Faith Renée Evans, born June 10, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in New Jersey, is a three-time platinum-certified R&B artist, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. She is widely known as the “First Lady of R&B” and the “First Lady of Bad Boy,” a title earned after she became the first female artist signed to Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’s Bad Boy Records in 1994.
Her career spans three decades, with over 20 million records sold worldwide. She is best known as the widow of The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace), whom she married in August 1994. Her most famous song, “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute to B.I.G., won a Grammy in 1998 and remains a defining track of the era.
Beyond music, Faith Evans is a New York Times best-selling author, an autism awareness advocate, and a media producer. She has built a legacy that bridges R&B, hip-hop, and personal resilience, making her one of the most respected figures in the industry.
Who is Faith Evans? Biography, Age, and Early Life
| Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, actress, record producer, author | Born June 10, 1973 (age 51) in Lakeland, Florida, USA (raised in New Jersey) |
| Best known for “I’ll Be Missing You” (with Puff Daddy and 112), and her debut album Faith | Widow of The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace), mother of four children |
- Faith Evans is one of the most respected female voices in 1990s–2000s R&B and hip-hop soul.
- She holds the distinction of being the first female artist signed to Sean Combs’ Bad Boy Records.
- Her marriage to The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls) remains one of the most iconic and tragic stories in hip-hop history.
- Her 1995 debut album Faith and the 1997 tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You” cemented her legacy.
- Beyond music, she is a published author, autism advocate, and media producer.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Born | June 10, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Lakeland, Florida, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress, author, record producer |
| Genres | R&B, soul, hip hop soul, gospel |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Bad Boy, Capitol, E1, Prolific |
| Spouse(s) | The Notorious B.I.G. (m. 1994–1997; his death), Todd Russaw (m. 1999–2011) |
| Children | 4 (including C.J. Wallace) |
| Grammy Awards | 1 (Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, 1998) |
Most Popular Faith Evans Songs and Albums
The Breakthrough Hit: “I’ll Be Missing You”
“I’ll Be Missing You,” released in 1997, is Faith Evans’ most famous song. The tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. featured Puff Daddy and 112 and became a global No. 1 hit. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998. The song remains a staple of 1990s R&B and hip-hop.
Faith Evans’ top tracks include “I’ll Be Missing You,” “Love Like This,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “You Used to Love Me,” and “Soon as I Get Home.” Her music is available on Spotify.
Faith Evans’ Studio Albums and Platinum Success
She has released eight studio albums. Her debut, Faith (1995), went platinum. Keep the Faith (1998) also achieved platinum status, as did Faithfully (2001). The First Lady (2005) reached gold and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Later independent releases include Something About Faith (2010) and Incomparable (2014). In 2017, she released The King & I, a duets album with The Notorious B.I.G.
Beyond albums, she has contributed to more than 20 soundtracks and released over 30 singles. Her work with Bad Boy Records defined an era of hip-hop soul.
Faith Evans and Biggie Smalls: Marriage and Relationship
How Faith Evans Met The Notorious B.I.G.
Faith Evans met Christopher Wallace, known as The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, at a Bad Boy Records photo shoot in 1994. They married in August 1994, just months after she signed with the label. Their relationship was closely tied to the rise of Bad Boy and the East Coast–West Coast rivalry.
Their Marriage and Life Together
The couple had one son together, Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr., born in 1996. At the time of Biggie’s death in March 1997, they were separated but still legally married. Faith Evans has spoken openly about their bond and the grief that followed his murder. She channeled that emotion into “I’ll Be Missing You,” which became her signature song.
Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. were married from August 1994 until his death in March 1997. They were separated at the time, but the marriage was never legally dissolved. She remains closely associated with his legacy.
Faith Evans’ Net Worth, Career Earnings, and Financial Profile
What Is Faith Evans’ Net Worth in 2025?
Faith Evans’ net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million, based on her career earnings from music sales, touring, acting, and publishing. Exact figures are not public, and estimates vary between $2 million and $6 million. She has sold over 20 million records worldwide, with three platinum albums.
Revenue Streams and Career Earnings
Her income comes from album sales, streaming royalties, concert performances, soundtrack placements, and her work as an author and producer. She also earns from her independent label, Prolific Music Group, and from advocacy-related initiatives. For a broader look at artists from the same hip-hop generation, read about Ice-T – Net Worth, Wife, Movies and TV Shows.
Faith Evans’ Children and Family Life
Faith Evans’ Four Children
Faith Evans is the mother of four children. Her eldest is daughter Chyna, born before her marriage to Biggie. She and Biggie had son Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr., born in 1996. With her second husband, Todd Russaw, she had two sons: Joshua (born June 1998) and Ryder (born March 2007). She has often spoken about the importance of family and raising her children with privacy and care.
