Liza Rios is best known as the widow of famous rapper Big Pun. She was his high school sweetheart and stayed by his side through good times and bad times. After Big Pun died in 2000, Liza became the person who keeps his memory alive. But her story is much more than just being a rapper’s wife. She is a strong mother, a skilled professional, and a woman who faced many hard times with courage. In this article, we will look at her life, her family, her work, and how she continues to honor her late husband’s legacy.
Quick Bio Table
| Full Name | Liza Rios |
|---|---|
| Known As | Big Pun’s Wife / Widow |
| Birth Place | Bronx, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic |
| Husband | Christopher Lee Rios (Big Pun) |
| Marriage Year | 1990 |
| Children | Amanda, Vanessa, Christopher Jr. (Chris Rivers) |
| Profession | Transportation Consultant, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur |
| Famous For | Being the widow of rapper Big Pun |
Early Life and Background
Liza Rios grew up in the Bronx, New York. She has kept most details about her childhood private. We do not know much about her parents or her early education. What we do know is that she grew up in a working-class Hispanic community during the 1980s.
Her life changed when she met a young boy named Christopher Rios in junior high school. They were both in 8th grade when they first met. This meeting would change her life forever.
Love Story with Big Pun
Liza and Christopher started dating when they were just 14 years old. Their young love grew stronger over the years. By the time Liza was 17, she was pregnant with their first child. The couple decided to get married in 1990.
Christopher later became famous as Big Pun, one of the greatest Latino rappers in history. He was the first solo Latin rapper to sell over one million copies of an album. His songs like “Still Not a Player” made him a hip-hop legend.
Liza was there through his entire journey. She supported him when he was unknown and stayed with him when he became a star. But their marriage was not always easy. Big Pun had mental health problems from a difficult childhood. He also struggled with his weight, which caused serious health issues.
Motherhood and Children
Liza and Big Pun had three children together:
Amanda Rios – Their first daughter who has stayed mostly private.
Vanessa Rios – Their second daughter who also prefers to live away from the spotlight.
Christopher Rios Jr. (Chris Rivers) – Their son was born on November 15, 1993. He followed his father’s path and became a rapper. Chris has worked with big names like Wu-Tang Clan and The Lox. Many fans see him as carrying on Big Pun’s legacy in music.
Liza raised all three children mostly on her own after Big Pun’s death. She has said many times that her children are “tremendously strong” despite the hard life they had.
The Death of Big Pun
On February 7, 2000, Liza’s world fell apart. Big Pun died from a heart attack at just 28 years old. His weight had reached almost 700 pounds, which caused his heart to fail. He left behind Liza and their three young children.
After his death, Liza faced very hard times. She has said in interviews that she only received about $125,000 total after Big Pun died. Many people thought she got millions, but that was not true. The family struggled with money for many years.
In 2007, Liza and her children were evicted from their home. They even had to live in a homeless shelter for some time. This shocked many hip-hop fans who could not believe that a platinum rapper’s family could end up homeless.
Legal Battles and Fight for Royalties
Liza spent years fighting for the money she believed her family deserved. In 2014, she took Fat Joe and music producer Jellybean Benitez to court. She claimed they owed the Big Pun estate over $2.3 million in unpaid royalties.
The case was settled in 2016. As a result, Liza got back most of Big Pun’s music publishing rights. She also gained control over his artist accounts. This was a big win for her family after years of struggle.
Career and Professional Life
Many people are surprised to learn that Liza has her own career outside of Big Pun’s legacy. She works as a transportation consultant with over eight years of experience. She specializes in traffic modeling and planning. Her work has taken her to many countries including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.
Liza is also a filmmaker. She helped produce documentaries about Big Pun’s life, including “Big Pun: The Legacy” in 2009. She appeared on TV shows like “E! True Hollywood Stories: Rappers Wives” where she shared her story.
Today, Liza is active on social media. She uses her platform to talk about self-love, healthy living, and women’s empowerment. She continues to protect and promote Big Pun’s memory while building her own path.
Where is Liza Rios Now?
Liza Rios currently lives in the United States. She is around 49-50 years old now. She stays busy with her consulting work and keeps her husband’s legacy alive. Her son Chris Rivers continues to make music, which makes her proud.
Despite everything she went through, Liza remains positive. She once said, “I try to take everything that comes my way and see the positive side of it.” Her story shows what it means to be strong in the face of great loss.
Conclusion
Liza Rios is much more than just Big Pun’s widow. She is a survivor, a loving mother, and a hardworking woman. Her life has been full of love, loss, and struggle. But through it all, she never gave up. She raised three children on her own, fought for what was right, and built her own career. Liza’s story teaches us about strength and hope. She continues to honor Big Pun’s memory while creating her own legacy. Her journey inspires many people who face hard times in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Liza Rios?
Liza Rios is the widow of legendary rapper Big Pun. She is also a mother of three, a transportation consultant, and a filmmaker who works to keep her late husband’s legacy alive.
How many children does Liza Rios have?
Liza has three children with Big Pun: Amanda, Vanessa, and Christopher Jr. (known as rapper Chris Rivers).
When did Liza Rios marry Big Pun?
Liza married Big Pun in 1990. They met in junior high school and started dating at age 14.
What happened to Liza Rios after Big Pun died?
After Big Pun’s death in 2000, Liza faced financial problems. She fought legal battles for royalties and even lived in a homeless shelter. She later won back Big Pun’s music rights.
What does Liza Rios do for work?
Liza works as a transportation consultant. She also produces documentaries and advocates for women’s issues on social media.
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