What Is Toni Braxton’s Net Worth?
Toni Braxton, a multifaceted American entertainer, has cultivated a prominent presence in the music industry and beyond. As of now, Toni Braxton’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. This figure reflects her earnings from a diverse career encompassing music, acting, and reality television, despite past financial challenges.
Early Career and Musical Successes
Born Toni Michelle Braxton on October 7, 1967, in Severn, Maryland, she embarked on her musical journey singing in her church choir. In the late 1980s, Toni and her sisters formed The Braxtons and signed with Arista Records in 1989. Their debut single, “Good Life,” released in 1990, garnered the attention of Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. This led to Toni recording a demo tape of “Love Shoulda Brought You Home,” initially intended for Anita Baker. Her rendition was included on the “Boomerang” soundtrack, along with a duet with Edmonds.
Braxton’s solo career took off after signing with LaFace Records. Her self-titled debut album, “Toni Braxton,” released in July 1993, reached the top spot on the albums chart. The album featured hit singles like “Another Sad Love Song,” which topped the Adult R&B charts. The album was a commercial triumph, selling millions of copies worldwide and winning three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist and two consecutive awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Her sophomore album, “Secrets,” released in 1996, is Braxton’s most successful album to date. The first single, “You’re Makin’ Me High,” marked Braxton’s first number-one hit on the Hot 100 charts. The second single, “Un-Break My Heart,” became the biggest hit of Braxton’s career, thanks to Diane Warren’s songwriting. The song spent 11 weeks at the top of the Hot Dance Singles chart. As a live performer, Braxton’s earnings range from $750,000 to $1 million per year from live shows and personal appearances, including her reality show, “Braxton Family Values.”
Financial Challenges and Bankruptcy Filings
Despite her success in music, Braxton faced significant financial hurdles. She filed for bankruptcy in 1998, owing $5 million in debt. Although her financial situation improved after her album “The Heat” in 2000 sold over two million copies, she filed for bankruptcy again in October 2010. This time, she was reportedly $50 million in debt, owing money to the IRS, Tiffany & Co, AT&T, and Neiman Marcus, among others. She reportedly spent $2.5 million on makeup, clothing, and hair alone in under two years.
In July 2013, Braxton lost the rights to 27 of her songs, including “You’re Making Me High,” “Always,” and “How Many Ways,” due to her bankruptcy case. The loss of these rights means she no longer receives the majority of royalties from those songs. She also does not receive significant royalties from “Un-Break My Heart” because Diane Warren wrote it.
Additional Career Ventures and Earnings
Beyond her music career, Braxton has explored other avenues in entertainment. She made her Broadway debut in 1998 as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” where Alan Menken wrote a new song for her, “A Change in Me.” Toni left the production of “Beauty and the Beast” in 1999. Her ventures into reality television include “Braxton Family Values,” which has aired on WeTV since 2011, and “Tamar and Vince,” starring her sister Tamar. In 2006, Braxton headlined “Toni Braxton: Revealed” at the Flamingo Las Vegas, performing six nights a week. The show’s popularity led to an extension through August 2008, although later dates were canceled due to a heart condition.
Braxton’s album “Love, Marriage, & Divorce,” released in 2014 in collaboration with Babyface, earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album in 2015. Her ninth album, “Sex & Cigarettes,” was released in 2018. These projects contributed to her ongoing revenue streams, although specific financial details for each album are not publicly available.
Real Estate Investments
Braxton’s real estate ventures include the purchase of a 5,323-square-foot home in The Oaks neighborhood of Calabasas, California, in 2014 for $2.9 million. Built in 2006, the house featured four en-suite bedrooms. She sold the property in 2016 for $3.4 million, realizing a profit of $500,000. Further details on additional real estate holdings are not publicly accessible.
Personal Life and Health Challenges
Toni Braxton married musician Keri Lewis on April 21, 2001, after meeting him when his group Mint Condition opened for her on tour. They had two sons, Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis, born in 2001, and Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis, born in March 2003, who is autistic. Braxton has been involved with Autism Speaks as their International Spokesperson. Toni and Lewis divorced in July 2013. Braxton started dating rapper Birdman in May 2016. They announced their engagement in February 2018. In January 2019, the couple called off the engagement. However, in April 2019, both Braxton and Birdman confirmed that they were still together.
In 2008, Braxton had a benign lump removed from her breast. During her appearance on Season 7 of “Dancing with the Stars,” she revealed her diagnosis of microvascular angina (small vessel disease). In 2010, she announced she had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease.
Toni Braxton’s Net Worth Composition
Toni Braxton’s net worth of approximately $10 million is comprised of several elements. A significant portion comes from her music career, including album sales, streaming revenue, and royalties, although the specifics for each category are not publicly detailed. Live performances, including concerts and residencies, contribute substantially to her annual income, with earnings ranging from $750,000 to $1 million per year. Her involvement in reality television, particularly “Braxton Family Values,” provides a consistent income stream. Real estate investments, such as the Calabasas property she bought for $2.9 million and sold for $3.4 million, also play a role. However, her past financial difficulties, including two bankruptcy filings, have impacted her overall net worth. The loss of rights to 27 of her songs and limited royalties from “Un-Break My Heart” have reduced potential earnings. Despite these challenges, Toni Braxton continues to generate income through various entertainment ventures and remains a prominent figure in the industry.