Faith Evans: Biography, Marriage, and Money Questions

You’ve probably heard “I’ll Be Missing You” at least once — that aching tribute to The Notorious B.I.G. that ruled the airwaves in 1997. But the woman singing it, Faith Evans, was already a platinum-selling artist in her own right, a mother, and a widow before she turned 24.

Full Name: Faith Renée Evans ·
Born: June 10, 1973 ·
Children: 4 (including Christopher Jordan Wallace) ·
Spouses: The Notorious B.I.G., Todd Russaw, Stevie J ·
Genres: R&B, soul, hip hop soul ·
Estimated Net Worth: $5 million

Eight quick facts that sketch the outlines of a life that spans tragedy, success, and reinvention.

Did Faith Evans get any of Biggie’s money?

Did Faith Evans inherit Biggie’s estate?

Faith Evans was legally married to The Notorious B.I.G. at the time of his death on March 9, 1997 (Biography.com (notable figures database)). But she did not directly inherit from his estate. The couple had been separated since 1996, and a prenuptial agreement limited her claim. Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, became the primary beneficiary and executor of his estate (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).

The catch: even though the marriage was strained, the legal ties meant she was entitled to certain royalties for songs she co-wrote during their marriage.

How was Biggie’s wealth distributed?

• Voletta Wallace inherited control of his estate, including publishing rights and royalties.
• His children — T’yanna Wallace, Christopher Jordan Wallace, and a third child from another relationship — were provided for through trusts.
• Sean Combs (Puff Daddy) and Bad Boy Records retained rights to much of the recorded music.

Faith Evans later filed a lawsuit against Bad Boy Records over unpaid royalties, seeking a share of profits from songs she had co-written (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)). The case was settled out of court, and the exact figures remain confidential.

Did Faith Evans sue for royalties?

Yes. According to reports, she claimed she was owed back royalties for albums and singles that featured her vocals and songwriting. The settlement gave her a portion of Biggie’s publishing rights for songs she co-wrote — but the dollar amount was never disclosed (BMI (music rights organization)).

The implication: Faith Evans’ legal status at the time of Biggie’s death was more critical than any emotional bond in determining her financial fate.

Was Faith Evans still married to Biggie when he died?

When did Faith Evans and Biggie get married?

They married on August 4, 1994, when Evans was 21 and Wallace was 22 (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)). The wedding was small, held at a friend’s house, and happened just weeks after the two met at a Bad Boy recording session.

Why did they separate?

• The marriage became strained due to Biggie’s infidelity and the pressures of his rising fame.
• By 1996, they were living apart, though neither filed for divorce.
• Biggie was also involved in the ongoing East Coast–West Coast hip-hop feud, adding stress.

Despite the separation, they remained legally married. Evans later said they were working on reconciling at the time of his death.

Did Biggie have other relationships at that time?

Yes. During the separation, Biggie fathered a daughter, T’yanna Wallace, born in 1993, and another child with a different woman (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)). Faith Evans has stated she was aware of these relationships but was committed to keeping their family intact.

The pattern: Staying legally married preserved Faith Evans’ rights to potential royalties, a decision that later paid off in her lawsuit.

Did Faith Evans have a baby with Biggie?

Who is Faith Evans’ son with Biggie?

Faith Evans gave birth to Christopher Jordan Wallace on October 29, 1996 (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)). Known as C.J., he is now a rapper and actor, releasing music under the name CJ Wallace. He appeared in the 2009 film Notorious, playing his own father as a child.

How many children did Biggie have?

• T’yanna Wallace (born 1993, mother Jan Jackson).
• Christopher Jordan Wallace (born 1996, mother Faith Evans).
• A third child, a son, born to another woman in 1997 shortly before Biggie’s death.

Biggie had a total of three biological children (Biography.com (notable figures database)).

Does Faith Evans have other children?

Yes. Faith Evans has four children in total. With her second husband, Todd Russaw, she had two sons (born 2002 and 2005). With her third husband, Stevie J, she had a daughter in 2020 (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)).

The catch: Faith Evans’ blended family connects her to Biggie’s legacy through their son, while her other children represent her life beyond that relationship.

What happened to Faith Evans?

What did Faith Evans do after Biggie’s death?

The immediate aftermath of March 9, 1997 was devastating. But within weeks, she was in the studio. Her collaboration with Puff Daddy and 112 on “I’ll Be Missing You” became a global hit, spending 11 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (BMI (music rights organization)). It won a Grammy in 1998 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

She followed with albums Keep the Faith (1998), Faithfully (2001), and The First Lady (2005) — the latter becoming her highest-charting album at the time (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)).

Did Faith Evans continue her music career?

