Hip-hop artist Meek Mill has gifted his mom, Kathy Williams, heftily financially — with “more than a million dollars,” as he puts it. He’s shared of how his mom has an American Express Black Card in her purse. It’s all thanks to her son’s determination to see her live a financially stress-free life, which he says was one of his goals when gaining music success.
In a resurfaced video interview from 2022 that Meek Mill did with Complex magazine’s Speedy Morman, he explains his plan to change his mother’s life.
Dear Mama
Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Rihmeek Williams, was raised by his single mother alongside his sister Nasheema. His father was killed when he was a child, Complex reported.
The family struggled financially growing up, Meek revealed.
Meek, who has a net worth of $20 million, once tweeted a photo of his mother’s old welfare card right next to her AmEx Black Business Card.
The American Express Centurion Card, also known as the Black Card, is reserved for the company’s wealthiest customers who meet certain net worth, credit score and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
“I gave my mom more than million dollars…now my mom got Black cards,” he said in the interview. “This is like a sign of motivation — you could be the one that changes your mother’s life.”
Meek shared his backstory with Complex. According to the rapper, his mother lived on public assistance in Philadelphia.
“My mom…never she had bad credit her whole life. I had bad credit my whole life [because] my mom put bills in my name since I was six, so to even to see my mom and be able to live better…it’s an accomplishment.”
Meek also revealed he purchased a home for his grandmother and is helping his sister get her finances straight.
How Meek Mill Made Millions
Luckily for them, Meek went on to become a millionaire as well through his successful career as a rapper, songwriter and activist.
But money management for Meek Mill was a learning process.
“I come from the world of poverty,” he explained. “We don’t come from the world of like learning how to do business and handle money and manage millions. So you know it’s a task, but you know it comes along with the success and things like that…You got to learn how to do along the way.”
He continued, “I appreciate flying in jets. Being able to take care of my mom, my sister now, I appreciate that. Hanging with billionaires, I appreciate that. And just being from North Philly where I came from, I appreciate that.”
He talked about how being a success was an “expensive pain,” which inspired an album of the same name. According to Meek, he has to sacrifice family and personal time to focus on work, and that can be painful.
The “pain” has resulted in four studio albums, all of which have been commercially successful. He also has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Drake, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross. In addition to his music career, Meek is also a successful entrepreneur. He has his own clothing line, DreamChasers, and has also invested in a number of businesses. He is also a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform and has spoken out against mass incarceration.
Giving back is part of his modus operandi. As Finurah previously reported, Meek Mill, 76ers owner Michael Rubin and comedian Kevin Hart have once again teamed up to donate to the Philadelphia school system, though it is less than half of what they donated in the 2022 to 2023 school year.
