Mary J Blige Net Worth

Mary J Blige is a world-famous musician, actress, and songwriter who is an iconic award winner. She has empowered many as she continues to soar decades after she made her debut through Uptown Records. Mary J Blige has redefined contemporary R&B music while centering herself as a global music star. 

She’s sold more than 50 million albums, and nine Grammy Awards, and continues to break records in business and music. With a net worth of $20 million and a yearly salary of $2 million, Mary J Blige is an inspiration. 

Mary J Blige Early Life

Mary “J” Blige was born in The Bronx, New York on the 11th of January 1971. Her early childhood years were spent with her two siblings and mother in Savannah, Georgia. When Mary J Blige turned seven, her family moved back to New York but lived in a different part of the city, in the Schlobohm Housing Projects located in Yonkers. Mary J Blige’s family wasn’t as poor as most black people from the 70s. Mary’s mother was a nurse while her father was a Vietnam War veteran who became an aspiring jazz musician. Mary J Blige’s musical talents were influenced by her father even though he left the family in the mid-70s. Mary J Blige went to school in New York, but later dropped out when she was in her junior year. Her mother and siblings supported her dreams of pursuing her musical career. 

Mary J Blige’s Music Career

Soon after dropping out of high school, Mary J Blige started focusing on her music. She became part of a band named Pride from Yonkers. Although this was a brief stint, she did record a cover of “Caught Up in the Rapture’ by Anita Baker with the band. This was the song that would later change her life. Her mother’s then-boyfriend played the cover of this song to the A&R runner and recording artist for Uptown Records, Jeff Redd. Jeff sent it to the CEO, Andre Harell. It wasn’t long until she was signed to Uptown Records as a backup vocalist in 1989. Mary J Blige made history as not only the youngest artist to be signed by Uptown Records, but she was also the first female artist that they signed. In 1991, Mary J Blige began working with Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy/P Diddy. He was a record producer who helped her record her first studio album, “What’s the 411?”, which was released in July 1992. 

Her debut album was an infusion of different genres that included jazzy blues, contemporary R&B, gospel, and the traditional 90s sounds. Mary’s album was well-received as it peaked on the Billboard 200 Chart at number six. It broke records by being certified platinum not once but three times by the RIAA. Her first album launched Mary J Blige into musical stardom when she won the Soul Train Music Awards and earned her well-known title as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul”. Her follow-up album, “My Life”, is the album that solidified her superstar status. She went on to release music and collaborated with famous musical sensations such as George Benson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Nas, Lil’ Kim, and Snoop Dogg. 

Mary J Blige Acting Career

Her successful music career isn’t the only thing that she’s famous for. In 1998, Blige decided to try out her hand at acting. She made her debut on The Jamie Foxx Show as a preacher’s daughter. She has had a number of feature film roles as a supporting actress alongside Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin in Rock of Ages and Prison Song. Other shows include Ghost Whisperer and 30 Rock. 

Other Ventures

Mary J Blige has been in the industry long enough to understand what it means to diversify yourself. When she’s not belting out high notes or dominating TV screens, Mary J Blige is a boss babe. In 2004, she established her own record label, Matriarch Records, that’s distributed through Interscope. 

She has also launched a perfume line, My Life, which broke sales records at its premiere. She has also had an array of brand endorsement deals with recognized brands such as Air Jordan, Apple, Burger King, American Express, Coca-Cola, MAC, and many more. 

Real Estate

Mary J Blige has made a fortune in real estate. In 2008, she spent over $12 million in cash on a mansion in Saddle River, New Jersey. She also has a smaller mansion in New Jersey that she bought for approximately $2 million. 

Cars 

Mary J Blige has a very impressive car collection. Her lavish cars include a Range Rover, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Mercedes-Benz. 

Jewelry 

Mary J Blige is a true Hip Hop star, and nothing says she is the Queen of Hip Hop Soul like her jewelry collection. She not only owns a lot of pieces, but she has some notable features. This includes a Bruni necklace, a Luminaire De Nuit diamond, a diamond cross necklace, and real pearl earrings. 

Mary J Blige’s Personal Life

In 2003, Mary J Blige married her former manager, Martin Isaacs. Reports state that the pair went through turbulent times during their marriage, which led them to divorce in 2018. According to sources, Mary J Blige has to pay her husband alimony every month to maintain his lifestyle. In fact, the singing star has had a few financial problems in the past. In 2013, it was reported that she had a series of financial problems as she owed the IRS over $3 million. She also owed the state of New Jersey close to a million dollars and a bank loan that amounted to just over $2 million. 

Mary J Blige Net Worth

With so many career highlights, it’s no surprise that Mary J Blige’s net worth is the talk of  the town. She has an estimated net worth of $20 million. This doesn’t include her cars, real estate, and jewelry. 

Mary J Blige FAQs