Toni Braxton is a true R&B legend, but even icons can stumble when it comes to money. She’s wowed fans with hits like “Un-Break My Heart” and “Breathe Again,” yet her biggest struggle is more about bank accounts than ballads.
In 1998, she stunned everyone by filing for bankruptcy for the first time. In 1998, she broke with her music company and filed her first bankruptcy, in what was the first of several career and personal setbacks”.
Despite selling millions of records and nabbing Grammy awards, Toni continued to face money trouble. She once revealed, “Because of that, I had to file a business and individual bankruptcy”.
By 2010, she was in financial hot water once more and was forced to file for her second bankruptcy. Her lawyer admitted, “After months of trying to work out an acceptable arrangement with her principal creditors, she determined that the only way to assure that she could meet her tax obligations and provide for her two small children was to commence these bankruptcy cases”.
A heart condition made matters worse and caused her to cancel her Las Vegas shows. This cancellation meant a sudden drop in her income, sending her further down the financial rabbit hole.
Toni also dealt with tax woes, liens, and behind-the-scenes arguments with creditors. At times, the courts insisted she owed hefty sums, while Toni tried to stay afloat by selling assets and negotiating deals.
To make it more complicated, she lost the copyright to several of her songs, including “You’re Making Me High,” when someone outbid her for the purchase. Fortunately, she held on to the rights to “Un-Break My Heart,” and sources noted, “But despite her gloomy predicament she still owns the rights to her most famous hit Unbreak My Heart, which was not included in the auction – for now”.
Toni has openly said she wished she’d found investors for her Vegas shows, instead of using her personal funds. “If I had to do it over again, I would get investors,” she explained.
These days, she’s aimed to learn from her past mistakes and manage her money with caution. Even so, her talent continues to shine, and fans still eagerly line up to hear her soul-stirring voice.
If you’ve ever felt swamped by financial problems, Toni’s story is a great reminder that even superstars mess up. With the right help and a willingness to keep going, it’s possible to bounce back stronger than ever.
