Overview

Bobbi Brown is an American professional makeup artist, author, and entrepreneur. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, in April 1957. Brown is best known as the founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. She revolutionized the beauty industry with her natural-shade lipsticks. Bobbi Brown graduated from Emerson College with a degree in theatrical makeup and photography. In 1980, she moved to New York City to work as a professional makeup artist. She became known for her moderate and natural makeup tones, contrasting the bright colors common at the time. In 1991, she launched Bobbi Brown Essentials, which was later acquired by Estée Lauder Companies in 1995. Brown remained with the company until 2016. She has written multiple books about makeup and beauty and has also worked as a beauty and lifestyle editor for various media outlets. After leaving Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, she launched Beauty Evolution, LLC and became a certified health coach. In 2020, she launched a second beauty line, Jones Road. She was appointed to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation by President Obama and has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Founder

What Is Bobby Brown’s Net Worth?

Bobby Brown, the American R&B singer, songwriter, and dancer, has accumulated a net worth of approximately $2 million. His wealth is derived from his career in the music industry, spanning from his time with New Edition to his solo endeavors, as well as appearances in reality television and film. Although specific details regarding the breakdown of his earnings from album sales, concert revenues, and other ventures are not publicly available, his decades-long career has undoubtedly been the primary source of his financial standing. It’s important to note that while his former wife, Whitney Houston, was significantly in debt at the time of her death, her estate was able to generate a $20 million windfall for their daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown. Following Bobbi Kristina’s passing, Bobby Brown inherited a portion of her estate, roughly $2 million.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Robert Barisford Brown was born on February 5, 1969, in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in the Orchard Park Projects in Roxbury, in an impoverished childhood. In 1981, at the age of 12, Brown, along with childhood friends Michael Bivins and Ricky Bell, formed what would become the popular group New Edition. After adding Ralph Tresvant and later, Johnny Gill, the group officially became a quintet. Their debut album, “Candy Girl,” released in 1983, reached #20 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, marking the beginning of Brown’s professional music career. Despite the success of New Edition, Brown has stated that he earned relatively little during his time with the group, approximately “$500 and a VCR.”

Solo Career and Rise to Fame

In 1986, Bobby Brown embarked on his solo career, releasing his debut album, “King of Stage.” While this album achieved moderate success, it was his second album, “Don’t Be Cruel,” released in 1988, that catapulted him to superstardom. This album, produced in collaboration with renowned R&B songwriters and producers such as Teddy Riley, L.A. Reid, and Babyface, sold over 12 million copies. “Don’t Be Cruel” included hit singles such as “My Prerogative” and “Every Little Step,” the latter earning him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1990. These songs and the album’s overall success significantly boosted Bobby Brown’s net worth and established him as a prominent figure in the music industry during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Specific figures for album sales royalties or concert earnings during this peak period are not publicly available, but the widespread popularity of his music undoubtedly resulted in substantial income. Brown’s earnings from music publishing, as a songwriter on his hit songs, would also have contributed to his overall income.

Other Ventures and Appearances

Beyond his musical career, Bobby Brown has made appearances in film and reality television, which have contributed to his earnings. In 1989, he had a cameo role in “Ghostbusters II” as the Mayor’s doorman. In 1990, he appeared in the HBO kids show “Mother Goose Rock ‘n’ Rhyme,” playing all three characters of “Three Blind Mice.” In 2005, Brown starred in the reality series “Being Bobby Brown” on Bravo. Despite receiving negative reviews, the show garnered high ratings for the network. While the exact amount he earned from these appearances is not publicly known, they would have added to his overall net worth. In 1996, Brown reunited with New Edition for the album “Home Again.” New Edition reunited for the 2005 BET 25th anniversary special and then at the 2009 BET Awards when they performed a number of Jackson 5 hits in honor of Michael Jackson.

Personal Life and Relationships

Bobby Brown’s personal life has been marked by significant events that have had both emotional and financial repercussions. His marriage to Whitney Houston in 1992 was highly publicized and fraught with challenges, including struggles with substance abuse and domestic issues. While the specifics of their divorce settlement in 2007 are not publicly available, it is likely that the financial arrangements impacted Brown’s net worth. The couple had one daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, born in 1993. The death of Whitney Houston in 2012 and Bobbi Kristina Brown in 2015 were tragic events with potential financial implications. As mentioned earlier, Bobby Brown inherited a portion of Bobbi Kristina’s estate. In 2009, Brown had a son, Cassius, with his manager and girlfriend of two years, Alicia Etheredge. They were engaged in May 2010 and were married in a ceremony in Hawaii in June 2012. Since their wedding, they have had two daughters: Bodhi Jameson Rein in 2015 and Hendrix Estelle Sheba in 2016. Prior to Brown’s relationships with Houston and Etheredge, he fathered three children with two different women. Melika Williams gave birth to Landon in 1986, and Kim Ward gave birth to La’Princia and Bobby Jr. in 1989 and 1992, respectively.

Legal Issues and Financial Challenges

Throughout his career, Bobby Brown has faced legal issues, including arrests for drunk driving and battery. These legal troubles have likely resulted in fines and legal fees, which would have impacted his finances. Specific details regarding the amounts spent on legal expenses are not publicly available, but they would have contributed to the challenges he has faced in maintaining his net worth.

Recent Activities and Future Prospects

In recent years, Bobby Brown has continued to be involved in music and entertainment. He appeared in season five of “The Masked Singer” in 2021, and in 2022, “Biography: Bobby Brown” and “Bobby Brown: Every Little Step” aired on A&E. These appearances likely provided additional income. It is also important to consider the impact of streaming services on Bobby Brown’s music catalog. While specific streaming revenue figures are not publicly available, the continued popularity of his music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music would contribute to his ongoing income. Additionally, Bobby Brown’s performances with New Edition continue to generate revenue through touring and live appearances.

Real Estate and Assets

Specific details regarding Bobby Brown’s real estate holdings and other assets are not readily available in the public domain. However, it is reasonable to assume that he owns property and other assets that contribute to his overall net worth. Without precise information, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of his assets beyond his musical earnings and television appearances. Given the lack of specific information on Bobby Brown’s assets such as real estate holdings, investments, or luxury items, a detailed breakdown of his net worth composition is not possible. However, based on his career earnings, legal challenges, and personal circumstances, it is estimated that his net worth is around $2 million. This figure is an approximation based on publicly available information and may not reflect the entirety of his financial situation.

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