Toni Braxton is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer, actress, and television personality who has a total net worth estimated at $10 million. The “Unbreak My Heart” singer should be worth far more judging from the level of success she accomplished in the 90’s, but unfortunately, she isn’t as good with financial management as she is with her voice.

Toni has had to file for bankruptcy twice in her career and has even lost royalties to some of her most famous songs. However, since overcoming bankruptcy for the second time in 2014, Toni has been working hard to avoid repeating past mistakes. Apart from her bankruptcy spells, Braxton has also lost some good part of her wealth to her infamous divorce from Mint Condition singer and keyboardist, Keri Lewis.

The Surprising Reason Toni Braxton Settled for a Career in Music

Born as Toni Michelle Braxton on October 7, 1967 in Severn, Maryland, she has singing talents running in her blood, thanks to her mum who was an opera singer. But despite being really passionate about music from the start, Toni never really dreamed of going professional. She instead, sought to be a music teacher.

However, while studying to achieve her dreams at Bowie State University things turned around for her when she encountered William E. Pettaway, Jr. who met her at a gas station singing to herself. Pettaway immediately offered to be her manager and there and then, her journey to a professional music career kickstarted.

Breakthrough with ‘The Braxtons’

Toni Braxton began her music career in the 1980s by initially forming a singing group with her sisters called ‘The Braxtons’. Thanks to Pettway, the group signed with Arista Records in 1989 and released their debut single “Good Life” in 1990. Unfortunately, the single was commercially unsuccessful and didn’t peak higher than #79 on the Billboard charts. The group’s inability to be marketable caused Arista to annul their contract with them. Toni, on the other hand, landed a recording deal with LaFace Records.

Toni’s major breakthrough came in 1992 when the then-pregnant Anita Baker chose her as her substitute to record “Love Shoulda Brought You Home“, a soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy movie “Boomerang”. The exposure and critical acclaim she had received from the movie soundtrack paved the way for the success of her own music.

Solo Career Successes

Toni subsequently released her debut solo single “Another Sad Love Song” which topped the R&B Singles charts and reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second single “Breathe Again” peaked at #2 on the UK charts and reached the Hot 100 Top 5. In 1993, Toni Braxton released her debut self-titled album which was an instant hit, debuting atop the Billboard 200 and selling over 10 million copies. The album also won her three Grammys and  two AMA Awards.

Braxton’s success skyrocketed with the release of her second album Secrets (1996) which spawned the hit singles “You’re Makin’ Me High” which topped the Hot 100 and “Un-break My Heart”. The latter stayed on the Hot 100 top spot for 11 consecutive weeks, becoming her biggest hit ever as well as her signature song to date. The song later earned her a Grammy for best R&B performance. By the end of 1996, Toni had sold over 20 million records with 15 million of them being Secrets.

Toni Braxton’s First Bankruptcy and Comeback

Braxton’s tremendous commercial success wasn’t reflecting in her bank account as she wasn’t receiving a worthy cut from her label. This forced her to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy for the first time in 1998 declaring $5 million in debt. She was forced to relinquish the rights to some of the awards she had won including her Grammys.

In a bid to recover her finances, Toni dabbled into Hollywood and became the first black woman to play the role of Belle in the Disney Broadway show, Beauty and the Beast. She also sang “A Change in Me”, a musical for the show which became a huge success.

Toni resolved her conflict with LaFace label in 1999 and signed a new $20 million recording deal with Arista. In 2000, she released her third studio album, The Heat which spawned hit singles like “He Wasn’t Man Enough For Me”. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 and sold almost 200,000 copies in its first week. By 2002, The Heat has sold enough copies to receive quadruple platinum.

Health Problems and Second Bankruptcy

After a turbulent relationship with Arista, Toni left in 2003 and subsequently experienced moderate success in her music career. During this period, she also continued to make movie and TV appearances. Things looked bright again in 2006 when she signed a Las Vegas residency titled “Toni Braxton: Revealed”. The residency was highly successful but was abruptly canceled in 2008 due to Toni’s health problems. The singer had been diagnosed with microvascular angina and also suffered pericarditis and hypertension. She also revealed that she had been managing Lupus disease.