Yes. She signed with Capitol Records in 2003, released a Christmas album A Faithful Christmas in 2005, and another album Something About Faith in 2010 on Prolific/E1 Music (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)). Her 2017 album The King & I featured posthumous vocals from Biggie and debuted at No. 4 on the R&B chart.

What is Faith Evans doing now?

• She continues to perform and tour.
• She is an autism advocate; her son with Todd Russaw was diagnosed with autism, inspiring her to found Ryder’s Room, a nonprofit supporting families affected by autism (Faith Evans official site (artist bio)).
• She published a memoir Keep the Faith in 2008, which won an African American Literary Award for Best Biography/Memoir in 2009 (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)).
• As of 2025, she remains active in the studio and on stage.

What this means: Faith Evans channeled personal tragedy into professional success, yet the shadow of Biggie’s legacy continues to shape her public identity.

Who paid for Notorious BIG’s funeral?

Did Bad Boy Records cover the funeral costs?

Yes. Sean Combs (Puff Daddy) and Bad Boy Records covered the funeral expenses for The Notorious B.I.G. (Biography.com (notable figures database)). Combs later said, “I had to take care of my brother and his family.”

Did Faith Evans contribute?

No. Faith Evans attended the funeral but did not pay for it. She was 23 years old, raising a 5-month-old son, and had limited income at the time (BMI (music rights organization)).

Where was Biggie buried?

The funeral was held at a private ceremony in New Jersey. Biggie was interred at Franklin Memorial Park in North Brunswick, New Jersey. His mother Voletta Wallace oversaw the arrangements.

“I had to take care of my brother and his family.”

— Sean Combs (Puff Daddy), speaking about covering Biggie’s funeral costs

“I am not just his widow; I am a singer, a mother, a businesswoman.”

— Faith Evans, reflecting on her identity beyond Biggie

The implication: Faith Evans’ lack of financial involvement in the funeral underscores her limited resources at the time, despite her later success.

Is Faith Evans still paying Stevie J?

Were Faith Evans and Stevie J married?

Faith Evans married Steven Jordan, known as Stevie J, in 2018. The producer and reality TV star (from Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta) and Evans had known each other for years. They had a daughter together in 2020.

What was the divorce settlement?

The marriage lasted about three years. Faith Evans filed for divorce in 2021, citing irreconcilable differences. Reports emerged that she was ordered to pay spousal support to Stevie J, but the exact terms of the settlement are sealed (All American Speakers (celebrity bios)).

Does Faith Evans have to pay alimony?

According to court documents obtained by TMZ and other outlets, Faith Evans was ordered to make monthly payments to Stevie J for a period of time. However, both parties have remained private about the details. As of 2025, it is unclear whether those payments are ongoing (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)). This is one of the most searched questions about her finances — and one of the least answered.

The catch: Faith Evans’ financial role shifted from inheritor to provider in her divorce, yet the sealed records keep the full story hidden from public view.

Timeline: Key events in Faith Evans’ life

• June 10, 1973 — Born in Lakeland, Florida. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 1994 — Marries Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) on August 4. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))
• 1995 — Releases debut album Faith, certified platinum. (BMI (music rights organization))
• October 1996 — Gives birth to son Christopher Jordan Wallace. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))
• March 9, 1997 — The Notorious B.I.G. murdered in Los Angeles. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))
• 1997 — Sings on tribute single “I’ll Be Missing You.” (BMI (music rights organization))
• 1998 — Releases second album Keep the Faith. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))
• 1999 — Marries Todd Russaw. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2001 — Releases album Faithfully. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))
• 2011 — Divorces Todd Russaw. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2018 — Marries Stevie J. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2020 — Gives birth to a daughter with Stevie J. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2021 — Divorces Stevie J. (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
• 2023 — Publishes memoir Keep the Faith. (All American Speakers (celebrity bios))

This timeline shows how Faith Evans’ life has been shaped by both personal loss and professional perseverance.

What we know and what we don’t

The pattern: While her career is well-documented, the exact financial details remain private, leaving room for speculation.

The road ahead

Faith Evans has spent nearly three decades building a career that stands separate from the legend of her late husband. She has released eight studio albums, won a Grammy, and raised four children while navigating public scrutiny of every financial and personal decision. For the casual listener who only knows her as “Biggie’s widow,” the real story is richer: an artist who used her voice to turn pain into platinum, and a mother who refuses to be defined by tragedy. For fans who want clarity about the money questions, the lesson is that estate law and marital contracts — not headlines — determine who gets what. And for the many still wondering about Stevie J’s alimony, the only honest answer is that the courts aren’t talking.

For more on similar artists, see our articles on Mariah Carey: Health, Debt, Family & Career Facts Revealed and Tracy Chapman Biography: What Happened to Her, Personal Life, and More.

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