Vanilla Ice biography, net worth, wife, married, baby, project

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<h2>Early Life and Musical Beginnings</h2>
<p>Vanilla Ice, born <a href="/biography/vanilla-ice">Robert Matthew Van Winkle</a> on October 31, 1967, in Dallas, Texas, is a well-known American <a href="/biography/vanilla-ice">rapper</a>, television host, and actor. He never knew his biological father and took the surname of the man his mother was married to at the time of his birth. After his parents divorced when he was four, he alternated living between Dallas and Miami. His stepfather was a car dealer in Miami, where <a href="/biography/vanilla-ice">Van Winkle</a> was exposed to the emerging hip hop culture that would later shape his career.</p>

<p>Drawn to poetry from a young age, he began expressing himself through breakdancing, which he started practicing at the age of 13. His friends nicknamed him "Vanilla" because he was the only white <a href="/biography/vanilla-ice">member</a> of the crew. As he began performing at parties and with dance groups, he adopted the stage name Vanilla Ice.</p>

<h2>The Rise of “Ice Ice Baby”</h2>
<p>At age 16, Vanilla Ice wrote what would become his breakout song, “Ice Ice Baby.” In 1985, he focused on motocross racing and even won three championships. However, a serious ankle injury sidelined his racing career, prompting him to redirect his energy toward music and dance.</p>

<p>His first major performance occurred after a dare from a friend led him to take the stage at a South Dallas nightclub. His performance was well-received, and the club's manager offered him a regular gig. In 1987, he was stabbed outside a nightclub and spent ten days recovering in the hospital. After recovering, he signed a contract with the club's owner, who also financed the music video for “Ice Ice Baby.” This track became a huge success, known as the first hip hop single to top the Billboard Hot 100.</p>

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<h2>Commercial Success and Acting</h2>
<p>In 1990, Vanilla Ice signed with SBK Records and released a reworked version of his independent album “Hooked” under the new title “To the Extreme.” The album became one of the fastest-selling hip hop albums of the time, holding the number one spot on the Billboard 200 for 16 consecutive weeks and selling nearly 11 million copies worldwide.</p>

<p>In 1991, he appeared as a musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” and had a cameo in the film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze," which he described as a career highlight. That same year, he released his live album “Extremely Live,” recorded during a Miami concert. Though not as commercially successful as his debut, it showcased his performance skills and loyal fan base.</p>

<h2>Later Career and Television Work</h2>
<p>Vanilla Ice continued to explore music and entertainment beyond hip hop. In 2003, he contributed vocals to a side project involving members of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden">Iron Maiden</a>, demonstrating his versatility as a performer. He launched a new phase of his career in 2009 when he began filming the reality TV series “The Vanilla Ice Project,” which premiered in 2010 on the DIY Network. The show focused on his passion for home renovation and real estate, earning him a new audience.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Net Worth</h2>
<p>Vanilla Ice was in a high-profile relationship with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna">pop star</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna">Madonna</a>, which lasted approximately eight months. In 1997, he married Laura Giaritta. The couple has two daughters. Although they have had a complex relationship over the years, they remained publicly connected for a significant period.</p>

<p>As of recent estimates, Vanilla Ice's net worth is approximately $18 million. His biography and career milestones are widely documented across numerous reputable websites, reflecting his enduring influence in both music and television.</p>

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