Akon’s 29-year marriage ends: Wife files for divorce as singer juggles 9 kids & multiple relationships

Just days before what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary, singer and producer Akon is facing the end of a decades-long marriage. His wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. Court documents note their official date of separation as yet to be determined. The couple share a 17-year-old daughter, Journey. Thiam has asked for joint legal custody, primary physical custody for herself, and spousal support, while requesting that the musician not receive any from her.

A Star With a Global Footprint

Akon, now 52, has built a career that crosses borders and genres. From chart-toppers like Smack That and Right Now (Na Na Na) to collaborations with artists around the world, his music has travelled far beyond the United States. Indian audiences know him best for lending his voice to the Bollywood hits Chammak Challo and Criminal in Shah Rukh Khan’s sci-fi film Ra.One back in 2011. Beyond music, Akon has launched business ventures and philanthropic projects, including his ambitious “Akon Lighting Africa” initiative, which brings solar power to rural communities across the continent.

A Complex Personal Life

Akon has never hidden his belief in polygamy. In a 2022 interview he described it as part of his African heritage and revealed he has nine children. Musician Amirror even claimed in 2023 to be one of his four wives. For Akon, marriage and long-term partnerships, whether legally formalized or not, are all “real relationships.” He often speaks about prioritising financial and emotional responsibility over traditional family rituals. “My job is to make sure the family has a roof and food,” he once said, adding that technology helps him stay connected with his children even when he’s on the road.

As his nearly three-decade marriage with Tomeka Thiam heads toward an official split, Akon remains a figure who blends musical innovation with an unconventional personal philosophy.

The singer’s life continues to draw attention, both for the hits he creates and the unorthodox way he defines family and love.