Table of Biography
Mary J. Blige is a famous award-winning American singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and philanthropist. Mary J. Blige had a successful acting career, including her Oscar-nominated performance in ‘Mudbound.’
Early Life
Mary J. Blige was born on January 11, 1971. Her full name is Mary Jane Blige. She is presently 52 years old and her sun sign is Capricorn. She was originally born in the Bronx, New York, USA. Her other name is Brook Lynn.
Her parents are Cora and Thomas Blige. Mary grew up with her elder sister, LaTonya Blige-DaCosta. She has a younger half-brother, Bruce Miller, and a younger half-sister, Jonquell.
However, all was not well in the family, as her parents spent most of their time fighting over petty issues and divorced when Mary was just 4 years of age. Mary spent her early childhood in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
At the age of 5, Mary was molested by a family friend, and as a teenager, she endured years of sexual harassment from her peers. Eventually, she turns to alcohol, drugs, and promiscuous sex to try and numb the pain. This personality dropped out of Roosevelt High School in her junior year.
Caption: Mary J. Blige’s picture with her mother. Source: Instagram
Career
Mary J. Blige is most often referred to as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and “Queen of R&B”. This actress has won 9 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Awards, 12 NAACP Image Awards, and 12 Billboard Music Awards, including the Billboard Icon Award.
Similarly, Mary has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards, including one for her supporting role in the film Mudbound (2017). And, another for its original song “Mighty River”, becoming the 1st person nominated for acting and songwriting in the same year.
This personality’s career started in 1988 when she was signed to Uptown Records by its founder Andre Harrell. Then, she began background vocal work for other artists on the label such as Father MC and Jeff Redd.
Likewise, in the year 1992, she released her debut album, What’s the 411? Therefore, its 1993 remix album became the first album by a singer to have a rapper on every song, popularizing rap as a featuring act.
Moreover, Both What’s the 411? and her 1994 album My Life are featured on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, and the latter on Time magazine’s All-Time 100 Albums. Throughout her career, this singer went on to release 14 studio albums, including four Billboard 200 number-one albums.
Furthermore, her biggest hits include “You Remind Me”, “Not Gon’ Cry”, “Real Love”, “Be Without You”, “I’m Goin’ Down”, “Just Fine” and the Billboard Hot 100 number-one single “Family Affair”.
Caption: Mary J. Blige while performing on the stage. Source: Glamour
More
This singer has also made a successful transition to both the television and movie screens, with supporting roles in films such as Rock of Ages (2012), Prison Song (2001), Betty and Coretta (2013), Black Nativity (2013), her Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated breakthrough performance as Florence Jackson in Mudbound (2017), Body Cam (2020), Trolls World Tour (2020), The Violent Heart (2021) and Respect (2021).
Moreover, in the year 2019, she starred as Cha-Cha in the first season of the Netflix television series The Umbrella Academy. Currently, Blige stars as Monet Tejada in the spin-off of the highly-rated TV show drama Power in Power Book II: Ghost.
Mary received a Legends Award at the World Music Awards in the year 2006, and the Voice of Music Award from ASCAP in 2007. Furthermore, Billboard ranked Blige as the most successful female R&B hip-hop artist of the past 25 years.
Likewise, in 2017, Billboard magazine named her 2006 song “Be Without You” as the most successful R&B hip-hop song of all time. In the year 2011, VH1 ranked her as the 80th greatest artist of all time. Further, in the year 2012, VH1 ranked Blige at number 9 in “The 100 Greatest Women in Music” list.
She became a first-time nominee for the 2021 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And, in the year 2022, Mary was awarded the Icon Award at the Billboard Music Awards.
Caption: Mary J. Blige while singing. Source: Cleveland
Brand Endorsements
This actress has appeared in TV commercials for Reebok (2003), GAP clothing stores (2004), Coca-Cola (2004), Propel Fitness Water (2007), and Chevrolet Tahoe (2007). Also, she has appeared in print ads for Chevy Malibu (2007), MAC Viva Glam III Lipstick (2000), Crest Toothpaste Healthy Smiles (2005), and MAC cosmetics (2000).
Mary J. Blige – Social Media
Her Instagram account ‘@therealmaryjblige’ has earned over 6.3 million followers. Her ‘@maryjblige’ Twitter account has gained over 6.2 million followers. Similarly, Mary has gained over 11 million followers on her Facebook account.
\Her ‘MaryJBligeVEVO’ YouTube channel was created on May 12, 2009.
Relationship Status
This personality met Martin “Kendu” Isaacs in the early 2000s and stated that he made her fall in love with herself again. The two married in the year 2003, but the association ended in 2016 when Mary filed for a divorce. Moreover, their divorce was finalized on June 21, 2018.
Body Measurements
Mary J. Blige has a height of 5 feet 9 inches or 175 cm and weighs around 66 kilos or 145 lbs. Naturally, this personality has dyed blonde hair color and eyes dark brown color. Similarly, Mary’s body measurements are 36-32-38 inches (chest-waist-hip).
This personality wears a shoe in size 8 (US) or 6 (UK) or 38.5 (EU) and a dress in size 10 (US) or 12 (UK) or 40 (EU). This singer focuses on exercising daily.
Mary J. Blige – Net Worth 2023
This celebrity is sure to earn a handful amount of money. However, Mary has a net worth of $20 million.