
Faith Evans: Children, Marriages, and Biggie’s Estate Lawsuit
Few R&B careers have been as intertwined with hip-hop history as Faith Evans’, who married The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994, became the mother of his only son, and spent decades navigating the legal and financial aftermath of his murder. This article separates the verified facts from the rumors — her children, her marriages, and the $200 million estate dispute that reached a Delaware courtroom in 2025.
Born: June 10, 1973 · Children: 4 · Marriages: 3 (including Christopher Wallace) · Studio albums: 7 · Years active: 1994–present
Quick snapshot
- Married Christopher Wallace on August 4, 1994 (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Gave birth to son Christopher Wallace Jr. (Bloomberg Law (legal news service))
- Biggie was killed in March 1997 (Britannica)
- Seven studio albums released (Britannica)
- Exact amount Faith Evans inherited from Biggie’s estate (no confirmed source) (Public Angle (fan site, low confidence))
- Specific year of C.J. Wallace Jr.’s birth — 1996 or 1997 (Public Angle (fan site, low confidence))
- Current status of the 2025 lawsuit (Bloomberg Law)
- Whether Evans and Todd Russaw officially divorced in 2005 (Public Angle, low confidence)
- Exact marriage date to Stevie J in 2011 (Public Angle, low confidence)
- March 2025: Primary Wave buys 50% of Biggie’s estate (Complex (culture/sports outlet))
- July 2025: Lawsuit filed against Evans over catalog proceeds (Bloomberg Law)
- Delaware Chancery Court to decide trust’s 50% LLC membership (Bloomberg Law)
- Possible discovery into asset sale proceeds distribution (Bloomberg Law)
Eight key biographical data points, one pattern: Faith Evans’ life divides neatly into the pre-Biggie era and the long aftermath of his death.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Birth Date | June 10, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Lakeland, Florida |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Children | 4 |
| Marriages | 3 (Christopher Wallace, Todd Russaw, Stevie J) |
| Genres | R&B, soul, hip hop |
Did Faith Evans have a baby with Biggie?
Who is Christopher ‘C.J.’ Wallace?
- Faith Evans gave birth to Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr. — the only child she and Biggie had together (Britannica, encyclopedia).
- Biggie died in March 1997, before C.J. was born; the child came after his father’s murder.
Biggie’s other children
- Biggie had two other children: T’yanna (from a previous relationship) and a son with someone else.
- Faith Evans raised T’yanna alongside her own children.
The implication: Because C.J. is Biggie’s only child with Evans, his inheritance claims drive the legal battle.
Did Faith Evans get any of Biggie’s money?
What is the lawsuit against Faith Evans about?
- Faith Evans inherited a portion of Biggie’s estate as his widow at the time of death (Britannica).
- In 2025, the estate of Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace sued Evans for allegedly withholding proceeds from the Primary Wave catalog sale (Bloomberg Law).
- The complaint claimed Evans distributed sale proceeds to herself and two of Biggie’s children but shortchanged the Wallace trust’s 50% share (Complex).
Evans controls the LLC that administers Biggie’s catalog. The Wallace trust argues she used that control to cut them out of a $200 million deal.
The pattern: Decades after Biggie’s death, his estate remains a battlefield, with Evans at the center of the conflict.
Was Biggie still married to Faith Evans when he died?
Were Faith Evans and Biggie separated at the time of his death?
- Faith Evans and Biggie were legally married when he was killed on March 9, 1997 (Britannica).
- They had a strained relationship — both were known to have other partners — but never divorced.
- Evans later remarried Todd Russaw in 1999.
Being married at the time of Biggie’s death gave Evans a statutory inheritance claim that continues to generate legal battles decades later.
What this means: The marriage certificate is the foundation of Evans’ legal standing in the estate, and the reason the Wallace trust cannot easily bypass her.
What happened between Faith Evans and Biggie?
How did Faith Evans and Biggie meet?
- They met in 1993 when Evans was a backup vocalist and Biggie was recording his debut album at Bad Boy Records (Britannica).
- They married on August 4, 1994 — just months after meeting.
Did Faith Evans and Biggie have a tumultuous relationship?
- Their marriage was marked by infidelity, arguments, and separations.
- Biggie’s relationship with Faith Evans became intertwined with his feud with Tupac Shakur.
- Despite the turmoil, Evans was at Biggie’s side when he was killed.
The catch: Their relationship, though short, produced a son and a binding legal status that outlasted Biggie’s life.
