How Much Is Mary J. Blige Worth?

How much is Mary J. Blige worth? Mary J. Blige is worth $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, and if that figure is accurate, it shows just how daunting the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’s money woes have been in recent years. The singer was once worth $45 million, according to numerous sources, but in 2013, federal tax agents came looking for $3.4 million. Blige apparently hadn’t paid her taxes from 2009 through 2011, and the previous year, the State of New Jersey accused her of owing $900,000 in back taxes. To make matters worse, Blige and her husband were sued in November 2012 for defaulting on a $2.2 million loan, and her charitable foundation was sued by TD Bank for failing to pay back $250,000.

Mary J. Blige might not be sitting on the mighty fortune she was once was, but $45 million or not, she’s a force to be reckoned with in popular music. The Bronx native arrived on the scene in 1992, when she dropped the game-changing album “What’s the 411?” a melding of hip-hop and soul produced by a then-unknown Sean “Puffy” Combs. The album spawned the smash hit “Real Love” and set Blige on a path toward superstardom. She’s since released 10 studio LPs and a couple of live ones, and all told, she’s sold more than $50 million albums around the world. By rights, she should be loaded, but circumstances seem to have diminished her wealth quite a bit.

How much is Mary J. Blige worth compared to other R&B divas? She’s fallen behind Alicia Keys, who ironically is worth $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. And Blige is nowhere near Beyonce, who alongside hubby Jay Z commands a $900 million empire. But Mary is tough — this is the woman who sang “Not Gon’ Cry” — and if anyone can bounce back from tax trouble and rebuild a fortune, it’s her. Ask how much Mary J. Blige is worth in a few years, and it’s entirely possible the beloved diva will once again be a member of the eight-digit club.