Mario age singer searches point to Mario Dewar Barrett, the American R&B singer and songwriter born on August 27, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland. Many profiles list him at 39 for 2026, and he turned 40 on his birthday in late August.
Known for his soulful voice and powerful vocals, he signed with J Records at age 14 and scored a Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit with “Let Me Love You,” which held the top spot for nine weeks.
He is also an actor, dancer and founder of a charitable foundation, and his estimated net worth is $14 million in 2026. His R&B career now spans over two decades.
Mario Wiki/Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real name | Mario Dewar Barrett |
| Date of birth | August 27, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actor, dancer |
| Genre | R&B and contemporary pop music |
| Education | Milford Mill Academy |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Partner | Esmeralda Rios |
| Estimated net worth | $14 million in 2026 |
Mario Real Name
His real name is Mario Dewar Barrett. He performs under his first name alone, a common choice for solo R&B artists, which keeps his stage identity short and easy to remember.
Mario Early Life and Education
Mario was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and the city shaped his music, character and fan base. His early life included an unusual start in music: he began singing with a karaoke machine at age 4, and he was discovered at age 11.
For education, he attended Milford Mill Academy, a public high school in Baltimore County, Maryland. The timeline below shows how his early years moved from home singing to a major label.
- Age 4: he started singing with a karaoke machine.
- Age 11: he was discovered as a young talent.
- Age 14: he signed with J Records, the label founded by industry executive Clive Davis.
- Age 15 to 16: his debut album, Mario, arrived in 2002.
The sequence shows how quickly he moved from a child performer to a professional recording artist.
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Mario Parents and Siblings
| Family member | Relationship | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shawntia Hardaway | Mother | Part of his family background |
| Derryl Barrett Sr. | Father | Gospel singer in the group Reformation |
| Derryl Barrett Jr. | Half-brother | Part of his immediate family |
| Grandmother | Primary caregiver | Raised him primarily |
Mario Partner – Esmeralda Rios
Mario’s partner is Esmeralda Rios. The couple began dating in recent years and announced a pregnancy, and they are expecting their first child. Beyond these facts, he keeps details of the relationship largely private, and public information about Rios is limited.
Mario Age
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | August 27, 1986 |
| Age before August 27, 2026 | 39 years old |
| Age after August 27, 2026 | 40 years old |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
Mario Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Mario stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs 75 kg (165 lbs). His athletic frame fits his background as a dancer, since dance training builds balance, stamina and stage presence. These measurements are approximate, as they come from public profiles and not from official records.
Mario Before Fame
Before fame, he was a young Baltimore performer who practiced on a karaoke machine and impressed people around him.
Being discovered at 11 led to coaching and industry meetings, and his path from local talent to record deal took only a few years. His grandmother’s role in raising him gave him stability during that period.
Mario Career
His career began with a major-label deal and quickly grew into one of the more recognized R&B careers of the 2000s. Mario worked with top producers and songwriters, building a sound that blends smooth R&B with contemporary pop music.
The list below shows his main albums and what each one marked in his career.
- Mario (2002): his debut album, which introduced him to listeners
- Turning Point (2004): the album that produced “Let Me Love You”
- Go (2007): a follow-up showing a more mature sound
- D.N.A. (2009): a later release that continued his R&B direction
Outside music, he took acting roles in Step Up, a dance drama film, Freedom Writers, a film about a teacher and her students, and Empire, a TV series set in the music industry. This acting work shows how his skills in performance and dance carried over to screen roles.
Mario Social Media Presence
Mario is active online with dedicated followers. His fan base supports his music releases, tour news and personal updates, and he uses his online presence to stay connected to listeners who have followed him for years.
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Mario Net Worth and Achievements
| Source | How it adds to his income |
|---|---|
| Music sales | Album and single sales, including platinum-selling albums |
| Tours | Ticket and event income from live performances |
| Acting | Pay from film and TV roles |
| Endorsements | Brand partnerships |
| Royalties | Ongoing income from songs he has recorded or written |
Mario Awards and Recognitions
His biggest recognition is the Billboard Hot 100 number-one placement of “Let Me Love You,” which stayed at number one for nine weeks. He also earned Grammy nominations, which are nominations for the music industry’s top awards.
His platinum-selling albums mean they sold at least one million units in the United States, a mark of lasting commercial success.
Mario Legacy and Impact
His legacy rests on a song that became a defining R&B ballad of its decade and on a career that has lasted over two decades.
He has also given back: he founded the Do Right Foundation in 2008, a charitable effort that reflects his focus on community. For younger singers from Baltimore, his path shows how a local voice can reach national charts.
Mario Nationality and Religion
Mario is American, with strong Baltimore roots. His religion is not publicly specified. His father’s gospel background shows a church-music influence in his family, but this should not be read as a stated faith.
Mario Future Plans and Goals
He has not announced a detailed plan, but his direction is visible. With a growing family, a long music catalog and an established acting record, his next steps are likely to include new music, live performances and more screen work. His foundation also gives him a long-term role beyond entertainment.
Mario Songs List
The ordered list below shows songs linked to Mario’s catalog, starting with his biggest hit.
- “Let Me Love You”
- “Just a Friend 2002”
- “How Could You”
- “Crying Out For Me”
- “Break Up”
- “Music For Love”
- “Thinkin About You”
- “Skippin”
- “Ooh Baby”
- “Girl I Need”
“Let Me Love You” is the clear peak, while “Just a Friend 2002” reintroduced a classic hip-hop-era hook to a new audience. Together, the songs show his move between upbeat tracks and romantic ballads.
Mario Lesser-Known Facts about Mario
These facts add depth beyond the basics, and the three sections below cover his personal side.
Mario Hobbies
His hobbies are not widely documented. The clearest outlets are dancing, performing and songwriting, which are also his work.
Mario Favorite Things
He has not published a verified list of favorite foods, colors or places. His musical influences are better known: Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Usher, four artists known for soul, vocal craft and stage performance.
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Mario Interesting Facts
The unordered list below collects facts that readers often find surprising.
- He started singing with a karaoke machine at age 4.
- He was discovered at age 11 and signed with J Records at 14.
- His father was a gospel singer in the group Reformation.
- “Let Me Love You” stayed at number one for nine weeks.
- He founded the Do Right Foundation in 2008.
FAQs
What is Mario’s age?
Mario was born on August 27, 1986. He was 39 until his birthday in 2026 and turned 40 on August 27, 2026.
What is Mario’s real name?
His real name is Mario Dewar Barrett.
Where was Mario born?
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
What is Mario’s biggest hit?
“Let Me Love You,” a Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit that stayed at the top for nine weeks.
Who is Mario’s partner?
His partner is Esmeralda Rios, and they are expecting their first child.
What is Mario’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is $14 million in 2026.
What are Mario’s height and weight?
He is 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs 75 kg (165 lbs).
Conclusion
The Mario age singer question has a clear answer: Mario Dewar Barrett was born on August 27, 1986, in Baltimore, and he turned 40 in 2026. From a karaoke machine at age 4 to a J Records deal at 14, he built an R&B career defined by “Let Me Love You,” platinum-selling albums and Grammy nominations. He has also acted in Step Up, Freedom Writers and Empire, and he founded the Do Right Foundation in 2008. With an estimated $14 million net worth and a child on the way with Esmeralda Rios, his story continues beyond the charts.