How many baby fathers does Faith Evans have?
Who are the fathers of Faith Evans’ children?
- T’yanna Wallace: Born 1993, father is not Biggie (Evans was pregnant when she met Biggie).
- Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr.: Father is The Notorious B.I.G.
- Two younger sons: Fathers are believed to be Todd Russaw (her second husband) and an unidentified partner. Evans has not publicly confirmed all paternity details.
Evans has four children from at least three different fathers. The most famous is Biggie’s son, whose inheritance is now at the center of a multi-million dollar estate fight.
The implication: Each child’s father relationship adds layers to the estate distribution, with C.J. the sole heir from the Biggie marriage.
Timeline
The following timeline tracks the key events in Faith Evans’ life and the ongoing estate dispute.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1973 | Faith Renée Evans born in Lakeland, Florida (Britannica) |
| 1994 | Marries Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) (Britannica) |
| March 9, 1997 | Biggie Smalls killed in Los Angeles (Britannica) |
| 1997 | Gives birth to son Christopher “C.J.” Wallace Jr. (Britannica) |
| 1999 | Marries Todd Russaw (Public Angle, low confidence) |
| 2005 | Releases album The First Lady (Britannica) |
| March 2025 | Primary Wave closes deal for 50% interest in Biggie’s estate (Complex) |
| July 2025 | Lawsuit filed against Faith Evans in Delaware Chancery Court (Bloomberg Law) |
Confirmed facts
- Faith Evans married Biggie Smalls on August 4, 1994 (Britannica)
- She had a son with Biggie (Britannica)
- She attended Biggie’s funeral (Britannica)
- She is being sued over Biggie’s estate by the Wallace trust (Bloomberg Law)
What’s unclear
- Exact amount of money Faith Evans inherited from Biggie
- Full details of the estate distribution among Biggie’s three children
- Current status of the 2025 lawsuit (still pending)
- Year of C.J. Wallace’s birth (1996 or 1997)
The pattern: Even as the legal fight escalates, basic facts about the estate remain contested or unconfirmed.
“Ms. Wallace and I sort of had our thing… but at the end of the day we both loved Christopher.”
— Faith Evans, in a past interview (Pride Pedia (fan biographical site))
The complaint alleges Evans distributed sale proceeds to Ty’anna and CJ but “withheld the trust’s share” despite owing a fiduciary duty.
— Bloomberg Law coverage of the lawsuit (Bloomberg Law)
The Wall Street Journal reported the estate was valued at $200 million in connection with the Primary Wave deal.
— Complex citing the WSJ valuation (Complex)
Faith Evans has spent nearly three decades balancing her own R&B career with the weight of being Biggie’s widow. The 2025 lawsuit isn’t just a legal footnote — it’s a final reckoning over who controls the legacy of one of hip-hop’s most celebrated figures. For the Wallace trust, the choice is clear: fight for their 50% membership in court, or watch the proceeds of a $200 million deal get distributed without them.
For more on iconic R&B figures, see our biography on Luther Vandross: Life, Death, Relationships & Music.
digitalmusicnews.com, britaindaily.uk, news.bloomberglaw.com, youtube.com, pride-pedia.com, yahoo.com, lawyersclubindia.com, en.wikipedia.org, usaherald.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Faith Evans’ biggest hit?
Her biggest hit is “Love Like This” (1998), which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Did Faith Evans collaborate with Tupac?
She sang on Tupac’s song “Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto” (1997), though their relationship was complicated due to her marriage to Biggie.
How did Faith Evans start her music career?
She began as a backup vocalist for artists like Al B. Sure! and Mary J. Blige before signing to Bad Boy Records in 1994.
What is Faith Evans’ relationship with Lil’ Kim?
They had a strained relationship due to Biggie’s affair with Lil’ Kim, but both have spoken publicly about moving past the feud.
Did Faith Evans write a book?
Yes, she published a memoir titled “Keep the Faith: A Memoir” in 2008.
What is the Faith Evans lawsuit about?
The 2025 lawsuit alleges that Evans improperly withheld proceeds from the sale of Biggie’s music catalog, defrauding the Wallace family trust of its 50% share.
Is Faith Evans still making music?
Yes, she continues to record and perform. Her most recent album is “The King & I” (2017), a duets project with Biggie.
How old is Faith Evans?
She was born on June 10, 1973, making her 52 years old as of 2025.