Voletta Wallace, the mother of hip-hop legend The Notorious B.I.G., has passed away at the age of 72. TMZ reports that she died Friday morning in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, while in hospice care. Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac confirmed that her cause of death was natural causes.
Following the tragic murder of her son, Christopher Wallace—better known as Biggie Smalls—Voletta dedicated her life to preserving his legacy. She played a key role in managing his estate, ensuring that his wealth was passed down to his family, including his daughter, T’yanna Wallace. Under her oversight, Biggie’s estate grew significantly, increasing from an estimated $10 million at the time of his death in 1997 to a staggering $160 million today.
Voletta was a vocal advocate for her son’s influence on music and culture. She celebrated his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and frequently used her social media to highlight his impact, sharing posts about his foundation, streaming achievements, tribute concerts, and cultural references.
In 2009, when the biopic Notorious was released, Voletta emphasized the importance of telling Biggie’s story on the big screen. Throughout the years, she remained a respected figure in hip-hop, ensuring that her son’s legacy continued to thrive.
Biggie Smalls was tragically shot and killed in Los Angeles in 1997, just months after the murder of his rival, Tupac Shakur. While justice for his death remains elusive, Voletta worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive, turning grief into a powerful movement that kept his influence alive for new generations of fans.
