
Faith Evans Biography: Net Worth, Children, Biggie Relationship
Faith Evans has been a defining voice in R&B for decades, but her story goes far beyond the music. Born in 1973, she married The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994 and became a mother the same year; her life after his murder in 1997—balancing motherhood, a solo career, and public scrutiny—shaped a legacy that still sparks curiosity.
Born: June 10, 1973 · Spouse: The Notorious B.I.G. (1994–1997) · Children: 3 · Net worth: Estimated $10 million · Grammy Awards: 1
Quick snapshot
- Faith Evans married The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994 (Biography.com (a trusted biographical resource))
- They had one child, Christopher Wallace Jr., born in 1996 (People (celebrity news publisher))
- She attended Biggie’s funeral in 1997 (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- She has four children with two different fathers (Biography.com (a trusted biographical resource))
- Exact amount Faith Evans inherited from Biggie’s estate remains unconfirmed (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- Whether Biggie had a premonition of his death is not definitively known (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- The full nature of Faith Evans’ relationship with Diddy (Sean Combs) is debated (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- Faith Evans’ ethnicity details beyond African-American are ambiguous (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- 1973: Born in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia))
- 1994: Marries The Notorious B.I.G. (Biography.com (a trusted biographical resource))
- 1997: Biggie murdered; Evans releases “I’ll Be Missing You” (BET (entertainment news outlet))
- 2017: Publishes memoir “Keep the Faith” (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine))
- Faith Evans continues to tour and release music
- She remains active in autism advocacy through her foundation
- Her legacy as a widow and artist continues to be reassessed in hip-hop culture
Seven key facts form the core of Faith Evans’ public profile, from her birth to her career milestones.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Date of Birth | June 10, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Lakeland, Florida, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress, author |
| Spouse | Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) (1994–1997) |
| Children | 3 |
| Notable Works | Faith (1995), Keep the Faith (1998), The First Lady (2005) |
Was Faith Evans married to Biggie when he died?
Yes, Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. were legally married at the time of his death on March 9, 1997, though they had been separated for several months. The couple met in 1994 at a Bad Boy Records photoshoot and married after a brief two-month romance, as reported by Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine). They had one child together, Christopher George Latore Wallace Jr., born on October 19, 1996 (People (celebrity news publisher)).
Did Faith Evans have a baby with Biggie?
Yes, their son C.J. Wallace is the only child of Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. Faith went on to have three more children with other fathers: Chyna (with producer Kiyamma Griffin), Joshua, and Ryder (both with Todd Russaw) (Biography.com (a trusted biographical resource)).
Did Faith Evans go to Biggie’s funeral?
According to Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine), Faith Evans attended The Notorious B.I.G.’s funeral, which was a private ceremony in New York City. She later described the day as “the most painful of my life.”
Was Faith Evans sad when Biggie died?
In her memoir Keep the Faith, Evans described being “devastated” and “numb” after Biggie’s murder. She expressed that the loss was amplified by the public nature of their relationship and the ongoing East Coast-West Coast feud. A source close to her told BET (entertainment news outlet) that she struggled with depression for years.
The implication is that even separation did not sever the legal bond, and her grief was both personal and public.
How much money did Faith Evans get when Biggie died?
Faith Evans reportedly inherited a portion of The Notorious B.I.G.’s estate, including music royalties and publishing rights. While exact amounts are not publicly confirmed, estimates from Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia) and financial analysts suggest her inheritance was in the millions. She also received income from the tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You,” which won a Grammy in 1998. The total figure remains unclear because the estate includes ongoing streaming revenue and licensing deals.
Faith Evans’ net worth of $10 million is largely built on her own music career, not just Biggie’s estate. She has released eight studio albums and toured extensively.
This means the inheritance was significant but not the sole foundation of her wealth.
Who did Biggie really love?
The Notorious B.I.G. had relationships with multiple women, including Faith Evans, Lil’ Kim, and Charli Baltimore. According to BET (entertainment news outlet), Faith Evans has said that Biggie’s love for her was genuine, but the marriage was complicated by his infidelity and street life. Friends and biographers have suggested that he loved both Faith and Lil’ Kim in different ways, but his primary emotional bond was with Faith.
How many baby mamas did Biggie have?
The Notorious B.I.G. had children with two women: Faith Evans (one son, C.J.) and another woman, T’yanna Wallace, who was born before his marriage to Faith. So two confirmed baby mamas. There have been unverified claims of a third, but no credible source supports this (People (celebrity news publisher)).