A Focus on Advocacy: Ryder’s Room
Faith Evans founded Ryder’s Room, Inc., a foundation dedicated to helping children with disabilities and their families. The organization is named after her son Ryder and reflects her commitment to autism awareness. She continues to balance her music career with advocacy work.
Some earlier sources count three sons, but Faith Evans’ official bio confirms four children: Chyna, C.J., Joshua, and Ryder. The confusion may stem from Chyna being born before her marriage to Biggie.
Faith Evans Career Timeline: Key Milestones from 1973 to Present
- 1973 – Born in Lakeland, Florida; raised in Newark, New Jersey.
- 1994 – Signed to Bad Boy Records as the first female artist on the label.
- 1995 – Released debut album Faith (platinum sales).
- 1997 – Biggie Smalls murdered; released “I’ll Be Missing You,” which became a global No. 1 hit.
- 1998 – Won Grammy for “I’ll Be Missing You”; released second album Keep the Faith.
- 2001 – Released album Faithfully.
- 2005 – Released The First Lady; launched reality TV career.
- 2010 – Released Something About Faith; began acting roles.
- 2014 – Released Incomparable; starred in R&B Divas: Atlanta.
- 2017 – Released The King & I (duets album with The Notorious B.I.G.).
- 2020 – Inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
- 2024 – Continued touring, new music, and advocacy work.
Faith Evans and Tupac Shakur: Separating Fact from Rumor
| Established Information | What Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Faith Evans and Tupac Shakur were friends and associates within the hip-hop community. | Tupac claimed a romantic relationship; Faith Evans has denied an affair, stating they were only briefly flirtatious. No verified evidence of a romantic relationship exists. |
| Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G. were legally married but separated at the time of his death. | Some rumors suggest the separation was due to Tupac, but this has not been confirmed by reliable sources. |
| Faith Evans’ net worth is estimated between $2 million and $6 million. | Exact financial figures are not publicly available, and estimates vary across different sources. |
The Rise of Faith Evans: Context Behind Her Music and Legacy
Faith Evans rose to prominence in the mid-1990s as Bad Boy Records’ first lady. Her career was deeply intertwined with the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry because of her marriage to Biggie Smalls. Following his murder, she channeled her grief into music, producing the iconic tribute “I’ll Be Missing You.”
She has consistently reinvented herself as a solo artist, reality TV figure, author, and producer. Her influence on female R&B and hip-hop soul remains significant. Her independent releases and advocacy work show an artist committed to growth and giving back. For a look at another influential figure from the same era, check out Ice Cube – Biography, Net Worth, Movies and 2025 Updates.
Key Sources and Quotes About Faith Evans
“Mom Singer/Songwriter + Author + Music & TV producer… Autism Advocate.”
– Faith Evans, via Instagram
Reliable sources for further reading include:
- Wikipedia – Faith Evans
- AllMusic – Faith Evans Biography
- IMDb – Faith Evans
- Grammy Awards – Faith Evans
- Faith Evans – Instagram (Official)
Faith Evans’ Enduring Influence on R&B and Hip-Hop
Faith Evans remains a pivotal figure in R&B and hip-hop, bridging genres through her marriage to B.I.G. and her solo success with Bad Boy Records. She continues to tour, release new music, and advocate for autism awareness through her foundation, Ryder’s Room. Her legacy as the “First Lady of R&B” is secure, and her story continues to inspire new generations of artists and fans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Faith Evans
How old is Faith Evans?
Faith Evans was born June 10, 1973; she is 51 years old as of 2025.
Where is Faith Evans from?
She was born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in Newark, New Jersey.
What is Faith Evans’ most famous song?
“I’ll Be Missing You” (with Puff Daddy and 112) is her most famous and highest-charting song.
Did Faith Evans date Tupac?
Faith Evans has denied Tupac’s claims of an affair. She says they were friends and briefly flirtatious, but not in a relationship.
What movies has Faith Evans been in?
She appeared in “The Fighting Temptations” (2003) and guest-starred on TV shows like “Single Ladies” and “R&B Divas: Atlanta.”
What are Faith Evans’ children’s names?
She has four children: Chyna (born 1991), Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr. (born 1996), Joshua (born 2000), and Ryder (born 2008).
What record label is Faith Evans on now?
She currently runs her own label, Prolific Music Group, after past affiliations with Bad Boy, Capitol, and E1.
How tall is Faith Evans?
Faith Evans is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.