Chico DeBarge Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Learn about Chico DeBarge’s net worth, relationships, age/birthdate and birthday in this detailed profile of his personal life and career.
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Chico DeBarge Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
Chico DeBarge is an American R&B singer known for his early hit “Talk to Me,” a solo reinvention following family-group fame, and enduring influence in soul music.
Introduction
Chico DeBarge (born Jonathan Arthur DeBarge on June 23, 1966) emerged from Detroit’s musical DeBarge family to forge his own path in R&B. He is best known for his solo breakout with the single “Talk to Me” and an ongoing career that has spanned decades. His estimated net worth is modest—around $500,000 according to Celebrity Net Worth. While he has maintained a presence in music and performance, Chico’s journey has entwined talent, personal challenges, and resilience. In his personal life, he has been married (or in long-term partnership) with Andrea Bordenave since December 14, 1996.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Arthur “Chico” DeBarge |
| Age/Birthdate | June 23, 1966 |
| Birthday | June 23 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer, musician (R&B/Neo-Soul) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$500,000 |
| Relationship Status | Married (or longtime partner) with Andrea Bordenave since December 14, 1996 |
| Known For | The DeBarge family legacy; solo hit “Talk to Me”; albums such as Long Time No See |
From Family Spotlight to Solo Voice
Chico DeBarge’s early life placed him squarely in the limelight of a prominent musical family. Born in Detroit and raised amidst the musical journey of his siblings in the group DeBarge, he absorbed the rhythms of R&B from an early age. While his older siblings found fame in the 1980s through collaborative harmony-driven hits, Chico chose a solo path — arriving with his self-titled debut in 1986 and the Top-40 single “Talk to Me.”
Defining moments in Chico DeBarge’s journey include:
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1986: The release of his debut album Chico DeBarge and the breakout single “Talk to Me.”
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Mid-1990s: After legal and personal setbacks (including incarceration), his return to music with renewed artistry.
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1997–1999: Albums Long Time No See and The Game embody a neo-soul aesthetic and marking his reinvention.
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2000s to present: Continued performance, songwriting, and personal evolution despite shifting commercial tides.
Through the ups and downs, Chico’s story is one of navigating a legacy, finding his own voice, and evolving as an artist and individual.
The Core Pillars of Chico DeBarge’s Wealth Include:
| Revenue Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| Music Royalties & Live Performances | Earnings from albums, singles (notably “Talk to Me”), and touring. |
| Songwriting & Production Credits | Chico has cited his instrumental and compositional involvement, contributing to sustained royalty streams. |
| Licensing & Catalog Rights | His catalog, particularly works from his solo years, generates value through streaming and sync placements. |
| Business Ventures/Independent Releases | Later releases on smaller labels or his own imprint may carry higher risk but greater control. |
While comprehensive data from sources such as Forbes or Bloomberg specific to Chico DeBarge was not available, the best publicly cited figure remains the ~$500,000 estimate from Celebrity Net Worth.
Relationships & Family Life
Chico’s personal life reflects the themes of loyalty, family and both public and private challenges.
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Chico married Andrea Lynice Bordenave on December 14, 1996.
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Public sources list that the couple have four children.
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In 2012, filing paperwork indicates he initiated divorce proceedings from Andrea, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
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He also has spoken publicly about the grief of losing his eldest son, Dontae, who was tragically killed in Los Angeles in 2020.
Key insights into Chico DeBarge’s relationships and personal life:
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He has endured significant personal loss and family trauma while maintaining a public performance career.
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He has emphasized songwriting and relationships in his interviews, linking music to emotional honesty.
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Despite fame, his net worth suggests modest financial success relative to major label peers — reflecting the challenges many artists face in sustaining large-scale wealth.
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His long-term marriage and children reflect a private life grounded in family, even as the public spotlight sees only partial views.
Lifestyle, Assets & Interests
Beyond career success, Chico DeBarge leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
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A devotion to musicianship: He plays keyboards and composes his own material, often describing his process as melody-first.
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Onstage performances remain a focus: Interviews note his touring and live show emphasis rather than frequent album releases.
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Philanthropy and legacy: While specific large-scale charitable enterprises are not widely publicized, his story of recovery and music craft positions him as an informal mentor to young artists in the neo-soul/R&B space.
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Modest asset profile: With his estimated net worth under $1 million, his lifestyle appears to emphasize artistic integrity over extravagant acquisitions — a contrast to many celebrity peers.
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
Estimating an artist’s net worth is always approximate, particularly when public reporting is limited. Here is a breakdown with the best available data:
| Category | Estimated Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures & Music Catalog | ~$300,000 | CelebrityNetWorth estimate |
| Brand Deals, Endorsements & Touring | ~$100,000 | Industry estimate |
| Investments & Other Assets | ~$100,000 | General estimation |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | ~$500,000 | CelebrityNetWorth overall |
Analysis:
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The net worth figure is comparatively small for a recording artist with decades of activity, which reflects a combination of factors: early label deals with less favorable royalty terms, personal legal setbacks impacting momentum, and the evolving economics of music in the streaming era.
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That modest net worth contrasts with more commercially dominant peers — but it also underscores Chico’s focus on artistry and longevity rather than mass-commercial blockbuster success.
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Future wealth growth would likely rely on catalog monetization, live performances, and possibly licensing deals or increased streaming exposure of his older work.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
Chico DeBarge occupies a unique place in R&B: he is both part of a legendary musical family and an individual voice who diverged stylistically into neo-soul and deeper emotional territory.
His public image blends the charm of the “soul singer” with the authenticity of someone who has faced addiction, imprisonment, loss and yet maintained creative passion.
His legacy and influence:
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He did not simply ride on his family’s success — instead he carved out his path, melding R&B with neo-soul nuance and raw emotional content.
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Among fans and newer artists, Chico is cited as an understated influence: someone who wrote, played instruments, and refused to become purely a pop-production machine.
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His personal story — though marked by setbacks — conveys resilience. In interviews he emphasizes the artistry of melody, the craft of writing, and the value of emotional truth.
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While he may not command the megastar status of some peers, his career longevity and authenticity earn respect within the R&B/soul community.
Conclusion
From his birth on June 23, 1966, the journey of Chico DeBarge has spanned family tradition, solo ambition, personal trials and creative re-invention. His estimated net worth of roughly $500,000 may be modest in celebrity terms, yet it reflects a career driven by artistry, resilience and a distinct voice. His relationships — including his long-term marriage to Andrea Bordenave and his role as father — anchor his personal narrative. With a legacy rooted in soul and neo-soul, a birthday he shares with many musical milestones, and an age/birthdate that pinpoints his entry into R&B history, Chico DeBarge’s story is compelling not because of blockbuster riches, but because of the musician who stayed true to his craft. His continued performances and songwriting ensure that his music—and his journey—remain relevant and inspiring.
