A love story that began nearly three decades ago has come to an unexpected and painful end. Just days before what would have marked their 29th wedding anniversary, singer and producer Akon faces a deeply personal upheaval—his wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
According to court documents, Tomeka is seeking joint legal custody but sole physical custody of their 17-year-old daughter, Journey.
She has also requested spousal support while aiming to prevent Akon from receiving any in return—a move signaling a definitive close to their chapter together.
For years, Akon, born Aliaune Badara Thiam, has shielded his private life from public scrutiny, fueling intrigue about his relationships.
The “Lonely” hitmaker has long faced speculation around polygamy, something he has neither confirmed nor denied. In a 2022 VladTV interview, he playfully acknowledged the rumors, saying, “I’mma let it stay a rumor. I like the fact that people are guessing now. I love it. I’m not confirming nor denying.”
Akon, now 52, is a father of nine—seven boys and two girls—with multiple women. Despite the complexity of his family, he has often spoken about fatherhood with pride, comparing his role to TV host Nick Cannon, who has 12 children with six women.
“That’s how life is supposed to be,” he said in a 2023 interview on The Zeze Mills Show. “I got nine and I’m there for every one of mine.”
Yet, even the most resilient of men face heartbreak. The divorce not only signals a separation from Tomeka but marks a profound shift in Akon’s private world—a life long kept behind velvet ropes of fame.
A Timeline of Love, Life, and Loss For Akon
- Mid-1990s: Akon and Tomeka reportedly meet and begin a relationship that would last decades, long before his rise to global superstardom.
- 1996: The couple marries, setting the foundation for what would become nearly three decades together.
- 2010s: As Akon dominates the charts with hits like Lonely and Smack That, Tomeka remains largely out of the public eye. Speculation about Akon’s relationships swirls, yet he stays silent.
- 2010–2020s: The couple raises their daughter, Journey. Akon acknowledges fathering nine children with several women, but Tomeka remains the anchor of his family life.
- 2022: Akon addresses rumors of polygamy in a VladTV interview, continuing to let the public speculate on his love life.
- 2023: In candid remarks on The Zeze Mills Show, Akon speaks about fatherhood and responsibility with striking openness.
- September 2025: Mere days before their 29th anniversary, Tomeka files for divorce, bringing an official end to a nearly three-decade marriage.
Akon has yet to publicly comment on the filing. As the music superstar faces this intensely personal chapter, fans are left witnessing a side of Akon rarely seen—a man navigating heartbreak, family, and life beyond the stage.
