It feels like yesterday we were watching them on WE tv, a whirlwind of harmonies, family drama, and that signature "Dot Com" catchphrase. But the reality is much heavier. People still search for which one of the Braxton sisters passed away because the loss felt so sudden to the public, even if the family had been privately bracing for the impact for a year.
It was Traci.
Traci Braxton, the "Wildcard" of the bunch, died on March 12, 2022. She was only 50 years old.
Losing a Braxton felt like losing a member of our own extended family for anyone who grew up on 90s R&B or spent a decade watching Braxton Family Values. Traci wasn't just a backup singer or a reality star; she was the sister who often felt the most relatable. She wasn't the "diva" in the traditional sense. She was the one fighting for her spot, the one with the infectious laugh, and the one who ultimately faced a brutal health battle away from the cameras.
The Battle No One Saw Coming
When the news broke on that Saturday morning, social media went into a tailspin. How? Why? We just saw her, didn't we?
The truth is, Traci had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
She kept it quiet. In an era where every celebrity health update is live-tweeted, Traci chose a different path. She spent her final year undergoing series of treatments without the glare of the paparazzi or the pressure of public sympathy. Her husband, Kevin Surratt, later confirmed that she had been in a "private fight" for a year.
Esophageal cancer is a beast. It’s aggressive. It’s often caught late because the symptoms—difficulty swallowing, weight loss, chronic indigestion—can be mistaken for less severe issues. By the time it’s advanced, the prognosis is often grim. Traci faced it with the same grit she showed when she was trying to launch her solo career after years of being in the shadow of her sisters.
Why Traci Was the Heart of the Family
To understand why her passing hit so hard, you have to look at the dynamic of the sisters: Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar, and Traci.
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Traci was often positioned as the sister who missed out on the original record deal when Toni was pulled away for a solo career. That pain was a central storyline in the early seasons of their reality show. We watched her struggle with feelings of inadequacy, but we also watched her find her voice.
She eventually released her own music, like the soulful "Last Call," which peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. It wasn't just about the charts, though. It was about the validation. She proved she belonged in the booth just as much as she belonged in the family kitchen.
Honestly, Traci was the glue. While the other sisters were often embroiled in high-octane feuds (who could forget the "eat my dust" moments?), Traci often played the middle ground, even when she was the one being teased. She had this "tell it like it is" energy that felt authentic. No filters. Just Traci.
The Final Moments and the Family’s Grief
The Braxton family released a joint statement that felt raw and shattered. Toni Braxton took to Instagram to share that Traci passed away "as the snow was falling."
"She was a bright light, a wonderful daughter, an amazing sister, a loving mother, wife, grandmother and a respected performer," the family shared. "We will miss her dearly."
The grief didn't stop at the funeral. If you’ve followed the family since 2022, you’ve seen the ripples. Tamar Braxton has spoken openly about the "heavy cloud" that follows them. There’s a specific kind of trauma in losing a sibling young, especially in a family where your identities are so inextricably linked. They aren't just five individuals; they are The Braxtons. Removing one piece of that puzzle changes the entire picture.
Misconceptions About Her Passing
There were rumors. There are always rumors. Some people wondered if it was related to her weight loss journey, while others speculated about different illnesses.
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- Was it sudden? To the fans, yes. To the family, no. They had a year to say their goodbyes, though "enough time" is a myth when it comes to cancer.
- Did she stop filming because of it? Yes. Her absence in later media appearances was a direct result of her declining health, though she remained as active as possible behind the scenes.
- Did the sisters get along at the end? Despite the televised bickering, the sisters were by her side. Death has a way of silencing petty arguments. They were a unit when it counted most.
Life After Traci: The Legacy of the "Wildcard"
Traci’s son, Kevin Surratt Jr., has been vocal about the hole his mother left behind. He posted a heartbreaking tribute shortly after her death, calling her his "best friend."
Beyond the music and the TV show, Traci was a grandmother. She was "Duchess." She took that role more seriously than any platinum record.
What can we actually learn from Traci’s journey?
First, health is everything. Esophageal cancer is statistically more common in men, but it's devastatingly effective regardless of gender. Awareness matters. If you have chronic acid reflux or trouble swallowing, don't ignore it. Traci’s privacy was her right, but her story serves as a reminder that we never truly know what someone is carrying behind a smile or a scripted scene.
Second, the importance of finishing what you started. Traci didn't give up on her music career just because it didn't happen at 20. She released Crash & Burn in 2014 and On Earth in 2018. She did it on her terms.
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Navigating the Loss of a Cultural Icon
The Braxtons represent a specific era of Black excellence and family transparency. We saw them at their lowest, and we saw them at their highest. Traci’s death marked the end of an era for the family's original lineup.
When you look back at which one of the Braxton sisters passed away, remember it wasn't just a "celebrity death." It was the loss of a woman who fought for her identity in a family of giants. She was a mother, a grandmother, and a survivor.
If you want to honor her memory, start with her music. Listen to "Last Call" or "Broken Things." You can hear the rasp in her voice—a voice that was often silenced in the early years but eventually found its way to the world.
Practical Steps for Fans and Supporters
- Support Esophageal Cancer Awareness: Organizations like the Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN) work to increase early detection. Traci's story is a catalyst for checking in on your own digestive health.
- Respect the Family's Privacy: Even years later, the sisters are still processing. Engaging with their content with empathy rather than demanding more details about her final days is the best way to be a fan.
- Revisit the Work: Watch the early seasons of Braxton Family Values. See Traci in her element—laughing, arguing, and loving her sisters. That is how she wanted to be remembered. Not as a patient, but as a force of nature.
Traci Braxton was 50. She was far too young. But in those five decades, she managed to leave a footprint that won't be washed away by time or the changing tides of the entertainment industry. She was, and always will be, a Braxton.