Mary J. Blige From The 90s To Today: Photos Of Superstar Through The Years

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January 11, 2023 12:00PM EST

Mary J. Blige is 52 and feeling fine! See her very best photos of all time right here.

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Mary J. Blige Through The Years

Mary J. Blige Through The Years — Mary J. Blige was born on January 11, 1971, 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.’

Mary is seen here at a Los Angeles event in 1992. At the time, the future R&B and soul queen had just hit the scene with her iconic debut album ‘What’s the 411?’

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.

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Mary J. Blige Performs In 1993

Mary J. Blige Performs In 1993 — 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.’

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Mary J. Blige At The ‘Men In Black’ Soundtrack Premiere

Mary J. Blige At The ‘Men In Black’ Soundtrack Premiere — 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.

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Mary J. Blige In 1997

Mary J. Blige In 1997 — 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.

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Mary J. Blige In 1999

Mary J. Blige In 1999 — 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.

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Mary J. Blige At A 1999 MTV Event

Mary J. Blige At A 1999 MTV Event — 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.

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Mary J. Blige At The Re-opening Of Radio City Music Hall

Mary J. Blige At The Re-opening Of Radio City Music Hall — 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.

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Mary J. Blige On BBC

Mary J. Blige On BBC — 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.

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Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin At An NFL Party

Mary J. Blige & Aretha Franklin At An NFL Party — 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.

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Mary J. Blige At The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Mary J. Blige At The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — 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.

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Mary J. Blige On ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’

Mary J. Blige On ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ — Mary J. Blige makes 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.

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Mary J. Blige At VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul

Mary J. Blige At VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul — Mary J. Blige was a vision in white as she arrived for VH1 Divas special event ‘Celebrates Soul.’ The singer rocked short blonde bob as she posed with both hands on her hips.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2019 BET Awards

Mary J. Blige At The 2019 BET Awards — 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.

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Mary J. Blige Performs At The 2019 BET Awards

Mary 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.

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Mary J. Blige Accepts A BET Award

Mary J. Blige Accepts A BET Award — 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.

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Mary J. Blige Gets Inducted Into The Apollo Theater Walk of Fame

Mary J. Blige Gets Inducted Into The Apollo Theater Walk of Fame — 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.

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Mary J. Blige Films ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Mary 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.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2021 Met Gala

Mary J. Blige At The 2021 Met Gala — Mary J. Blige looked so glam in a long sleeved gold sequin gown as she attended the Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion‘ on Sept. 13, 2021.

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Mary J. Blige At A Chanel Event

Mary J. Blige At A Chanel Event — Shining star! Mary J Blige stuns in silver at the Chanel N°5 in the Stars opening night event in New York on Nov. 5, 2021. It was the perfect holiday look!

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Mary J. Blige’s At The ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ Album Release Party

Mary J. Blige’s At The ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ Album Release Party — Center of attention! Mary J. Blige wows in a blue cut-out dress and sparkling boots at the release party for her album ‘Good Morning Gorgeous’ on Feb. 10, 2022.

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Mary J. Blige Ahead Of Super Bowl LVI

Mary J. Blige Ahead Of Super Bowl LVI — Mary J. Blige sits for questions ahead of the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show at a press conferene on Feb. 10, 2022. She looked chic in over-the-knee suede leather boots with a a white suit.

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Mary J. Blige At The Premiere Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’

Mary J. Blige At The Premiere Of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ — Full feather drama! Mary J Blige wows in white feathers, a matching suit, and glam makeup during the premiere of her series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ on Nov. 17, 2021.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2022 Billboard Music Awards

Mary J. Blige At The 2022 Billboard Music Awards — Mary J. Blige sizzled in beaded Julien Macdonald at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15, 2022 in Las Vegas. She had her hair in an icy blonde ponytail and revealed her toned body with tons of sheer fabric and cut-outs.

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Mary J. Blige Owns The 2022 BET Awards

Mary J. Blige Owns The 2022 BET Awards — Mary J. Blige was electric while performing a tribute to lifetime achievement award winner Sean “Diddy” Combs at the 2022 BET Awards. She wore a glittering bodysuit and huge pendant necklace on stage.

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Mary J. Blige At The Time 100 Celebration

Mary J. Blige At The Time 100 Celebration — Mary J Blige was a dream in turquoise Gaurav Gupta during the Time Celebrates the 100 Most Influential People in the World gala at New York’s Lincoln Center on Jun. 8, 2022. The dress had a glittering bodice, billowing silk sleeves, and two sexy hip cut-outs.

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Mary J. Blige At The 2022 BET Awards

Mary J. Blige At The 2022 BET Awards — Mary J. Blige was radiant in white Tony Ward Couture during the 2022 BET Awards held at Microsoft Theater at L.A. Live on June 26, 2022. She showed some serious leg with her maxi skirt crop-top combo. Blonde curls cascaded from her crown for even more glamour.

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Mary. J. Blige & Jill Biden In 2022

Mary. J. Blige & Jill Biden In 2022 — First lady Jill Biden held hands with Mary J. Blige while launching the American Cancer Society’s national roundtables on breast and cervical cancer at the White House in Oct. 24, 2022. Mary has talked about her family’s history with breast cancer in the past and is an advocate

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Mary J. Blige In 2022

Mary J. Blige In 2022 — Mary J Blige looked fly in pink Dolce & Gabanna during the opening of Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in London on Nov. 9, 2022. She looked totally retro wearing a pink plaid bolero jacket with a matching bustier, tight leather pants, and tons of diamonds.

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