Akon’s 29-year marriage collapses
International R&B and hip-hop artiste Akon is experiencing a major change in his personal life, as his wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce just days before their 29th wedding anniversary.
According to court documents obtained by Billboard on 12 September, Tomeka cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
The filing marks the end of a nearly three-decade-long union between the Senegalese-American singer, born Aliaune Badara Thiam, and his wife.
Tomeka is seeking joint legal custody and sole physical custody of their 17-year-old daughter, Journey.
She has also requested spousal support and asked the court to deny Akon any possibility of receiving support from her.
The divorce has drawn significant attention, as Akon has largely kept details of his private life out of the spotlight, despite long-standing rumours about his polygamous lifestyle.
For years, speculation has swirled that the 52-year-old entertainer has multiple wives, a rumour he has neither confirmed nor denied.
“I’mma let it stay a rumour. I like the fact that people are guessing now, I love it. I’m not confirming nor denying. You go online, you may see nine, you might see seven, you might see four. I love it, though,” Akon said in a 2022 interview.
What is certain, however, is that the ‘Lonely’ hitmaker is the father of nine children, seven boys and two girls.
The divorce filing confirmed this, with Akon previously drawing comparisons between his large family and Nick Cannon’s.
“That’s how life is supposed to be. Why not? [Nick’s] rich. He’s responsible. He takes care of every one of those children. The baby mothers are with it. They hurt for nothing. And they live comfortably.
“He’s there for every single one of those kids. I got nine and I’m there for every one of mine,” Akon said in 2023 during an appearance on The Zeze Mills Show.
Representatives for Akon and Tomeka have yet to publicly comment on the divorce proceedings.
