Brian McKnight Biography: Age, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Songs, Height, Albums, Brother

Brian Kelly McKnight often called Brian McKnight is an American R&B singer, songwriter, producer, and musician renowned for his soulful voice and heartfelt ballads, notably “Back at One.”

A multi-instrumentalist with a career spanning over three decades, he has earned critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase, though his personal life has sparked public controversy.

Profile

• Full Name: Brian Kelly McKnight
• Stage Name: Brian McKnight
• Born: June 5, 1969
• Age: 56 years old
• Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, Multi-Instrumentalist
• Height: 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)
• Parents: Claude McKnight Sr. (father), Elaine McKnight (mother)
• Siblings: Claude McKnight Jr., Michael McKnight, Fred McKnight (brothers)
• Spouse: Leilani Mendoza (married 2017), Julie McKnight (married 1990-2003)
• Children: Brian McKnight Jr., Niko McKnight, Clyde McKnight, Briana McKnight, Julia McKnight, Brian Kainoa McKnight
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million to $12 million USD

Early Life and Education

Brian McKnight was born on June 5, 1969, in Buffalo, New York, to Claude McKnight Sr., a choir director, and Elaine McKnight.

Raised in a musical family with three older brothers—Claude Jr., Michael, and Fred—he grew up singing in the church choir at Emanuel Temple, where his father was a minister.

His ethnicity is African-American, and he was raised in the Seventh-day Adventist faith, which influenced his early music.

Brian began playing piano at age four and later mastered instruments like guitar, bass, drums, and trumpet.

He attended Sweet Home High School in Amherst, New York, where he was expelled at 17 for violating the school’s PDA policy.

Career

Brian McKnight’s career began when he signed with Mercury Records at 19, releasing his self-titled debut album Brian McKnight in 1992, which peaked at #58 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum with hits like “One Last Cry.”

His sophomore album, I Remember You (1995), featured “Crazy Love,” followed by Anytime (1997), a double-platinum success with “Anytime” earning a Grammy nomination.

His signature hit, “Back at One” from the 1999 album of the same name, reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 2 million copies.

Subsequent albums include Superhero (2001), U Turn (2003), and Gemini (2005) with Motown, followed by Ten (2006) with Warner Bros., featuring “Used to Be My Girl.”

After leaving major labels, McKnight released independent albums like Evolution of a Man (2008), Just Me (2011), and More Than Words (2013).

His later works, An Evening with Brian McKnight (2016), Genesis (2017), Bedtime Story (2020), and Exodus (2020), were released via his label, Brian McKnight Music.

He collaborated with artists like Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, and Justin Timberlake, and produced for acts like Take 6 and Vanessa Williams.

McKnight’s acting credits include The Beat (2000), Black Dynamite (2009), and A Country Christmas (2013).

He hosted The Brian McKnight Show (2009–2010) and competed on Celebrity Apprentice (2009) and The Masked Singer (2023).

In 2024, he performed at the Lovers & Friends Festival and continues to tour, with an upcoming Brian McKnight Experience in 2025.

Awards and Nominations

• Nominated – Grammy Awards (16 nominations, 1999–2005): Best R&B Male Vocal Performance for “Back at One,” “Anytime,” “Stay or Let It Go”; Best R&B Album for Back at One, Superhero; Best Pop Collaboration for “Love of My Life” with Justin Timberlake, among others
• American Music Award (1999): Favorite Soul/R&B New Artist
• Soul Train Music Award (2000): Best R&B/Soul Single, Male for “Back at One”
• NAACP Image Award (2000): Outstanding Male Artist
• BET Award (2000): Best Male R&B Artist
• Nominated – MTV Video Music Award (1998): Best R&B Video for “Anytime”

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @brianmcknight23
• Facebook Handle: Brian McKnight
• Twitter Handle: @ItsBMcKnight
• YouTube Channel: BrianMcKnightVEVO
• TikTok Handle: @brianmcknight23

Personal Life

Brian McKnight was shaped by his family’s musical and religious roots.

He married Julie McKnight in 1990, with whom he has two sons, Brian Jr. and Niko; they divorced in 2003.

He married Leilani Mendoza, a pediatric neurophysiologist, in 2017, and they have two children: Julia (born 2021) and Brian Kainoa (born 2022).

McKnight has two other children, Clyde and Briana, from previous relationships.

His personal life has faced scrutiny, particularly for disowning his four eldest children (Brian Jr., Niko, Clyde, and Briana) in 2019, citing strained relationships.

This decision, along with legal disputes over child support, drew public criticism, with his son Brian Jr. accusing him of abandonment in 2020.

In 2023, a woman claiming to be his biological daughter surfaced, prompting further debate, though McKnight denied the claim.

Discography

• Brian McKnight (1992) – Platinum
• I Remember You (1995)
• Anytime (1997) – 2x Platinum
• Back at One (1999) – 3x Platinum
• Superhero (2001)
• U Turn (2003)
• Gemini (2005)
• Ten (2006)
• Evolution of a Man (2008)
• Just Me (2011)
• More Than Words (2013)
• An Evening with Brian McKnight (2016)
• Genesis (2017)
• Bedtime Story (2020)
• Exodus (2020)

Key Singles

• “One Last Cry” (1992)
• “Anytime” (1997)
• “Back at One” (1999)
• “Love of My Life” (2001)
• “Used to Be My Girl” (2006)

Filmography

• The Beat (2000) – Himself
• Celebrity Apprentice (2009) – Contestant
• Black Dynamite (2009) – Black Dynamite’s Father
• The Brian McKnight Show (2009–2010) – Host
• A Country Christmas (2013) – Danny
• Naked (2017) – Himself
• The Masked Singer (2023) – Contestant

Net Worth

Brian McKnight’s net worth is estimated at $10 million to $12 million USD.

His wealth stems from album sales (over 25 million records sold globally), touring, production work for artists like Justin Timberlake, and acting roles.

Additional income comes from his talk show, reality TV appearances, and endorsements.