A prominent personality in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and several spinoffs, Kandi Burruss is an actress, entrepreneur and singer. Before becoming a television star, she gained popularity with the female music group Xscale. As of 2023, Kandi Burruss has a net worth of $30 million.
Early Life
Born Kandi Lenice Burruss on May 17, 1976, in Georgia, Burruss grew up in a supportive family, the daughter of Joyce Jones and Titus Burruss Jr. She was first introduced to the world of entertainment at the age of 15, appearing on the BET series, Teen Summit.
Around this time, Burruss was honing her talent at Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School. There, she met LaTocha Scott, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, Tamika Scott, and Tamera Coggins-Wynn to form Xscape in 1991. Kandi graduated from high school in 1994.
Music Career
At first, Xscape consisted of Burruss, LaTocha Scott, and her sister Tamika. They invited Tamera Coggins to join, but her stint was brief and Tameka Cottle took her place. The female quartet was discovered by rapper Jermaine Dupri who signed them to his So So Def Recordings label.
In 1993, they released their debut studio album Hummin’ Comin’ at ‘Cha and it became a certified platinum record. After making two more albums, the girls went on a hiatus in 2002. They tried to make a comeback in 2005, but it didn’t work out. Because of this, Kandi centered her efforts on production and songwriting.
Reality TV
In 2009, Kandi Burruss joined The Real Housewives of Atlanta in its second season. She developed into a fan favorite, and is currently the longest-serving cast member on the show. This helped her star in six Bravo spinoff series. This includes The Kandi Factory, Kandi’s Wedding, and Kandi’s Ski Trip.
When her music group held a reunion in 2017, it was documented in Xscape: Still Kickin’ It. Apart from reality TV, she’s also made cameos on numerous series. Furthermore, the reality actress launched an adult toy enterprise called Bedroom Kandi.
Net Worth and Earnings
Burruss made her early fortune as a musician. Her debut album with Xscape alone sold over 7 million records internationally. Kandi went solo but didn’t have as much success financially. Her primary income source is from appearing on reality TV.
According to Reality Blurb, she earns $2.3 million per season on RHOA. Kandi earns extra income from other media and business endeavors. This is why her wealth is estimated to be $30 million, making her the richest Housewife on the show.
Personal Life
In her personal life, Burruss is the mother to two children, a son and a daughter, from her marriage to former RHOA line producer Todd Tucker. They reside in their Atlanta mansion. Burruss also has a daughter from a previous relationship with business magnate Russell “Block” Spencer.