40: Toni Braxton – Powerful Women of 2013

Although Toni Braxton recently announced her retirement from music, that was short-lived as she's currently working on a new project with revered producer Babyface.

The songstress' 22-year career has definitely earned her a spot on this list. Starting as part of a family music group called The Braxtons in the late 1980s, she released her solo debut LP in 1993, which earned her three Grammys, including one for Best New Artist. She later released six more albums and will be dropping her Babyface-assisted LP in September via Motown Records.

Aside from music, she's acted in a number of projects like 'Twist of Faith' for the Lifetime Network. She and her family also star in a reality show, 'Braxton Family Values.' Plus, Braxton is a major spokesperson for the American Heart Association and Autism Speaks, after her son was diagnosed disorder. In 2010, Braxton admitted in an interview that she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, despite the ailment, this singer has managed to forge on and make a pretty successful career.

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