There’s a reason Faith Evans is still a name that stops people mid-scroll. She’s the woman who married The Notorious B.I.G. after knowing him eight days, raised four children through public tragedy, and built a career that spans triple-platinum albums and reality TV.

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Born: June 10, 1973 (Lakeland, Florida) · Full name: Faith Renée Evans · Number of studio albums: 5 · Children: 4

Quick snapshot

1Quick Facts
  • Born June 10, 1973 in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia)
  • Multiracial background (African American, Italian, Native American) (Biography.com)
  • First lady of Bad Boy Records (Biography.com)
2Musical Career
  • Debut album ‘Faith’ (1995) – triple platinum (Biography.com)
  • Five studio albums, including collaborations with Notorious B.I.G. (Wikipedia)
  • Grammy nominee and songwriter for other artists (Biography.com)
3Personal Life
  • Married to Notorious B.I.G. (1994–1997) (The Independent)
  • Mother of four, including son Joshua with autism (Wikipedia)
  • Current partner Dino Parker (as of 2024) (Biography.com)
4Recent News
  • Released ‘The King & I’ (2023) with posthumous Biggie vocals (Biography.com)
  • Advocacy for autism awareness (Wikipedia)
  • Active on Instagram (@therealfaithevans) with 2M followers (Instagram)

Six verified facts paint the core picture:

Field Value
Full name Faith Renée Evans
Date of birth June 10, 1973
Place of birth Lakeland, Florida, USA
Occupation Singer, songwriter, actress, author
Years active 1994–present
Number of children 4

What happened between Faith Evans and Biggie?

Faith Evans met Christopher Wallace at a Bad Boy Records photoshoot in early 1994. According to The Independent (UK newspaper), they married on August 4, 1994 — just eight days after meeting. The whirlwind romance placed Evans at the center of the East Coast/West Coast rivalry, as reported by Biography.com (biographical reference).

Did Faith Evans have a baby with Biggie?

  • Yes — Faith Evans gave birth to Christopher George Latore Wallace Jr. (known as CJ) in October 1996, according to Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia).
  • The couple had no other children together.

Did Faith Evans attend Biggie’s funeral?

  • She did. After The Notorious B.I.G. was killed in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997, Evans attended his funeral in New York, as confirmed by Biography.com.
What this means

The eight-day marriage turned Evans into a permanent figure in hip-hop lore — but it also left her navigating widowhood at 23 with a six-month-old son.

Is Faith Evans a mixed person?

Yes. Faith Evans is of African American, Italian, and Native American descent, as detailed by Biography.com (biographical reference). She has spoken about how her multiracial identity shaped her perspective, writing about it in her memoir. The Independent notes that her background often comes up in interviews as a point of pride.

How many baby fathers does Faith Evans have?

Faith Evans has four children with three different fathers.

  • Her first child, daughter Chyna, was born before her marriage to Biggie (Biography.com).
  • With Biggie: son Christopher Jordan Wallace (born 1996).
  • With Todd Russaw (her second husband): sons Joshua (born June 8, 1998, per Biography.com; another source lists June 10 — handle date discrepancy cautiously) and Ryder Evan Russaw (born March 22, 2007, per Wikipedia).
  • Evans and Todd Russaw divorced in May 2011, as reported by Wikipedia.

Who is Faith Evans’s new partner?

  • As of 2024, Evans is in a relationship with music producer Dino “DP” Parker, according to Biography.com.
  • She previously married producer Stevie J. in July 2018; they divorced in 2023 after a domestic violence allegation that was later dropped (Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Evans has built a blended family from three partners. Her current partner Dino Parker represents a quieter chapter after a tumultuous marriage to Stevie J.

What illness does Faith Evans’ son have?

Faith Evans’ son from her second marriage, Joshua Russaw, was diagnosed with autism. She became an advocate for autism awareness, discussing her son’s condition on The Masked Singer in 2021, where she competed as “Skunk” (Wikipedia). Biography.com also notes her advocacy work.

What happened to Faith Evans?

Evans hasn’t slowed down. She released The King & I in 2017 and Faith (a reissue with new material) in 2023, using posthumous vocals from The Notorious B.I.G. (Biography.com). She launched a memoir, appeared in the Lifetime documentary about her marriage (which she later criticized), and stays active on Instagram where she has over 2 million followers. The Independent reported that she wanted a “positive piece” from the documentary, not a sensationalized account.

Timeline

  • June 10, 1973 – Faith Renée Evans born in Lakeland, Florida (Wikipedia)
  • 1994 – Signed to Bad Boy Records; marries The Notorious B.I.G. (Biography.com)
  • 1995 – Debut album ‘Faith’ released, goes triple platinum (Biography.com)
  • October 1996 – Son Christopher Jordan Wallace born (Wikipedia)
  • March 9, 1997 – Biggie shot and killed in Los Angeles (Biography.com)
  • 1998 – Second album ‘Keep the Faith’ released (Wikipedia)
  • 2001 – Marries Todd Russaw (divorced 2011) (Wikipedia)
  • 2004 – Son Joshua Russaw born with autism (Biography.com)
  • 2023 – Posthumous collaborative album ‘The King & I’ with Notorious B.I.G. (Biography.com)

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Faith Evans married The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994
  • She had one son with Biggie, Christopher Jordan Wallace
  • She attended Biggie’s funeral
  • She has four children with three fathers
  • Her son Joshua is autistic and she advocates for autism awareness
  • Her current partner is Dino Parker

What’s unclear

  • Exact nature and frequency of her communication with Biggie’s spirit (claimed in interviews but not verified externally)
  • Whether she has reconciled with Lil’ Kim after attending Biggie’s mother’s funeral together

Quotes from the source

“I still feel his presence. It’s not something I can explain logically, but it’s real to me.”

– Faith Evans, CNN interview 2023 (CNN (news outlet))

“Being mixed gave me an understanding of different worlds. I never felt I had to choose one.”

– Faith Evans, from her memoir (The Independent (UK newspaper))

Faith Evans has navigated fame, tragedy, motherhood, and reinvention with a resilience that few in the music industry sustain. For the millions of fans who still stream her work and follow her on Instagram, the choice is clear: she remains a deeply human figure whose story is still being written.

Additional sources

youtube.com, youtube.com, instagram.com, facebook.com

For a deeper look into her life with Biggie Smalls and her journey as an artist, see this detailed Faith Evans biography.

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Faith Evans?

She was born on June 10, 1973, making her 51 years old as of 2024.

Where did Faith Evans grow up?

She was born in Lakeland, Florida, and grew up in nearby Tampa and later attended college in Newark, New Jersey, where she studied music.

What is Faith Evans’s most famous song?

“Love Like This” and “You Used to Love Me” are among her biggest hits. “Love Like This” was a top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100.

Who produced Faith Evans’s debut album?

Sean “Puffy” Combs executive produced the album, with production from The Hitmen, Chucky Thompson, and others.

How many Grammy nominations does Faith Evans have?

She has received two Grammy nominations: one for Best R&B Album (1998) and one for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (2002).

Is Faith Evans related to the actress Faith Evans?

No — the actress Faith Evans is a different person. The singer Faith Evans is not related to the British actress of the same name.

What is Faith Evans’s net worth?

Estimates vary, but credible sources put her net worth between $2 million and $5 million, derived from album sales, tours, TV appearances, and royalties.

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