Faith Renée Evans, born June 10, 1973, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. Raised in New Jersey, she signed with Bad Boy Records in 1994 as the label’s first female artist. Her debut album, Faith (1995), earned critical acclaim, and she later won a Grammy for “I’ll Be Missing You” with Puff Daddy.
Evans released successful albums like Keep the Faith (1998) and The First Lady (2005). Widowed by rapper The Notorious B.I.G., Evans is also an author, winning the 2009 African American Literary Award for her memoir.
RELATED: Yeshua Bonadio: The Life and Legacy of Sinéad O’Connor’s Son
Table of Contents
Faith Evans Net Worth
Faith Evans has a net worth of $3 million and has received seven Grammy nominations, winning Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998 for “I’ll Be Missing You.”
The song also earned her a Soul Train Award and two MTV Europe Music Award nominations. In 2018, Evans was honored as the Soul Train Lady of Soul. Earlier in her career, she received nominations for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist and R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Female in 1996 for her debut album, Faith.
Early Life
Faith Renée Evans was born in Lakeland, Florida. Her mother, Helene, a singer, raised Faith in Newark, New Jersey, after her father, Richard Swain, left before her birth. Faith was cared for by her mother’s cousin, Johnnie Mae, and Orvelt Kennedy, who fostered over 100 children.
Helene later returned and lived next door, as Faith chose to stay with the Kennedys. Raised in a Christian household, Evans began singing in church at age 2 and attended Newark’s University High School, performing with jazz ensembles.
Career
In 1993, Faith Evans moved to Los Angeles and caught the attention of Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs while singing backup for Al B. Sure!. She signed with Bad Boy Entertainment in 1994, contributing to albums by Mary J. Blige and Usher before releasing her debut album,
Faith (1995), which peaked at #2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Her tribute to her late husband, “I’ll Be Missing You,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks in 1997. Evans’ subsequent albums, including Keep the Faith (1998) and The First Lady (2005), achieved significant commercial success.
Personal Life
Faith Evans married rapper The Notorious B.I.G. on August 4, 1994, and they had a son, Christopher Jr., in 1996. Their marriage became embroiled in the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry, and Wallace was tragically killed in 1997.
Evans later married Todd Russaw, with whom she had two sons, Joshua and Ryder. The couple faced legal issues in 2004 for drug possession and separated in 2011. In 2018, Evans married Stevie J., but in 2020, she was arrested for felony domestic violence, though the charges were later dropped.
Why did Stevie J leave Faith Evans?
“Irreconcilable differences have emerged between the Petitioner and Respondent, leading to an irreparable breakdown of their marriage,” state the court documents. “There is no chance of saving the marriage through counseling, a waiting period, or any other means.”
Conclusion
From her early days in Newark to the international stages, Faith Evans has exemplified the essence of resilience, talent, and passion. Her net worth, a testament to her hard work and dedication, reminds us of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
FAQs about Faith Evans’ Net Worth
- How did Faith Evans begin her career?
- Initially as a backing vocalist for artists like Al B. Sure! before being signed to Bad Boy Records.
- Is she still active in the music industry?
- Yes, although she has taken breaks, her career spans over two decades with releases as recent as 2017.
- How many times has Faith Evans been married?
- She has been married three times, including to The Notorious B.I.G. and Stevie J.
- Has Faith Evans ventured outside of music?
- Absolutely! She’s an accomplished actress, having appeared in films and television, and an author.
- What is the current net worth of Faith Evans?
- As of now, Faith Evans has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
