Entertainment September 13,2025
In a move that has surprised fans and the entertainment industry alike, Tomeka Thiam, the longtime wife of multi-platinum artist Akon, has filed for divorce after 29 years of marriage.
Court documents confirm that Thiam officially petitioned to dissolve the union on September 11, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. The filing, which was first reported by outlets including TMZ and People, brings an end to one of the music industry’s more enduring and private relationships.
Thiam’s petition includes requests for joint legal custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, with her having primary physical custody. She is also seeking spousal support from the singer, whose net worth has been estimated in the tens of millions.
Akon, 52, has remained silent on the matter so far, with no public statement or comment from his representatives.
The couple’s relationship began long before the Senegalese-American artist skyrocketed to international fame in the mid-2000s with mega-hits like “Locked Up” and “Smack That.” Unlike many celebrity marriages, theirs was largely kept out of the spotlight, serving as a steady constant throughout Akon’s prolific career as a musician, producer, and entrepreneur.
However, the divorce filing brings renewed attention to the complexities of Akon’s personal life. Over the years, the artist has been openly candid about his polygamous beliefs and has acknowledged having other partners, which has frequently led to speculation about the state of his primary marriage.
The timing of the divorce filing places a personal milestone at a transitional professional period for Akon. While his presence on the music charts has waned, he has remained a prominent figure in business headlines, primarily due to his ambitious “Akon City” project in Senegal—a planned futuristic city powered by cryptocurrency, though its development has been met with skepticism.
For their daughter, the request for custody arrangements suggests Thiam will be the primary caregiver, while both parents would share in major life decisions. The spousal support claim indicates the significant financial recalibration that typically follows the dissolution of a long-term marriage to a high-net-worth individual.
The news has resonated with fans across the globe, for whom Akon represents not just a defining voice of 2000s pop and R&B, but also a symbol of African innovation and philanthropy through initiatives like Akon Lighting Africa.
As the legal process begins, the public awaits any response from Akon and watches to see how this personal ending will shape the next chapter for both the global icon and Tomeka Thiam.
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