October 13, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events that has captivated fans and financial observers alike, Akon’s wife Tomeka Thiam has filed for divorce after nearly three decades of marriage, demanding €100 million (approximately $105 million) in compensation while claims emerge that the singer’s wealth is securely held in his mother’s accounts, leaving only $10,000 in his personal bank account .
The Divorce Filing
Tomeka Thiam initiated divorce proceedings on September 11, 2025, just days before what would have been the couple’s 29th wedding anniversary on September 15 . Court documents obtained by news outlets reveal that Thiam cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split and listed their date of separation as “TBD” (to be determined) .
In her filing, Thiam is seeking joint legal custody of their 17-year-old daughter Journey, while requesting sole physical custody . She has also asked for spousal support from the 52-year-old singer, whose legal name is Aliaune Badara Thiam, while simultaneously requesting to block the court’s ability to award him any spousal support .
A Financial Puzzle
The divorce has taken a dramatic financial turn with reports emerging that the court handling the case found only $10,000 in Akon’s personal bank account despite his decades of commercial success in music and business . This discovery appears strikingly at odds with public estimates of the singer’s wealth.
Multiple reputable sources, including Celebrity Net Worth, estimate Akon’s current net worth at approximately $50 million , accumulated through his successful music career, record labels Konvict Muzik and KonLive Distribution, various business ventures, and royalties from launching artists like Lady Gaga . At his peak, Akon earned a staggering $20 million in 2009 alone .
According to reports from The Sun and other outlets, Thiam is demanding €100 million (approximately $105 million) as compensation in the divorce settlement, arguing that she played a key role in Akon’s rise in both music and business . The significant discrepancy between Akon’s documented wealth and his personal account balance has sparked speculation and debate online.
Sources close to the matter claim that “the singer’s wealth is sitting comfortably in his mother’s account” , leading to rumors that Akon may have moved his assets to protect them during the divorce proceedings . This situation has prompted legal experts to warn that the case could become increasingly complicated if evidence emerges that his wealth has been intentionally placed under his mother’s name .
A Marriage Through Fame and Controversy
Akon and Tomeka Thiam’s relationship has endured through his meteoric rise to fame, from his 2004 breakout single “Locked Up” through his multiple Grammy nominations and business expansions . The couple first met in 1993 and married three years later on September 15, 1996 . While most reports indicate they share one daughter, Journey Thiam, some sources claim they have additional children together .
In a July 2024 interview with US Magazine, just months before the divorce filing, the couple had shared what they described as “super simple” secrets to their relationship of three decades, emphasizing “loyalty and commitment” and having each other’s backs . Akon had elaborated on this philosophy at the BET Awards in June 2024, stating, “You trust the person you’re with, you make sure you back them in whatever situation. Everyone’s gonna have a flaw” .
Broader Context: Polygamy and Business Ventures
The divorce filing brings new attention to Akon’s complicated personal life, which has long been the subject of speculation regarding his open practice of polygamy . In various interviews, the singer has revealed that he is the father of nine children with multiple women .
In a 2022 interview with VladTV, Akon purposefully avoided clarifying the rumors about multiple marriages, stating, “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” . More recently, in 2023, musician ‘Amirror’, aka Amirah-Iman Thiam, claimed that she was one of his four wives .
Akon’s diverse business ventures extend beyond his music career:
Venture Type Examples Status/Notes
Record Labels Konvict Muzik, KonLive Distribution Launched careers of Lady Gaga, T-Pain
Philanthropy Akon Lighting Africa Provides solar power to African communities
Ambitious Projects Akon City, Akoin cryptocurrency Faced significant delays and setbacks
Other Ventures Diamond mines, fashion line, energy drink Various levels of success
Despite these ambitious ventures, the Akon City project in Senegal has faced substantial challenges. The Senegalese government formally scrapped Akon’s original plans for the $6 billion city in 2025 after years of delays and failure to meet financial obligations .
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The apparent discrepancy between Akon’s documented wealth and his personal finances presents a complex legal challenge. As one legal expert commented, the case could turn “much harder to settle” if evidence confirms that his wealth has been intentionally placed under his mother’s name .
As of now, neither Akon nor his representatives have made any public statements about the divorce case , leaving fans and observers awaiting further developments in what appears to be a multifaceted legal battle that combines marital dissolution, substantial financial assets, and questions about asset placement.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both parties, potentially setting precedents for how courts handle similar situations where substantial assets may be held in family members’ names during divorce proceedings.
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