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Voletta Wallace, the mother of rapper Christopher Wallace—known as the Notorious B.I.G.—died on February 21, 2025, at age 78. She died at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, after receiving hospice care, the Associated Press reported. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac told the AP that her death was from natural causes.
What happened to Voletta Wallace?
Wallace’s family announced her death on its Facebook page. In a statement reported by the Los Angeles Times, the family called her “our mother, our matriarch” and remembered her dedication to uplifting her son and preserving his legacy. The AP also reported her age at death as 78; the age of 72 in the original headline is incorrect.
How Voletta Wallace preserved Biggie’s legacy
Educational work through a memorial foundation
After her son’s death, Wallace launched the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation to provide educational resources for children, according to the Associated Press.
A role in a documentary about her son
Wallace was an executive producer of the 2021 Netflix documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell. Her involvement connected her work safeguarding her son’s story with a film that revisits his life and music.
#1 Best Overall
- Notorious B.I.G.- Ready To Die
From dismissing the music to finding meaning in it
The AP reported that Wallace initially called her son’s music “noise,” but later described listening to it as therapeutic. That change reflected a personal relationship to the music as well as her public role in protecting his legacy.
The music and the legacy she helped protect
Christopher Wallace became one of rap’s defining artists as the Notorious B.I.G. His 1994 debut album, Ready to Die, had sold more than six million units by the Recording Industry Association of America’s 2018 figure, as reported by the AP. The AP also reported more than 11 million units for Life After Death, without specifying a year for that figure.
Wallace’s work as a foundation founder and documentary executive producer was distinct from her son’s music: her contribution was to preserve his story and support educational opportunities in his name.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Her legal efforts after her son’s killing
Wallace also pursued legal action seeking accountability for her son’s 1997 killing, the AP reported. The available reporting does not establish the full details or outcomes of those cases, so allegations should not be treated as court findings.
Quick Recap
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- Officially Licensed Merch
- High Quality Print and Material
- Ready to Die Graphic
Rank #4
- New from Funko Pop! Albums Notorious B I G - Ready to Die with Hard Shell Case
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Rank #3
- Platinum certification for 'Juicy'
- Peaked at No. 27 on Billboard Hot 100
- Achieved 6x platinum status
- GRAMMY nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance
- Top chart hits: 'Ready To Die', 'One More Chance', 'Suicidal Thoughts'
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