As a result of the abrupt cancellation of her Las Vegas residency, Toni found herself in money troubles yet again, and looked to an insurance agency, Lloyd’s of London for help. Toni had previously bought $70,000 worth of policy which included financial compensations for financial losses of up to $2.8 million. However, the insurance agency filed a counter lawsuit and nullified their contract with her. This left Toni in more trouble as she owed money to numerous companies as well as the IRS.

She therefore, filed for a second bankruptcy declaring $50 million in debt. She also lost the rights to over 20 of her famous songs. However, by 2013 Toni cleared most of her debts. Although her health problems still interfere with her endeavors once in a while, it is no doubt that Toni is back to winning ways. In 2014, she paid $3 million for a 4 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, 5,323 square foot home in the celebrity-studded The Oaks in Calabasas.

Braxton Family Values 

One of Toni’s comeback efforts was with the reality TV show, Braxton Family Values which airs on WE tv since April 2011. The show which chronicles the lives of Toni and her four sisters and their mom, has since become a hit for WE. It spawned the spinoff “Tamar & Vince” which began airing on the same network on December 11, 2011.

Toni Braxton also started earning top dollar from live performances and private gigs for American and European moguls. Despite a retirement threat in 2013, Toni returned in 2014 with Love, Marriage & Divorce, an album with longtime collaborator Babyface. Toni’s “The Hits Tour” kicked off on October 8, 2016, and the first show was reportedly sold out. The same year, she released her biographical music film titled “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart”.

Toni Braxton has so far, sold over 67 million records worldwide. Her accolades include 7 Grammys, 9 Billboard Music Awards, 7 American Music Awards among others. Her net worth after all the past hurdles is estimated at $10 million.

Hidden Truths About Toni Braxton and Keri Lewis Divorce

• Full Name: Keirston Jamal Lewis
• Date of Birth: February 12, 1971
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter and actor (since 1989)
• Spouse(s): Toni Braxton (m.2001; div. 2013)
• No. of Children: 2

Toni Braxton’s ex-husband, Keri Lewis is a singer, songwriter and keyboardist who works with the . He also works as an actor and has appeared in a number of films including Despite having a successful entertainment career, Lewis is more popular for her relationship and marriage with the much more famous Braxton.

Braxton met Lewis when the latter’s band opened for her during one of her tours. The pair later tied the knot on the 21st of April, 2001. Unfortunately in 2012, the couple parted ways and eventually divorced in 2013, with Braxton paying alimony to Lewis as stipulated in their pre and post nuptial. Per rife media reports then, the bone of contention between Braxton and Lewis was money-related. Toni however, later revealed to the shock of many that

Keri Left Her Because of Her Health Condition

During a November 2018 Red Table Talk appearance, Toni Braxton said that she believes Keri left her ater learning that she had Lupus. According to her, money issues was the superficial reason but she feels that it was actually as a result of the insecurity her health condition posed on her career (which is the major source of the family’s wealth) that caused Lewis to leave her.

Keri however, quickly refuted Toni’s claims in a lengthy post he shared on his Instagram page. His writeup also suggested that instead of money and ill health as Braxton claimed, it was the public display of their relationship on various television shows that contributed in creating conflict in their union.

Braxton and Lewis Dated for over a Year Post-divorce

Despite pointing fingers at each other, Toni and Keri actually tried to make things work again after their divorce. In the bid to salvage and restore their marriage, the ex-couple went into a relationship that lasted for about a year and half after they had both signed the divorce papers. The “Unbreak My heart” singer made the surprising revelation during her 2018 Red Table Talk interview. That however, didn’t work and in 2016, Toni started dating rapper Birdman.

Does Toni Braxton Have Kids with Keri Lewis?

Braxton and Lewis’ twelve-year marriage produced two sons, namely:

Denim 

• Full Name: Denim Cole Braxton-Lewis
• Date of Birth: December 2, 2001

Denim is Toni Braxton’s first child and son with Keri Lewis. He was born in December 2001, about 8 months after his parents tied the knot. Denim graduated from high school in July 2020. and has interest in sports.

Diezel, Toni’s Second Son with Lewis was Autistic

• Full Name: Diezel Ky Braxton Lewis
• Date of birth: March 30, 2003

Diezel is the second child and son of Toni and Keri. In October 2006, at the age of 3, doctors diagnosed Diezel with autism. Despite his condition, he has grown to become a model and is already making name as he recently signed with Wilhelmina Models. Fortunately, he has overcome his autism per latest doctors’ certification.

