The Braxton family has long been in the public eye, not only for their musical talents but also for their personal and financial dramas.
Recently, Tamar Braxton opened up about the immense financial burden her sister Toni Braxton has carried for the family, revealing details about Toni’s multiple bankruptcies and health struggles.
Adding to the intrigue is Toni’s brief and controversial marriage to rapper Birdman, which lasted just two days and sparked rumors about the true motivations behind the union.
This article dives deep into Toni Braxton’s financial hardships, her health battles, the family dynamics, and the shocking details surrounding her short-lived marriage to Birdman.
Toni Braxton is an iconic figure in the music industry, with an impressive career spanning decades.
She began singing with her sisters in the late 1980s and quickly rose to solo stardom after releasing her debut album in 1993.
That album was an instant hit, climbing to number one on the Billboard 200 and selling over 10 million copies worldwide.
Hit singles like “Breathe Again” and “Another Sad Love Song” helped cement her status as a powerhouse vocalist.
Her follow-up album, *Secrets*, featured the smash hit “Unbreak My Heart,” which sold 10 million copies globally and remains one of the most successful singles ever released.
Despite her massive success, including over $170 million in record sales, Toni Braxton faced severe financial difficulties behind the scenes.
Toni revealed that despite generating millions for her record label, Arista, she earned very little for herself.
Due to unfavorable contract terms, she received less than $2,000 in royalties and was burdened with reimbursing the label for expenses like clothes, travel, studio time, and music videos.
This exploitation led Toni to file for bankruptcy more than once, first in 1998 and again in 2010.
Toni’s financial woes were compounded by serious health issues.
She was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that severely affected her ability to work.
In 2010, she had to cancel a lucrative Las Vegas show contract due to her illness, which further strained her finances.
The cancellation left her responsible for costs that insurance wouldn’t cover, forcing her to pay out of pocket and contributing to her second bankruptcy filing.
Additionally, Toni battled microvascular angina, a heart condition that added to her health challenges.
Despite these difficulties, Toni continued to support her family financially, often carrying the entire household’s burden.
Tamar Braxton spoke candidly about the family dynamics, revealing that Toni was the only sibling who consistently helped take care of their mother and managed family expenses.
Tamar expressed frustration that none of the other siblings contributed financially or helped with caregiving duties.
Toni’s financial support extended beyond their mother, as she provided for the entire family, often at great personal cost.
Tamar also highlighted how some of their sisters demanded payment for working for Toni, while Tamar herself did not ask for money when helping with background vocals.
Toni expected her sisters to contribute in non-financial ways, such as helping take care of their mother and household tasks, but Tamar noted that they rarely lifted a finger.
This dynamic added to Toni’s stress and exhaustion, as she bore the weight of responsibility largely alone.
Tamar emphasized that this heavy burden drained Toni emotionally and physically.
In the midst of her struggles, Toni Braxton found companionship in rapper Birdman, whose real name is Bryan Williams.
The two had been friends for over 15 years before their relationship turned romantic around 2016.
Toni shared in interviews how Birdman was a constant source of support, attending her shows, baby showers, and other events, and offering comfort during her health battles.
Toni described Birdman as someone who understood her lupus and never made her feel like she had to pretend to be strong all the time.
Their relationship was characterized by mutual care and understanding, with Birdman reportedly proposing to Toni and the couple planning a wedding.
Toni revealed that they almost set two wedding dates, but family drama and work commitments kept postponing the ceremony.
She envisioned an elegant, vintage-themed wedding inspired by the 1920s and 1930s, with some playful touches like macaroni and cheese balls on the menu.
However, the wedding never materialized.
Rumors began swirling that Toni and Birdman had secretly married and then separated just two days later.
Court documents later confirmed that Toni and Birdman married on August 8th and separated on August 10th, with Toni filing for divorce two weeks after the brief union.
The brevity of Toni and Birdman’s marriage sparked widespread speculation.
Many wondered whether Toni had married Birdman for financial reasons, especially given her ongoing money troubles.
This rumor was fueled by the timing of the marriage and divorce, as well as Toni’s history of financial hardship.
While there is no concrete evidence to prove these claims, the speculation persists in public conversations.
Tamar Braxton remains the only family member publicly known to be actively supporting Toni financially, continuing the pattern of being the primary helper in the family.
Toni’s financial struggles did not end with her bankruptcies and health issues.
In 2019, the Internal Revenue Service filed a lien against her for over $340,000 in back taxes from 2017, and the California Franchise Tax Board added another lien exceeding $116,000.
These liens brought her total tax debt close to half a million dollars.
Despite these challenges, Toni continued to work and maintain her career as best she could, though the financial pressures remained significant.
Throughout the turmoil, Tamar Braxton has been vocal about supporting Toni.
She has helped with bills and caregiving responsibilities, often without expecting anything in return.
Tamar’s dedication contrasts sharply with the rest of the family, who have been criticized for not contributing as much, either financially or with caregiving.
Tamar’s willingness to step up has been a lifeline for Toni, and she has expressed frustration and sadness over the lack of support from their other siblings.
Toni Braxton’s story is one of incredible talent, resilience, and complex family dynamics.
Despite her legendary status and successful career, she has faced significant financial exploitation, health challenges, and personal struggles.
Her brief marriage to Birdman added another layer of mystery and controversy to her life story.
The Braxton family drama, as revealed by Tamar, highlights the burdens Toni has carried, both financially and emotionally.
It also sheds light on the realities many artists face behind the scenes—success and fame do not always translate to financial security or personal peace.
As Toni continues to navigate her career, health, and family relationships, fans and observers watch closely, hoping for her continued strength and happiness.
Tamar’s support remains a crucial pillar in Toni’s life, a testament to sisterly love amid hardship.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
