Looking Back On Alicia Keys' Rise to Fame and Fortune

Lovers of music around the world are familiar with the name Alicia Keys. The singer-songwriter is a multiple Grammy Award-winner whose first album, "Songs in A Minor," went platinum five times over.

Since then, she churned out more albums, which had hit singles that won the artist several accolades. However, her rise to the top was not a day's journey. Keys' storied career spans over two decades, from her days singing in the Bronx to topping music charts.

Her unique skill of being a classically trained pianist sets her apart as she has interlaced it with her music from time to time.

In all, the artiste has earned fame, wealth, and accolades for her musical contributions. Here is a look at her journey through music and her worth after many years in the entertainment industry.

Keys spent her formative years with her mother in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City. While growing up, the future star fell in love with the piano and started taking lessons at age seven. Her unique singing voice also encouraged her to write songs, which prepared her for a superstar career.

At age 13, Keys met music manager Jeff Robinson who considered her the real deal and took her under his wings. He helped her prepare songs and demos, which she showcased to music labels to get a contract and start her career.

Although she eventually got signed to Columbia Records, Keys left due to a difference in artistic vision. Next up, she joined A&R at Arista Records for a while, then moved to J Records, where her creative mind was left to fly.

At J Records, she released her debut album "Songs Of A Minor" amid critical acclaim. She followed it with "A Woman's Worth," "The Diary of Alicia Keys," "Unplugged," "As I Am," and "Girl on Fire." All her albums received positive responses from the public. As of today, Keys is one of the highest-grossing artists in America.

A look at Keys and her partner Kasseem Dean's mansion in Englewood, New Jersey, says a lot about her net worth. As per SK POP, the 25,000 sq. ft. house with 32 rooms was worth $12.1 million in 2013.

Before the 2013 purchase, the pair owned an NYC apartment worth $14.5 and sold it to buy their Englewood home. The pair also recently landed another mansion in La Jolla worth $20.8 million.

Their home contains numerous artworks and luxurious cars, which connotes the immense wealth she accrued over her career.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Keys has an estimated worth of $150 million as of 2021. Her riches stem mainly from her singing career and numerous endorsement deals. Over the years, she has collaborated with brands like BlackBerry, Dove, Citibank, and Levi's, just to mention a few.

Living in Hell's Kitchen was a gory experience for Keys. Every day of her early years exposed her to the life of violence, drugs, and prostitution perpetrated by several people in the neighborhood.

Rather than falling into the same path, her experience showed her the type of life she never wanted to live. It also helped maintain her focus so as not to get derailed by the allures of the music industry.

Keys has been vocal about her mother's role in her life – anchoring her path on good morals and virtues. She once opined that her mother depended on her to live right while working to earn their daily needs.

Ultimately, her mother provided her with many opportunities that helped her hone her skills. She also encouraged her to master playing the piano alongside her continuous support for her career.

Before the start of her music career, Keys worked as a small-time model and actor. She appeared in a 1985 episode of The Cosby Show titled "Slumber Party," where she portrayed the part of Maria.

The singer also featured in an episode of "Charmed" titled "Size Matters." Subsequently, she landed more acting roles in "American Dreams," "Smokin Aces," "The Nanny Diaries," The Secret Life of Bees," and "Empire."

After her career blew up, Keys focused on her music, solely exploring the new world of mixing classical music with R 'n' B. She is currently working on her new album, eponymously titled "Keys," and set to premiere sometime in 2022

Her other ventures include a beauty brand called Keys Soulcare – inspired by her skincare journey and love for antique beauty rituals.