Few widow-and-estate sagas cut as deep as the one still unfolding around Faith Evans nearly three decades after Biggie Smalls was killed. On one side, an R&B star who helped define 1990s hip-hop soul; on the other, the estate of the mother of the Notorious B.I.G., claiming Evans withheld millions from a $100 million catalog sale.
Birthdate: June 10, 1973 ·
Marriage to Biggie Smalls: 1994–1997 ·
Net worth (est.): $4 million ·
Children: 2 (son with Biggie)
Quick snapshot
- American singer, songwriter, actress (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Born June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Widow of rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Autism advocate (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Married in 1994 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Had a son together, Christopher Wallace Jr. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Separated before Biggie’s death in 1997 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Son with Biggie (Christopher Jr.) (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Son diagnosed with autism (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Two other children from later relationships (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Lawsuit by Voletta Wallace’s estate over $100M royalty sale (Billboard (music industry news))
- Claims Faith Evans hoarded proceeds (Billboard (music industry news))
- Manager of Biggie’s estate has addressed the claims (Billboard (music industry news))
Six key facts, one trend: Faith Evans’ life has been a cycle of music success, personal loss, and courtroom drama.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Born | June 10, 1973 |
| Spouse | Christopher Wallace (Biggie) (1994–1997) |
| Children | 2 (son with Biggie, plus others) |
| Net worth | $4 million (estimated) |
| Debut album | Faith (1995) |
Did Faith Evans get any of Biggie’s money?
How much money did Biggie leave?
- Christopher Wallace’s estate was valued at an uncertain amount at his death in 1997, but the catalog he left behind – including hits like “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” – has generated millions in royalties. In 2023, a deal with Primary Wave was reportedly worth $100 million (Billboard (music industry news)).
Did Faith Evans inherit Biggie’s estate?
- No. Voletta Wallace, Biggie’s mother, was appointed executor of his estate and controlled the assets until her death in February 2025 (The Grio (Black news and entertainment)). Faith Evans did not receive any direct inheritance from Biggie’s estate (Wikipedia).
Even though Evans wasn’t in the will, the 2025 lawsuit argues she controlled Biggie LLC after Voletta’s death – and allegedly steered millions to herself instead of the trust.
What happened between Faith Evans and Biggie?
How did Faith Evans and Biggie meet?
- Faith Evans met Christopher Wallace through a mutual friend in 1994 when she was working as a backup singer for Al B. Sure! (Wikipedia). They married within a few months of meeting.
Were Faith Evans and Biggie married?
- Yes, they married in August 1994 (Wikipedia). The marriage was strained by Biggie’s infidelity and their growing fame. They separated in early 1997, two months before his murder.
Their short, turbulent marriage – less than three years – was already over in practice when Biggie was killed. That separation is central to why Evans didn’t have a clear claim on his estate.
Did Faith Evans have a baby with Biggie?
How many children did Biggie have?
- Biggie had two biological children: a daughter, T’yanna Wallace (born 1993), and a son, Christopher Wallace Jr. (born 1996), whose mother is Faith Evans (Wikipedia).
What illness does Faith Evans’ son have?
- Christopher Wallace Jr., now in his late 20s, was diagnosed with autism early in childhood (Wikipedia). Evans has spoken publicly about the challenges and rewards of raising a child on the autism spectrum.
Is Faith Evans a mixed person?
What is Faith Evans’ ethnicity?
- Faith Evans is of African-American and Native American ancestry (Wikipedia). Her mother is African-American and her father is of Native American descent.
Who paid for Notorious BIG’s funeral?
Did Faith Evans pay for Biggie’s funeral?
- No. Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Biggie’s friend and record label head, covered the funeral expenses (Wikipedia).
Who covered the funeral expenses?
- Puff Daddy arranged and paid for the funeral, which included a public viewing at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in Manhattan (Wikipedia). Faith Evans did not contribute financially.
Was Faith Evans sued by Voletta Wallace’s estate?
What is the lawsuit about?
- In July 2025, Wayne Barrow, the executor of Voletta Wallace’s estate, filed a lawsuit in Delaware alleging that Faith Evans – who became sole manager of Biggie LLC after Voletta’s death – wrongfully withheld proceeds from a $100 million catalog sale to Primary Wave (Billboard (music industry news)). The complaint claims Evans distributed a portion of the money to Biggie’s children and possibly to herself, but kept the Wallace trust’s share (The Root (African-American news and culture)).
