Singer Traci Braxton dead at 50

Traci Braxton, reality star and sister of Grammy-winning singer Toni Braxton, has died at the age of 50.

Traci’s husband Kevin Surratt told TMZ: “We have come to a time where we must inform the public that after a year of privately undergoing a series of treatment for esophageal cancer our beloved Traci Braxton has gone on to glory.”

She was reportedly surrounded by her sisters and mother when she passed.

On Saturday the Breathe Again singer confirmed her sister’s death on Instagram.

“It is with the utmost regret that we inform you of the passing of our sister, Traci,” Toni wrote alongside a black and white photo of her with her sisters.

“Needless to say, she was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer. We will miss her dearly.
 

“Traci passed this morning as the snow was falling, our angel is now a snowflake.

She continued: “We ask that you respect our privacy as we plan to send her home with love, celebrating her life. We are family forever.”

Traci along with her sisters Toni, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar Braxton signed their first record deal with Arista Records in 1989. After Toni departed in 1991, the remaining siblings became backup singers for Toni’s first US tour.

In 2011 the women reunited for the popular reality show, Braxton Family Values which also featured their mother.
 

The show had some bumpy moments, especially when Tamar Braxton sent WeTV execs a scathing letter comparing them to “cruel white slave masters” who succeeded in “destroying a great black family.”

This is not the first untimely death for the Braxton clan.

In 2019, Lauren Braxton, who was the daughter of Traci’s brother Michael Braxton Jr., died of a drug overdose at the age of 24.

Besides starring in Braxton Family Values, Traci also appeared in season three of Marriage Boot Camp with her husband.

She also had a busy career outside of reality TV.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.