Introduction
Biggie Smalls wife was Faith Renée Evans, an American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer born on June 10, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida. Christopher Wallace, better known as Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G., became one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop history through albums such as Ready to Die and Life After Death.
Biggie and Faith Evans met through Bad Boy Records in 1994 and married only eight days after meeting. Their relationship was brief and complicated, but it remained an important part of both their personal stories and hip-hop history. The couple welcomed their son, Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace Jr., in October 1996.
This article looks at Faith Evans’ early life, education, music career, relationship with Biggie, their marriage, family, and the legacy they created together. It also answers common questions about Biggie Smalls wife and their only child.
Who Is Faith Renée Evans?
Faith Renée Evans is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, author, and entrepreneur. She was born on June 10, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida, and was raised largely in Newark, New Jersey. Her musical talent became apparent at a young age, and she performed gospel music before building a professional career in R&B.
Evans was known for her powerful soprano voice and songwriting ability. Her early musical experiences helped prepare her for a career that would eventually include multiple platinum-certified albums and a Grammy Award.
Education also played an important role in her early life. After graduating from high school in 1991, Evans attended Fordham University in New York on a full scholarship. She studied marketing but left the university after about a year as she pursued opportunities in music.
Before becoming famous, Evans worked as a background vocalist and songwriter. She sang on demo recordings and worked with artists including Al B. Sure!, Christopher Williams, Mary J. Blige, and Usher. Her songwriting skills eventually brought her to the attention of Sean “Puffy” Combs, who signed her to Bad Boy Records in 1994.
That signing made Evans the label’s first female artist. Her professional connection to Bad Boy also brought her into the orbit of Christopher Wallace, creating the relationship that would become one of the most discussed marriages in hip-hop history.
Faith Evans’ Career & Professional Life
Faith Evans developed a successful career independent of her marriage to Biggie. After joining Bad Boy Records, she became known as the label’s “First Lady” and contributed vocals and songwriting to several projects. Her work with major R&B and hip-hop artists helped establish her reputation before the release of her debut album.
Her first studio album, Faith, arrived in 1995. The album produced successful singles including “You Used to Love Me” and “Soon as I Get Home” and eventually earned platinum certification in the United States. She followed it with Keep the Faith in 1998 and Faithfully in 2001, both of which also became platinum-certified albums.
One of the defining moments of Evans’ career came after Biggie’s death. She collaborated with Puff Daddy and 112 on “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute to the late rapper. The song became a major international success and earned Evans a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998.
Evans has also worked as an author, entrepreneur, television executive producer, and advocate. Her official biography describes a career spanning more than two decades, with eight studio albums, more than 30 singles, and numerous soundtrack and guest appearances.
A reliable current net-worth figure is difficult to establish because Evans’ finances, business interests, music royalties, and catalog-related income are not fully public. Therefore, specific online estimates should be treated cautiously rather than presented as confirmed figures.
How Did Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans Meet?
Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans met in 1994 through Bad Boy Records. At the time, both were connected to the rising New York-based label, and Evans was beginning her own career as a recording artist. They met at a Bad Boy photo shoot and quickly developed a romantic relationship.
Their courtship was remarkably short. According to biographical accounts, the pair married just eight days after meeting. The speed of the relationship later became a significant part of their story, particularly because both were young and their music careers were developing rapidly.
Biggie was 22 when he married Evans, while Evans was 21. Their wedding took place on August 4, 1994, in Rockland County, New York. Evans later recalled the unconventional nature of their wedding day, including the fact that they stopped at a diner for food afterward.
The marriage soon faced difficulties. Biggie’s demanding career kept him away from home, while Evans was working on her debut album. Reports and later accounts also described infidelity and tensions involving other women in Biggie’s life.
Despite their problems, the relationship produced a lasting family connection. Evans and Biggie eventually welcomed their son, Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace Jr., in October 1996.