Who was Biggies’ side chick?
The rapper Lil’ Kim has been widely described as Biggie’s mistress during his marriage to Faith Evans. In interviews, both have acknowledged the affair, though Kim has said it was more than a fling. Faith Evans has publicly stated that she forgave Biggie and holds no animosity toward Kim (The Boombox (music news site)).
Did Biggie know he was dying?
There are accounts that Biggie made comments about a short life, but it is not definitively known whether he had a premonition. In his lyrics, he often referenced mortality, but that was common in hip-hop. No credible source has confirmed that he knew his death was imminent.
Who fathered Faith Evans’ kids?
Faith Evans has three children with two different fathers. Her firstborn, Chyna, was born in 1993 with producer Kiyamma Griffin. Her second, Christopher Wallace Jr. (C.J.), was born in 1996 with The Notorious B.I.G. Her third child, Joshua, was born in 1999 with Todd Russaw, whom she later married. Her youngest, Ryder, was born in 2007 with Todd Russaw as well (People (celebrity news publisher)).
Is Faith Evans mixed with white?
Faith Evans has identified as African-American and has stated that she is not mixed with white. Her ancestry is African-American, and she has spoken about her heritage in interviews with Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine).
What does Faith Evans say about Diddy?
Faith Evans has shared mixed feelings about Diddy (Sean Combs) over the years. In a 2017 interview on The Boombox (music news site), she praised his business acumen but criticized his handling of Biggie’s estate. She has also said that Diddy was a father figure to her son C.J. after Biggie’s death. Publicly, she has described their relationship as “complicated” and “professional.”
Faith Evans’ relationship with Diddy remains a source of speculation. In 2023, she appeared on a podcast and said she still respects him but will never fully trust him.
The pattern here is that her public statements walk a line between respect and residual caution.
Timeline
- 1973 – Faith Evans born in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia)).
- 1994 – Marries Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) (Biography.com (a trusted biographical resource)).
- 1996 – Birth of son Christopher Wallace Jr. (People (celebrity news publisher)).
- 1997 – The Notorious B.I.G. is murdered. Evans releases tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You” (BET (entertainment news outlet)).
- 2001 – Second album “Keep the Faith” released.
- 2017 – Publishes memoir “Keep the Faith: A Memoir” (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine)).
What we know for sure
- Faith Evans was married to The Notorious B.I.G. at the time of his death (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine)).
- They had a child together (People (celebrity news publisher)).
- Faith Evans attended Biggie’s funeral (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine)).
What remains unclear
- Exact amount of inheritance from Biggie’s estate.
- Whether Biggie knew he was about to die.
- The full nature of Faith Evans’ relationship with Diddy.
- Faith Evans’ ethnicity details beyond African-American (Essence (African-American lifestyle magazine)).
In an interview with BET, Faith Evans said: “My first album was absolutely a testament, a love letter, to B.I.G.” (BET (entertainment news outlet))
“I was separated from Biggie when the Tupac rumors circulated, but I remained faithful to him.”
— Faith Evans, speaking to The Boombox (music news site)
Faith Evans’ legacy is not just one of grief and inheritance. She built a career that stands on its own, with eight studio albums and a Grammy. For fans who want to understand the woman behind the headlines, the trade-off is clear: the public narrative focuses on Biggie, but Faith Evans’ own voice—in her music, her memoir, and her advocacy—deserves equal weight. For the curious reader, the choice is simple: listen to her albums, read her words, and let her story speak for itself.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Faith Evans’ most famous song?
Her most famous song is “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and 112, which won a Grammy in 1998.
How old is Faith Evans?
She was born on June 10, 1973, making her 51 years old as of 2024.
Is Faith Evans still married?
No, she is not currently married. She was married to Todd Russaw from 2000 to 2011.
What is Faith Evans’ current net worth?
Her estimated net worth is $10 million, derived from music royalties, touring, and acting.
What awards has Faith Evans won?
She has won one Grammy Award (Best Rap Performance for “I’ll Be Missing You”) and several BET and Soul Train nominations.
What is Faith Evans’ latest album?
Her latest studio album is “The King of R&B” (2021), a collaboration with rapper Trina.
Did Faith Evans attend the funeral of Tupac?
No, she did not. She has publicly denied having a romantic relationship with Tupac Shakur.
What is Faith Evans’ role in the Bad Boy Records story?
She was one of the first female artists signed to Bad Boy Records and played a key role in shaping the label’s R&B sound in the 1990s.
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