Toni Braxton

Toni Michelle Braxton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality who became one of the best-selling female R&B artists of all time. Born on October 7, 1967, in Severn, Maryland, she grew up in a strict religious household as the eldest of six siblings, several of whom also pursued music careers as The Braxtons. Toni was discovered by producers Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, who signed her to LaFace Records in the early 1990s.

Her self-titled debut album “Toni Braxton” (1993) was a massive commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and spawning the hit singles “Breathe Again” and “Another Sad Love Song.” Her second album “Secrets” (1996) was even more successful, featuring the iconic ballad “Un-Break My Heart,” which became one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s. Braxton won six Grammy Awards during this period, establishing herself as one of the premier vocalists in contemporary R&B and pop music.

Despite her enormous record sales, Braxton famously filed for bankruptcy twice, in 1998 and 2010. Her first bankruptcy stemmed from an unfavorable recording contract that left her earning minimal royalties despite selling millions of albums. The second was related to health issues and the financial strain of her lupus diagnosis. These financial setbacks became cautionary tales about artist compensation in the music industry. She has been open about her struggles, discussing them on her reality television series “Braxton Family Values” (2011-2020) on WE tv.

Braxton continued to release music throughout the 2010s and 2020s, including the albums “Sex & Cigarettes” (2018) and various collaborative projects. She also enjoyed success on Broadway, starring in “Beauty and the Beast” and “After Midnight.” Her reality television work, touring, and music royalties have helped her rebuild her finances significantly. With over 70 million records sold worldwide and continued entertainment ventures, Toni Braxton’s net worth has recovered to an estimated $10 million as of 2026.