Biggie and Evans were still married when he was killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. He was only 24 years old. Although the couple had experienced periods of separation and were reportedly estranged around the time of his death, Evans remained his widow and continued to play a role in preserving his legacy.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans married on August 4, 1994, in Rockland County, New York. Their wedding happened only eight days after their first meeting, making the marriage one of the fastest celebrity romances of its era.
Their wedding was far from a traditional celebrity ceremony. Evans later described wearing a sleeveless white dress while Biggie wore jeans and Timberland boots. After the ceremony, the newlyweds reportedly stopped at a diner before going their separate ways for their immediate responsibilities.
The couple’s marriage lasted until Biggie’s death in March 1997. Their relationship included periods of separation and significant personal challenges, but they remained legally married when he died. Their son, C.J., was born several months before Biggie’s death.
Children & Family Life
Biggie and Faith Evans had one child together, Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace Jr., who was born on October 29, 1996. He was their only child as a couple and was only a few months old when Biggie died in March 1997.
Biggie also had a daughter, Tyanna Wallace, with his high-school sweetheart Jan Jackson. This means he was the father of two children: Tyanna and C.J.
Faith Evans had a daughter, Chyna Tahjere Griffin, before her marriage to Biggie. She later had two additional sons, Joshua and Ryder, making C.J. part of a larger blended family.
Following Biggie’s death, Evans continued building her own career while raising her children. Her official biography describes motherhood as one of the most important parts of her life and notes her work supporting children and families through her Ryder’s Room foundation.
The family has also remained connected to Biggie’s legacy. In recent years, Evans has been involved in business and intellectual-property matters concerning the late rapper’s catalog and legacy. In 2007, she and Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace, co-founded Notorious B.I.G., LLC to manage his intellectual property.
Faith Evans on Social Media
Faith Evans maintains a public presence online, where she can share updates related to music, appearances, family, and her professional activities. Her social-media activity has also helped her remain connected with fans who have followed her career since the 1990s.
Exact follower numbers can change frequently, so a fixed figure should not be treated as permanent. Rather than focusing on a specific count, her social presence is best understood as another way she communicates directly with fans and promotes her work.
Her online identity reflects both sides of her public life: an established R&B artist with a long independent career and the widow of one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Faith Renée Evans |
| Date of Birth | June 10, 1973 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, record producer, author, entrepreneur |
| Married to | Christopher “Biggie Smalls” Wallace |
| Marriage Year | 1994 |
| Children | 4 children overall; 1 with Biggie |
| Child with Biggie | Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace Jr. |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Frequently Asked Questions About Biggie Smalls Wife
Q: What is Biggie’s wife name?
A: Biggie Smalls’ wife was Faith Renée Evans, the American R&B singer and songwriter.
They married on August 4, 1994, and remained married until Biggie’s death in March 1997.
Q: How old is Faith Evans?
A: Faith Evans was born on June 10, 1973, in Lakeland, Florida.
As of August 2026, she is 53 years old.
Q: What does Faith Evans do for a living?
A: Faith Evans is a singer, songwriter, record producer, author, and entrepreneur.
She has released multiple platinum-certified albums and won a Grammy Award for “I’ll Be Missing You.”
Q: When did Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans get married?
A: Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans married on August 4, 1994, in Rockland County, New York.
They had met only eight days earlier at a Bad Boy Records photo shoot.
Q: How many kids did Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans have?
A: Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans had one child together, Christopher Jordan “C.J.” Wallace Jr.
He was born on October 29, 1996. Biggie also had a daughter, Tyanna, with Jan Jackson.
Conclusion
Faith Renée Evans was much more than Biggie Smalls’ wife. She built a respected career as an R&B singer, songwriter, producer, author, and entrepreneur, while also becoming an important figure in preserving Biggie’s musical legacy. Their marriage began quickly in 1994, and although it faced serious challenges, it created a lasting family connection through their son, C.J. Evans later honored Biggie through her music, particularly the Grammy-winning tribute “I’ll Be Missing You.” Today, the story of Biggie Smalls wife remains closely connected to both hip-hop history and Faith Evans’ own remarkable career.
