Akon’s Wife Tomeka Thiam Files for Divorce After 28 Years of Marriage

After nearly three decades together, Akon and his longtime wife Tomeka Thiam are heading for divorce.

According to court documents obtained by Billboard on September 12, 2025, Tomeka filed for divorce just three days before what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary, citing irreconcilable differences as grounds for the split.

Custody and Support

The filing reveals that Tomeka is seeking joint legal custody but sole physical custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Journey. She is also requesting spousal support from the 52-year-old singer—whose legal name is Aliaune Badara Thiam—while simultaneously asking the court to block any possibility of awarding him spousal support in return.

Representatives for both Akon and Tomeka have yet to comment publicly on the case.

Rare Glimpse Into Akon’s Private Life

The divorce provides a rare public window into Akon’s private life. For years, speculation has swirled around the singer’s marital status and whether he practices polygamy. Akon himself has leaned into the mystery, neither confirming nor denying the claims.

“I’mma let it stay a rumor,” he told VladTV in 2022. “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.”

The singer has previously stated that he has seven sons and two daughters, with the latest filing confirming his tally of nine children.

Fatherhood in the Spotlight

Akon has often drawn comparisons to media personality Nick Cannon, who has 12 children with six women. In a 2023 interview on The Zeze Mills Show, Akon defended large families with multiple mothers as natural, provided the father is responsible.

“That’s how life is supposed to be,” he said. “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.”

The Road Ahead

While details of the divorce proceedings remain under wraps, the split brings to an end one of Akon’s longest and most private relationships. The Grammy-nominated artist, best known for hits like Lonely and Smack That, has yet to make a personal statement.