How Lauryn Hill Achieved a Net Worth of $9 Million

Lauryn Hill is a singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actress who began her career in entertainment in 1988. Due to the longevity of her career and her success in various fields, the artist has become very wealthy. It is estimated that Lauryn Hills’ net worth is approximately $9 million, and here is how she got so rich.

Lauryn Hill’s Childhood

Lauryn Hill was born in Newark, New Jersey, on May 26, 1975. Although her parents were not in musical professions, Hill has said that she and her brother grew up surrounded by music. Their father sang as an amateur at weddings and in local clubs, and her mother played the piano. It was also common for the family to listen to the music of popular artists of the time at home, such as Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield. Hill began performing as a child, and one of her most notable childhood performances was singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the beginning of a basketball game. She was also a contestant in ‘Its Showtime at the Apollo’ in 1988. Music was not Hill’s only talent, as she also showed talent academically and athletically. While she was a student at Columbia High School, she was an A-grade student who took advanced placement classes, became the leader of the student body, joined the cheerleading squad, and was on the track team. Hill also took violin lessons and founded her school’s gospel choir.

The Fugees

While still in high school, Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel created a music group with Lauryn Hill called Translator Group. Originally, there was an additional female vocalist, but she was replaced by Wyclef Jean. Although Hill was only a singer, in the beginning, she taught herself to rap. The group then changed its name to the Fugees. They signed with Columbia/Ruffhouse Records in 1993. The Fugees debut album ‘Blunted on Reality’ was released in 1994. Unfortunately, it was not well received, and this was partly due to the producers telling the group to create a gangsta rap image. The second album, ‘The Score,’ was released in 1996, and this time, the group had more success. It peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, sold 22 million copies, and won two Grammy Awards. From the album, the Fugees released the single ‘Killing Me Softly.’

Hill’s Solo Career

In 1998, Lauryn Hill decided to establish herself as a solo artist. Hill’s debut solo album was ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,’ which has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. It also won multiple awards, including an MTV Music Award, a Billboard Award, a Soul Train Award, three American Music Awards, and five Grammy Awards. Hill struggled to handle her celebrity status, so she took a break from the entertainment industry. Therefore, she did not release any more music for four years. The singer-songwriter made her return on MTV with a two-hour recording of her acoustic performance. It was then released as an album called ‘MTV Unplugged No. 2.0.’

During the 2000s, Lauryn Hill toured as a solo artist and performed at various events. The Fugees also briefly reunited for tours and embarked on a tour of Europe in 2005. However, there were unresolved tensions within the group, so the reunion came to an end before they could release another album. Throughout the 2000s, Hill had continued to record music, none of which had been released. It meant that she had accumulated plenty of material to create a third solo album. In 2007, she released the album ‘Ms. Hill,’ which contained many of her unreleased songs, along with some soundtrack contributions and cuts from tracks that appeared on ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.’ In 2013, Hill released the single ‘Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix). Since the release of the single, Lauryn Hill has not released any further albums. However, Rohan Marley, her former partner, claims that she continues to write music and has plenty of material if she decides to release another album.

Her Acting Career

Lauryn Hill began her acting career with a recurring role in the television series ‘As the World Turns’ in 1991. The following year, she made a single appearance in ‘Here and Now, then in 1993, she was in one episode of ‘King of the Hill.’ It is her film debut for which Lauryn Hill is best known as an actress. Her first film was starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the 1993musical comedy film ‘Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.’ Hill’s other acting credits include ‘ABC Afternoon Specials’ ‘Restaurant,’ ‘Hav Plenty,’ and ‘Concerning Violence.’

Lauryn Hill’s Net Worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lauryn Hill’s net worth is $9 million. The performer has predominantly made her money through her work in the music industry. However, she has also made money from acting and various other ventures. There was some controversy surrounding Hill’s earnings, as she was charged with three counts of tax fraud in 2012. The charges related to $1.8 million of income from 2005 to 2007. During that period, Hill earned money from royalties and from touring. After failing to pay back the money she owed, Hill was sentenced to three months in prison in 2013. After Hill’s release, she was on a probationary period at home. While in prison, Marley had temporary custody of their five children, and Hill’s youngest son remained with Hill’s mother.

Hill’s Relationships and Children

Lauryn Hill was in a long-term relationship with Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley, from 1996 to 2009, although they were never married. Together, they had five children, sons Zion David, Joshua Omaru, and John Nesta, and daughters Selah Louise and Sarah. From a later relationship, Biography.com says that Hill also has a son called Micah, who was born in 2011.