaks neighborhood for $2.9 million. Constructed in 2006, this four en-suite bedroom residence was deemed an “affordable” option for someone moving into such a desirable area. She later sold the property in 2016 for $3.4 million.