Akon’s marriage to Tomeka Thiam is coming to an end after nearly three decades. Court filings reveal that Thiam submitted divorce papers on Thursday, 11 September, just four days before what would have marked their 29th wedding anniversary.
The documents, obtained by People, cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. Thiam, who married the 52-year-old singer in 1996, has listed their separation date as “to be determined.” The couple share one child together, 17-year-old daughter Journey.
In her request, Thiam has asked for joint legal custody of Journey, while seeking primary physical custody for herself. She has also petitioned for spousal support, while asking that Akon not be granted any support from her.
The divorce filing comes against the backdrop of Akon’s long-discussed views on marriage and family. The “Smack That” and “Don’t Matter” hitmaker has previously spoken openly about his belief in polygamy, calling it part of his African culture. In a 2022 interview, he revealed he has nine children and insisted that his role as a father is to provide for his family and raise his children to be responsible, even if his demanding schedule means he is not always present at family events.
The topic of Akon’s multiple relationships has surfaced in recent years, with musician Amirror claiming in 2023 that she was one of his four wives, and that their households are spread across the United States and Africa. While Akon has never confirmed an exact number of wives, he has consistently defended his lifestyle as cultural rather than controversial.
For now, neither Akon nor Thiam has commented publicly on the divorce filing. But given the timing so close to their milestone anniversary, the news has left fans surprised. Many have taken to social media to note the irony, with one fan writing, “Twenty-nine years almost to the day — that’s heartbreaking.”
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