Anita Baker has a net worth of $40 million as a jazz singer, soul singer, and songwriter in the United States. Anita Baker is a singer-songwriter from the United States who is best known for her romantic R&B ballads.
She began her career as a member of the funk band Chapter 8 in the late 1970s, and her first solo album was released in 1983. Her second album, the Platinum-selling “Rapture,” catapulted her to popularity in 1986; she has since received a slew of Grammy Awards and released many Platinum- and Gold-certified albums.
Early Life and Career Beginnings of Anita Baker
In the year 1958, Anita Denise Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio. She was raised by a foster family in Detroit, Michigan after her mother abandoned her when she was two years old. Her foster parents died when she was twelve, and she was placed in the care of her foster sister. Baker was already performing R&B at nightclubs in the city when she was sixteen years old.
During this period, bandleader David Washington found her and offered her to audition for Chapter 8, which she joined in 1975. Baker traveled with the band until signing a contract with Ariola Records in 1979. The tune “Ready for Your Love,” a duet between Baker and Gerald Lyles, appeared on Chapter 8’s debut self-titled album.
Ariola was purchased by Arista Records later that year, and Chapter 8 was booted from the label after the label claimed Baker lacked star potential. Baker returned to Detroit to work as a receptionist and waiter as a result of this. Then, in 1982, Baker was persuaded by old Ariola collaborator Otis Smith to start a solo career under his Beverly Glen label.
Detroit.
Some of You stood in Line, Early Outside… at An *Actual Box Office*, for your Tix. Some of you, ARE in line/ONLINE, at the Virtual Box Office. Wiping tears from my eyes, this morning.
ABXO🎼🎶 pic.twitter.com/xXyt8UpMZ3— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 3, 2022
Debuting as a Solo Artist and Early Success
Baker’s debut solo album, “The Songstress,” was published in 1983. “Will You Be Mine,” “No More Tears,” “You’re the Best Thing Yet,” and “Angel” were among the album’s four singles. Baker’s first top 10 hit was the latter, which reached number five on the R&B charts. Baker said that despite her success, she was not paid royalties for her work.
Baker attempted to leave the label as a result, but Otis Smith sued him for breach of contract. Baker won her lawsuit against Smith after a months-long court struggle, and she was allowed to record for other labels. She then signed with Elektra Records, a Warner Music Group subsidiary, and began work on her next album.
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Baker’s second album, “Rapture,” released in March 1986, catapulted her to international acclaim. “Watch Your Step,” the album’s first song, didn’t exactly set the charts on fire at first. Baker’s first pop hit was the mid-tempo ballad “Sweet Love,” which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and made it into the UK Top 20.
“Caught Up in the Rapture,” “Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year),” and “No One in the World” were all popular songs from “Rapture.” Baker went on tour the following year to promote the album, which had sold over eight million copies worldwide by 1988 and garnered Baker two Grammy Awards.
Musical Triumphs of Anita Baker
Baker earned a Grammy for her contribution to The Winans’ “Ain’t No Need to Worry” in 1987. Her third album, “Giving You the Best That I Got,” was released the following year and was an instant hit. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to sell five million copies worldwide.
Meanwhile, the title tune became Baker’s most successful charted hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B and adult contemporary charts. “Just Because,” her follow-up single, earned another R&B chart-topper, while “Lead Me Into Love” in the R&B top ten. All in all, “Giving You the Best That I Got” was Baker’s first and only number one pop album in the United States, earning him three Grammy Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.
When your friends just show up ♥️ https://t.co/7KA5AHHEO1
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) June 6, 2022
Continued Success In The 90s
Baker’s success continued with the 1990 album “Compositions,” on which she began to incorporate more jazz influences. “Soul Inspiration,” “Fairy Tales,” and “Talk to Me” are among the singles from this album. Baker took a break from the music industry after wrapping up the album’s promotion in 1991.
In 1994, she returned to the charts with “Rhythm of Love,” which featured “Body and Soul,” her first top 40 pop success in five years. Baker earned her ninth Grammy Award for the album’s second hit, “I Apologize.” Meanwhile, the album went Platinum for the fourth time in Baker’s career.
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Baker’s album “My Everything” was certified Gold for the first time in late 2004. It charted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the R&B charts. Her 2005 CD “Christmas Fantasy” and her 2012 version of Tyrese’s “Lately” were later hits. The later song made headlines as it was played on adult contemporary radio every hour of the day. Baker was inducted into the Michigan Rock & Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2013 in honor of her achievements.
Anita Baker’s Personal Life
On December 14th, 1988, Anita Baker married Walter Bridgeforth Jr. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 2005, and the divorce was formalized two years later. Walter Broke Bridgeforth and Edward Carlton Bridgeforth are the couple’s two sons. She currently resides in the city of Grosse Pointe Park in the state of Michigan. Her first child is a Music Production & Engineering major at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
After 5 years of divorce, she sought a legal name change, returning to Baker after many years as Bridgeforth. During the Democratic presidential primary in 2020, she publicly endorsed presidential contender Andrew Yang.
Anita Baker’s Net Worth
Anita Baker has a net worth of $40 million and is a well-known American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and soul singer. She is a singer-songwriter from the United States who is known for her passionate R&B ballads.
She began her musical career as a member of the funk group Chapter 8 in the late 1970s, finally releasing her first solo album in 1983. “Rapture,” her next album, was released in 1986. The album was certified platinum and catapulted her to stardom. She has won many Grammy awards, had multiple Platinum-certified tracks, and a Gold-certified album since her debut.
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Anita Baker’s Honours and Awards
The Michigan Rock & Roll Legends Hall of Fame inducted Anita Baker in 2013. The Black Entertainment Network awarded her with a BET Award in 2001 for honoring African Americans in music, athletics, acting, and other realms of entertainment.
The awards are given out once a year and are broadcast on BET. At the 2018 BET Awards, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences bestows Grammy awards, and she has had 18 nominations. She has won eight times out of her 18 nominations.
Assets And Lifestyle
Anita Baker’s net worth is currently believed to be $80 million, as previously indicated. She has been able to live a decent lifestyle because of her fortune. She is currently based in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, United States of America. She purchased the house she presently lives in 1993 for $2,200,000. In 2014, the market value of her 7,324-square-foot home was $1,800,000.
Anita’s vast money has enabled her to live a nice lifestyle. She also supports Andrew Yang for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. She can live a comfortable and opulent lifestyle because of her multi-million dollar inheritance.
What Is Singer Anita Baker Doing Now?
On Twitter, the R&B soul veteran teased the news. Baker, Anita Anita Baker, the inimitable, came to Twitter to celebrate her birthday and surprise fans by announcing her long-awaited comeback to the stage. She will begin performing in Las Vegas in May 2022.
