Mary J. Blige is 53 and feeling fine! See her very best photos of all time right here.
Mary J. Blige was born on January 11, 1971, in the New York City borough of the Bronx to mother Cora, a nurse, and father Thomas, a jazz musician. She was later raised in the historic Savannah, Georgia where she began singing in a church before moving back to the state of New York.
During that period of the late 1980s, she began pursuing her musical career – which included an early cover of Anita Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture.” Based on that, she was signed to Uptown Records where she released her 1992 debut album ‘What’s the 411?’ followed by 1993’s ‘My Life.’
Over the course of her career, Mary J. Blige has released 13 studio albums and become one of the most successful recording artists in history with 100 million albums sold. She’s won nine Grammy Awards, along with four AMAs, 12 Billboard Awards, and on Feb. 13 will have the honor of performing at the Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.
Want to know more? Look back on Mary J’s iconic career in photos here.
1 of 27Mary J. Blige Performs in 1993Pat Johnson/Shutterstock
Mary J. Blige is seen on-stage at the KMEL Summer Jam in 1993. The singer had released her first two albums by then, What’s the 411? and My Life.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM2 of 27Mary J. Blige at the ‘Men in Black’ Soundtrack Premiere
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Mary J. Blige is seen heading to the launch party of the Men In Black soundtrack in 1997. She stunned in a red tank top and matching pants for the event, which was held in NYC.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM3 of 27Mary J. Blige in 1997
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Mary J. Blige is pictured in 1997, the same year she released her third album Share My World. The singer was casual in a gray t-shirt.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM4 of 27Mary J. Blige in 1999
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Mary J Blige is seen on stage in 1999, shortly after the release of her self-titled fourth album Mary. The project marked a sonic change for the R&B artist as she embraced an adult contemporary vibe.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM5 of 27Mary J. Blige at a 1999 MTV Event
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Mary J. Blige is seen posing at the arrivals for an MTV party in 1999. She was stylish in a white logo t-shirt by Versace and white pants, along with a fur jacket.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM6 of 27Mary J. Blige at the Re-opening Of Radio City Music Hall
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Mary J. Blige walks the red carpet for the re-opening of the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Her outfit was quintessential 1999 with a ankle length black pant and vest, along with a white turtleneck underneath.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM7 of 27Mary J. Blige on BBC
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Mary J. Blige is seen during a televised performance on the BBC’s Later With Jools Holland in Nov. 1999. She sported her signature bright red hair and a fur jacket for the appearance.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM8 of 27Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin at an NFL Party
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Mary J. Blige and legend Aretha Franklin are seen during a candid moment at NFL Kickfoff Life presented by Pepsi in Sept. 2003. Mary was on top of the world during the time frame, fresh off the success of her single Family Affair in 2002.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM9 of 27Mary J. Blige at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
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Mary J. Blige performs at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Nov. 2003, which was held at the Lexington Avenue Armory in Nov. 2003. She sizzled in a fitted satin brown mini dress with a deep plunge.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM10 of 27Mary J. Blige on ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’
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Mary J. Blige made an appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross back in 2007. She performed songs from her album ‘Growing Pains’, released earlier that same year, live.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM11 of 27Mary J. Blige at VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul
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Mary J. Blige was a vision in white as she arrived for VH1 Divas special event Celebrates Soul. The singer rocked a short blonde bob as she posed with both hands on her hips.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM12 of 27Mary J. Blige at the 2019 BET Awards
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Mary J. Blige arrives for the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. She looked incredible in a plunging sequin dress.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM13 of 27Mary J. Blige Performs at the 2019 BET Awards
Mary J. Blige performs during the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. She performed a medley of her biggest hits from the early 90s to today. The star also looked incredible in an all-white outfit.
Mary J. Blige Accepts a BET AwardJim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock
Mary J. Blige earned 2019’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards. Here she’s seen on stage accepting the honor and thanking her fans and supporters.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM15 of 27Mary J. Blige Gets Inducted into The Apollo Theater Walk of Fame
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Mary J. Blige is proudly inducted at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NYC in May 2021. The singer dazzled in a zebra print green and black dress and layered jewelry.
September 30, 2021, 8:20PM16 of 27Mary J. Blige Films ‘Power Book II: Ghost’
Mary J. Blige is seen filming Power Book II: Ghost in New York in July 2021. Her red hair was dramatically longer for the role.