Meet Braxton’s Parents and Siblings

Toni Braxton was born to Michael Conrad Braxton Sr. and his wife Evelyn Jackson Braxton. Toni’s parents, Michael and Evelyn married in 1965 when both were teenagers of not more than 18. Unfortunately, they divorced in 2000 after 35 long years of marriage and raising their kids.

Toni’s father was a power plant worker and Methodist pastor while her mother was an opera singer and cosmetologist while also working as a pastor. Following the cheating scandal that led to his divorce from Evelyn, he has moved away from his children’s media fame.

Evelyn on the other hand, continues to feature in their reality show, Braxton family Values alongside other media appearances. Aside from being a reality tv star, Evelyn Braxton works as a life coach and motivational speaker, per her Instagram page.

Toni Braxton is the eldest of her parents’ six children comprising five daughters and one son. Toni thus, has one younger brother and four sisters, namely:

Michael Jr.

• Full Name: Michael Conrad Braxton Jr.
• Date of Birth: November 17, 1968
• Occupation: Singer-songwriter

Michael is Toni Braxton’s immediate younger sibling and only brother. He is also in the music industry, specifically a singer and songwriter based in Maryland. Among his latest songs is “Under My Christmas Tree”, a collaborative single with Dawei.

Unfortunately, Michael lost his 24-year-old daughter, Lauren Braxton to drug overdose in April, 2019.

Traci Renee

• Full Name: Traci Renee Braxton
• Date of Birth: April 2, 1971
• Occupation: Singer, actress, media personality

Traci is Toni Braxton’s second younger sibling and first younger sister. She was born in 1971 after her brother Michael. Traci was part of Toni’s breakthrough singing group, The Braxtons.

Many years after the group failed to thrive, she began starring alongside her sisters on their WE reality series, Braxton Family Values (BFV). Aside from these, Traci Braxton has been involved in a number of other entertainment projects including music, film, tv and radio shows. So far, she has two albums to her credit – On Earth (2018) and Crash & Burn (2014).

Towanda Chloe

• Full Name: Towanda Chloe Braxton
• Date of Birth: September 18, 1973
• Occupation: Actress, producer, entrepreneur
• Spouse(s): Andre Carter (m. 2004; div. 2017)
• No. of Children: 2

Towanda is Toni Braxton’s third younger sibling and second younger sister. Often regarded as “the responsible one”, Towanda is the only one (of all the Braxton siblings), that did not continue with a career in music after their music quintet, The Braxtons. Towanda has instead pursued a filming career, working as both an actress and a producer. Some of her recent works include Merry Wish-Mas (2018) and It’s Major (2019). She has also ventured into the world of business, running a skin care line called T Braxton.

Towanda Barxton has two children with her ex-husband, Andre Carter.

Trina Evette 

• Full Name: Trina Evette Braxton
• Date of Birth: December 3, 1974
• Occupation: Singer, actress and TV personality

Trina is Toni’s fourth younger sibling and third younger sister. She was equally part of their 1980s musical quintet, ‘The Braxtons’ and also stars in the BFV. In addition to singing and starring in reality tv, Trina has played several acting roles including in Tyler Perry’s I Can Bad All By My Self and the Broadway musical, Dreamgirls. She also co-owns The Bass Mint, an Atlanta-based film/tv/music recording studio.

Tamar Estine

• Full Name: Tamar Estine Braxton
• Date of Birth: March 17, 1977
• Occupation: Singer, TV personality
• Spouse(s): Darrell Allamby ​(m. 2001; div. 2003)​, Vincent Herbert (m. 2008; div. 2019)
• No. of Children: 1

Tamar is Toni’s youngest sister and sibling. She works as a singer and TV star. Alongside her sisters, Tamar featured in The Braxtons as well as stars in BFV. After Toni, Tamar has the most successful solo music career of all the Braxton sisters. As of 2020, she has five studio albums and numerous singles to her credit. She has also featured in several television shows including Tamar & Vince and The Real. In 2015, she contested on season 21 of Dancing With The Stars. Later in 2019, she won season 2 of Celebrity Big Brother.

Tamar has married twice in her lifetime, both of which ended in divorce. She has a son with her second ex-husband, Vincent Herbert.