On March 19, 2025, the hip-hop community mourned alongside Lil Kim as she shared a moving tribute to Voletta Wallace, mother of legendary rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Wallace passed away at 78 years old due to natural causes while in hospice care at her home in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, leaving behind a powerful legacy of love and dedication.
The matriarch’s final chapter
Voletta Wallace was more than just the mother of Christopher “Biggie” Wallace—she became a guardian of his musical legacy following his tragic death in 1997. Her commitment to preserving her son’s memory transformed her into a respected figure within the hip-hop community.
Following her passing, the Wallace family released a statement acknowledging their tremendous loss, describing Voletta as their matriarch who dedicated herself to uplifting her son and safeguarding his legacy. The family has requested privacy as they process their grief during this difficult time.
A decade of deepening bonds
The relationship between Lil Kim and Voletta Wallace blossomed significantly over the past decade. Kim’s Instagram tribute featured a carousel of intimate photos and text conversations, documenting their journey from distant acquaintances to family-like closeness.
Kim revealed how their connection strengthened remarkably over the last 9-10 years, describing this transformation as “God’s work” given their complex history. What began as occasional monthly conversations evolved into weekly check-ins and eventually multiple calls per week, demonstrating the depth of their growing bond.
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Gardens and maternal affection
One touching aspect of their relationship involved Voletta’s passion for gardening. Kim fondly recalled how Wallace would regularly share updates and photos of her flourishing garden. Kim affectionately noted how the flowers and crops Wallace planted would come along nicely, except for occasional struggles with peonies, providing a glimpse into their everyday exchanges.
The rapport between them reached such intimacy that Kim referred to Wallace as “mommy,” while Voletta saved Kim’s contact information in her phone as “daughter”—a gesture that deeply moved the rapper. Kim acknowledged that while many called Wallace “Meema,” she had embraced her as a second mother.
The tribute took on an even more poignant tone as Kim revealed they had been planning to meet in person. Voletta had expressed a desire to spend time together, and Kim had intended to visit after an upcoming performance in Atlantic City—a meeting that will now never take place.
Kim wrote about how this loss affects her differently, articulating the particular grief of craving conversation with someone who is no longer here, especially when communication had become such a cherished routine.
Preserving a billion-dollar legacy
Beyond her role as a mother, Voletta Wallace became a formidable business force after her son’s death, taking control of his estate and music rights. Industry reports indicate these assets are currently being sold for up to $100 million, testament to her savvy management of Biggie’s artistic contributions.
Her business acumen ensured that Christopher Wallace’s impact on music would continue to resonate with new generations of listeners, while providing financial security for the family he left behind.
Honoring a remarkable woman
In her concluding thoughts, Kim found solace in their shared memories, including Voletta’s humorous admonitions to her late son. Kim’s message concluded with wishes for Wallace to rest in heaven, expressing that while they lost a phenomenal strong Queen, they gained a beautiful warrior angel—encapsulating the mixture of loss and spiritual hope that characterizes her grief.
The Wallace family has indicated they will soon share ways for fans and friends to honor Voletta’s memory as they navigate this difficult transition. The outpouring of support from across the music industry demonstrates Voletta’s far-reaching influence as both a mother and a guardian of hip-hop history.
Lil Kim’s heartfelt tribute stands as a reminder of how Voletta Wallace’s impact extended far beyond her famous son, touching lives and creating meaningful connections across generations and throughout the hip-hop community.
