Alicia Keys: Bio, Wiki, Height,
Education, Family, Career, and Net
Worth
Full
Name: Alicia Augello Cook
Stage
Name: Alicia Keys
Date of
Birth: January 25, 1981
Place of
Birth: Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Nationality:
American
Occupation:
Singer,
Songwriter, Pianist, Actress, Author, Activist
Genres: R&B,
Soul, Pop
Years
Active: 1996–present
Height: 5 feet 6
inches (1.68 meters)
Net Worth
(2024): Estimated $150 million
Early
Life and Background
Alicia Keys was
born as Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in the vibrant
neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan,
in New York City. Raised by her mother, Terria
Joseph, an actress and paralegal of Italian and Irish descent, Alicia
experienced a multicultural upbringing. Her father, Craig Cook, an African American flight attendant, was largely
absent from her life, and she has spoken publicly about their distant
relationship during her formative years.
From a young age,
Alicia was immersed in the arts. Growing up in a tough neighborhood filled with
crime and poverty gave her an emotional depth and resilience that would shape
her music and worldview. Her mother worked multiple jobs to support her and
encouraged her to pursue her passion for music and education.
Education
Alicia began piano
lessons at the age of 7, showing a
natural talent and affinity for classical music. She trained in classical
piano, studying the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. By age 14, she was
composing her own songs and had already been accepted into the prestigious Professional Performing Arts School of
Manhattan, where she majored in choir.
An exceptional
student, Alicia graduated valedictorian
at the age of 16. She was offered a full scholarship to Columbia University, one of the Ivy League schools. However, after
attending for only a few weeks, she made the decision to drop out and fully
commit to her music career.
Height
and Appearance
Alicia Keys stands
at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters).
Known for her natural beauty, she
gained global attention when she embraced a makeup-free movement in 2016, advocating for self-acceptance and
authenticity. Her style is often described as effortless, elegant, and
empowering, embodying her values of confidence and inner strength.
Family
and Personal Life
Alicia Keys
married rapper and music producer Swizz
Beatz (Kasseem Dean) in July 2010.
The couple shares two children: Egypt
Daoud Dean (born 2010) and Genesis
Ali Dean (born 2014). Alicia is also a stepmother to Swizz Beatz’s three
children from previous relationships.
Family plays a
central role in Alicia’s life. She often speaks about the balance between
motherhood and artistry, and her experiences as a wife and mother are reflected
in her later music and activism.
In addition to her
career, she is a co-founder of Keep a
Child Alive, a nonprofit organization that provides medicine and support to
families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
Early
Career and Breakthrough (2001)
Alicia’s career
skyrocketed with the release of her debut album, Songs in A Minor, in 2001. The album, a blend of soul, jazz,
R&B, and classical influences, included the smash hit "Fallin'," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six
weeks. The album sold over 12 million
copies worldwide and earned her five
Grammy Awards in one night, establishing her as a major force in the music
industry.
Her sophomore
album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, was
released in 2003 and was both a critical and commercial success. With tracks
like “If I Ain’t Got You” and “You Don’t Know My Name,” the album
showcased her growth as a songwriter and performer. It won four Grammy Awards and cemented her status as one of the leading
voices in contemporary R&B.
Her third studio
album, As I Am, released in 2007,
debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The hit single "No One" became one of her signature songs. In 2009, she
released The Element of Freedom,
which included the international hit "Empire
State of Mind (Part II)," a follow-up to her collaboration with Jay-Z.
Alicia continued
to evolve with albums such as:
Girl on Fire (2012), featuring the empowering title
track
Here (2016), focusing on identity and social issues
Alicia (2020), an introspective and vulnerable collection
Keys (2021), a double album showcasing both original and remixed
tracks
Her music has
consistently explored themes of love, empowerment, spirituality, and
self-discovery.
Beyond music,
Alicia has explored acting, appearing in films such as:
Smokin’
Aces (2006)
The
Secret Life of Bees (2008)
She also served as
a coach on “The Voice” for multiple seasons, winning Season 12 with contestant
Chris Blue. Alicia has written several books, including her memoir More Myself: A Journey (2020), part of
Oprah’s book club, and a children’s book titled Blue Moon.
Alicia is not just
a musician; she is a passionate
humanitarian and activist. She co-founded Keep a Child Alive in
2003, and her efforts have raised millions of dollars for global health causes.
She has also been a vocal advocate for:
Criminal
justice reform
Gender
equality
Mental
health awareness
Racial
justice
Her 2016
makeup-free campaign encouraged young women to love themselves naturally,
becoming a cultural movement rooted in authenticity and self-worth.
Alicia Keys is a
15-time Grammy Award winner. Her accolades also include:
17 NAACP
Image Awards
9
Billboard Music Awards
7 BET
Awards
3
American Music Awards
She has sold over 65 million records worldwide, making
her one of the best-selling female R&B artists in history. In 2021, she
celebrated the 20th anniversary of
Songs in A Minor with a deluxe edition and tribute performances.
In 2020, Keys
hosted the Grammy Awards for the
second year in a row, receiving praise for her grace, voice, and uplifting
presence during trying times.
As of 2024, Alicia
Keys has an estimated net worth of $150 million. Her wealth comes from:
Music sales and
streaming
Worldwide tours
and live performances
Endorsement deals
(e.g., Levi’s, Reebok)
Book publishing
Real estate
investments
Production company
AK Worldwide
Her beauty brand
partnership with Keys Soulcare, a
skincare and wellness line
She and Swizz
Beatz own multiple properties, including a lavish mansion in La Jolla,
California, known as the “Razor House,”
valued at over $20 million.
