Pras Net Worth

What is Pras Michél's Net Worth?

Pras Michél is an American rapper, producer, and actor who has a net worth of $20 million. Pras is best known as a founding member of The Fugees, one of the most celebrated hip-hop groups of the 1990s. Alongside Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, he helped craft the group's genre-blending sound across their two albums, "Blunted on Reality" in 1994 and "The Score" in 1996. "The Score" became a global phenomenon, selling more than 22 million copies and winning two Grammy Awards, ultimately securing the Fugees a lasting place in music history. After the group split, Pras enjoyed major solo success with the hit single "Ghetto Superstar" and appeared on "We Are Trying to Stay Alive," featured on Wyclef Jean's album "The Carnival." He also pursued acting and producing, working on a range of films and documentaries.

Despite these achievements, Pras's later life has been dominated by legal troubles tied to the sprawling Malaysian 1MDB corruption scandal. Federal authorities accused him of accepting $120 million from Malaysian financier Jho Low and using a network of straw donors to illegally funnel millions into Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. Prosecutors also charged him with participating in a 2018 effort to influence the Trump administration and the Justice Department in order to shut down investigations into Low, while separately trying to advance the extradition of a Chinese dissident.

Pras was convicted in April 2023 on 10 criminal counts, including money laundering, illegal lobbying, campaign finance violations, and witness tampering. He was later ordered to forfeit nearly $65 million connected to the scheme. In November 2025, he was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. His attorneys have argued that the verdict was unsupported by evidence and have stated that he plans to appeal.

Pras's legal battles have profoundly reshaped his public legacy, overshadowing the musical accomplishments that once defined his career.

Early Life

Prakazrel Samuel Michel was born on October 19, 1972, in New York City and raised in Irvington, New Jersey, in a Haitian American household that valued education and culture. Music became a central interest early in his life, and by his teenage years he was already forming creative partnerships that would shape his future career. While attending Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, he befriended Lauryn Hill. Not long afterward, the pair were introduced to Wyclef Jean, whose musical background and family connections provided a bridge into more structured studio work.

The trio began rehearsing under the guidance of Ronald Khalis Bell, known for his work as a producer and founding member of Kool & the Gang. As their chemistry developed, so did their ambition. Meanwhile, Pras pursued higher education, attending Rutgers University and Yale University, where he studied Philosophy and Psychology. Even while developing academically, he remained deeply focused on music, laying the foundation for one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the 1990s.

The Fugees

Pras, Hill, and Jean initially performed together under the name The Rap Translators before rebranding as The Fugees. Their debut album, "Blunted on Reality," was released in 1994 and introduced their socially conscious, Caribbean-influenced sound. Their second album, "The Score," released in 1996, became a global sensation. It went multi-platinum, sold more than 22 million copies worldwide, and earned two Grammy Awards. The album remains one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of all time.

While still part of the group, Pras began pursuing solo projects. His biggest hit, "Ghetto Superstar," a collaboration with Mýa and Ol' Dirty Bastard, became an international smash, reaching the top ten in the United States and climbing to number two on the UK charts. The song gained further exposure when it appeared in the Warren Beatty film "Bulworth" and was performed at the World Music Awards. He continued releasing music throughout the 2000s, collaborating with artists such as DeDe and Swami while maintaining ties to the Fugees.

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Film Career

Pras also pursued a parallel career in film. He made his first on-screen appearance in the 1999 superhero comedy "Mystery Men," which inspired him to expand further into acting and production. In 2000, he starred in the drama "Turn It Up," followed by roles in "Higher Ed," "Go for Broke," and later the sci-fi action film "The Mutant Chronicles."

His interest in real-world issues led him to documentary work. In 2006, he released "Skid Row, Los Angeles," chronicling his experience living anonymously on the streets of Los Angeles to highlight homelessness. He later filmed "Paper Dreams," a documentary about Somali piracy. Production was interrupted when he and members of the crew were reportedly held hostage by pirates, and the unfinished project was never released.

In 2015, Pras executive produced "Sweet Micky for President," a documentary about Michel Martelly's unconventional campaign for the Haitian presidency. The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival and earned strong critical reviews.

Relationships

Pras has one son with documentary filmmaker Angela Severiano. In 2014, Severiano sought an increase in child support, stating that their son required better living conditions. Court filings at the time indicated that Pras was earning roughly $1 million per year.

Real Estate

In 2014, Pras was part of a high-profile group of investors interested in acquiring New York's Plaza Hotel in a deal reportedly valued at $2.2 billion. Despite participating in large-scale investment opportunities, he was known to rent luxury residences in Los Angeles and New York, often paying five-figure monthly rents for properties in neighborhoods such as Soho.

Real Estate

In 2014, it was reported that Pras was involved in a $2.2 billion bid to buy New York's Plaza Hotel. Pras joined celebrities like David Sugarman to form a group that submitted the bid together. The seller was no other than Subrata Roy, who was serving a prison sentence at the time. Despite this investment, Pras was actually renting at the time, reportedly spending five figures per month on homes in Soho and Los Angeles.

1MDB Scandal

Pras is one of a handful of celebrities who became entangled in the 1MDB investment fund scandal. The fund, which was operated by a fugitive named Jho Low, allegedly siphoned billions from the Malaysian government. Hundreds of millions of dollars were wasted on parties, yachts, private jets, film production, and more. Prosecutors alleged that Pras funneled millions into the 2012 Obama re-election campaign through a network of straw donors and later sought to use his political connections to persuade officials in the Trump administration and the Justice Department to end their investigation into Low. He was also accused of attempting to influence the extradition of a Chinese dissident.

The Justice Department seized tens of millions of dollars connected to these activities. Initial forfeiture efforts targeted $38 million, but the government ultimately seized approximately $95 million linked to Pras, funds alleged to have originated from Low's stolen assets. Prosecutors also claimed that Low transferred at least $21 million to Pras directly, with roughly $2 million later used to support political efforts that gained Low access to high-level political events.

In April 2023, Pras was convicted on 10 federal counts, including money laundering, illegal lobbying, campaign finance violations, and witness tampering. He was later ordered to forfeit nearly $65 million. In November 2025, he was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. His attorneys have stated that he plans to appeal the conviction.

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