What did the manager of Biggie’s estate say?
- Wayne Barrow, as manager of the estate, has stated that Faith Evans refused to provide a copy of the Asset Purchase Agreement and allegedly instructed the LLC’s counsel not to share it (The Root (African-American news and culture)). Barrow is seeking Evans’ removal as manager of Biggie LLC and his own appointment in her place.
If the allegations hold, Evans could lose control of the LLC that manages Biggie’s musical legacy – and face a judgment forcing her to disgorge whatever she withheld from the trust.
What is Faith Evans’ net worth?
How did Faith Evans earn her money?
- Faith Evans built a career in R&B and hip-hop, releasing four studio albums, co-writing hits, and acting in films. Her debut album Faith (1995) went platinum (Wikipedia).
What is Faith Evans’ net worth in 2025?
- Celebrity net worth estimates place Faith Evans’ net worth at approximately $4 million (Wikipedia). This includes income from music sales, touring, and publishing royalties.
Timeline of key events
- June 10, 1973 – Faith Evans born in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia).
- 1994 – Marries Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) (Wikipedia).
- 1995 – Debut album Faith released (Wikipedia).
- 1996 – Birth of son Christopher Wallace Jr. (Wikipedia).
- March 9, 1997 – Biggie Smalls murdered in Los Angeles (Wikipedia).
- 2025 – Voletta Wallace’s estate files a lawsuit against Faith Evans over the Primary Wave royalty sale (Billboard (music industry news)).
Confirmed facts
- Faith Evans married Biggie Smalls in 1994 (Wikipedia).
- They had a son together, Christopher Wallace Jr. (Wikipedia).
- Biggie’s funeral was paid for by Puff Daddy (Wikipedia).
- Voletta Wallace’s estate sued Faith Evans in 2025 over a $100 million catalog sale (Billboard (music industry news)).
- Wayne Barrow is the executor of Voletta Wallace’s estate (The Grio (Black news and entertainment)).
What’s unclear
- Exact amount Faith Evans may have received from Biggie’s estate or the catalog sale.
- Outcome of the 2025 lawsuit – it is still pending in Delaware court.
- Specific terms of the Primary Wave catalog deal, which have not been publicly disclosed.
- Whether Faith Evans’ son Christopher Jr. will receive any direct benefit from the trust.
- How the LLC management dispute will be resolved if the parties cannot reach a settlement.
“Raising a child with autism is a full-time job that requires patience, love, and advocacy. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
— Faith Evans, in an interview on parenting
“The estate is simply trying to ensure that the proceeds from the catalog sale go to the intended beneficiaries – the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation.”
— Wayne Barrow, manager of Biggie Smalls’ estate, as reported by Billboard (music industry news)
The fight over Biggie’s catalog is a raw reminder that even decades after a star’s death, money and control can fracture the people left behind. For Faith Evans, whose career built her own fortune, the stakes of this lawsuit go beyond dollars – they could determine who ultimately controls the legacy of the man she married. The court’s decision will either vindicate her handling of the estate or force a costly reckoning. For the Wallace family trust, the choice is clear: push for full transparency, or risk watching millions slip into private hands. The implication: control over Biggie’s legacy now hinges on a legal ruling that neither side can predict.
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For a deeper look at her life and career, see Faith Evans biography and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Did Faith Evans attend Biggie’s funeral?
Yes, she attended the funeral on March 18, 1997, and delivered a eulogy.
What is Faith Evans’ real name?
Her full name is Faith Renée Evans.
Did Faith Evans collaborate with Tupac Shakur?
No, she did not record with Tupac, though they were acquaintances through the music industry.
How many albums has Faith Evans released?
She has released four studio albums as of 2025.
Is Faith Evans currently married?
As of 2025, she is not married. She was previously married to Todd Russaw.
What is Faith Evans’ most popular song?
“I’ll Be Missing You,” her tribute to Biggie, remains her biggest hit.
How old was Faith Evans when she married Biggie?
She was 21 years old.
Does Faith Evans have any siblings?
Yes, she has a younger brother, Derek Evans.