Mary J. Blige Opens Up About Choosing Not to Have Any Children: ‘I Saw a Lot of People Struggling’

Mary J. Blige’s musical influence birthed plenty of R&B artists in the ’90s and into the turn of the century, but the R&B icon opened up about not having any biological children of her own.

Blige joined Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s IMO podcast on Wednesday, where she reflected on her decision to not have kids.

“I saw a lot of people struggling,” the 55-year-old began. “I see a lot, you know, my family members needing babysitters and them not having a choice, no freedom. So when you’re younger, those are the words you make, those are the choices you make. I don’t want any kids.”

The “Real Love” singer also revealed how she’s had some regret about being kidless as she’s gotten older, but is ultimately happy with the life she’s built.

“When you get older, you start to see how valuable their teenagers are to them [and] their kids are to them. … Sometimes I’m lonely, but I’m alone a lot. I’m in my home, but we have a good time. We have a good time. I make sure we have a good time,” she said. “We by ourselves, we watching movies, I be trying on clothes, I be watching movies. I accept it; it is what it is. I’m not trying to have company and friends; it is what it is.”

Michelle Obama spoke about women feeling pressure to have children as a duty in life. “You don’t have to be a mother. That doesn’t make you whole,” the former first lady said. “If you’re not a whole person, a child will not do that for you. It won’t complete you.”

The Yonkers native married producer Kendu Isaacs in 2003 but filed for divorce in 2016. Blige and Isaacs ultimately settled the tumultuous split in 2018.

Mary J. Blige is currently preparing for another run in Las Vegas as part of her My Life, My Story residency, which picks back up in Sin City on Oct. 23.

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’s last album arrived in 2024 with Gratitude. She popped out as a guest earlier in August at Chris Brown and Usher’s R&B Tour stop in New Jersey.

Watch the full Mary J. Blige interview below. Talk about motherhood takes place around the 45-minute mark.