The Marriage Ends
After twenty-nine years together, Tomeka Thiam has officially moved to end her marriage to Akon. Newly filed court documents reveal that the two were legally married on September 15, 1996. In the filing, Thiam emphasized that she is the mother of one of Akon’s children, a 17-year-old. For years, Akon has been deliberately vague in interviews about how many wives he has had. The court documents now confirm the legal marriage to Thiam and highlight their long history together. This marks the first time the relationship has been defined in such formal legal terms. The divorce filing signals the beginning of a major change in the singer’s personal life.
Thiam’s decision brings clarity to a relationship that has often been shrouded in speculation. Akon’s past comments about polygamy fueled public curiosity but rarely offered solid answers. By filing in court, Thiam put a legal spotlight on their union in a way Akon never did publicly. The document outlines both her connection to Akon and her role as mother to their teenage child. That detail ties their marriage directly to family responsibility. The combination of marriage history and parental status creates a firm legal ground for her requests. This new phase shifts attention from interviews and speculation to courtroom filings and official records.
The marriage’s end is more than a personal announcement; it is now a public record. Court filings ensure that what once lived in rumors and questions now has a legal trail. Thiam’s step sets boundaries in a relationship where Akon had often blurred them in public statements. For nearly three decades, their bond remained largely behind the curtain of speculation. Now the divorce process opens it to scrutiny and confirms its legal start date. The formal acknowledgment changes the narrative that had swirled around Akon’s personal life. The long partnership is ending, and the documentation leaves no room for ambiguity.
Custody and Support Battle
Thiam is seeking joint legal custody of their 17-year-old child. In addition, she has asked for physical custody, which would place the child primarily with her. Beyond custody, she is also requesting spousal support. At the same time, she has asked the court to make sure Akon is not granted any spousal support in return. The filings reflect her effort to define clear financial and parental arrangements. As of now, Akon has not made any public statement about the divorce filing. That silence leaves the court documents as the only official source of detail.
The request for joint legal custody while pursuing physical custody shows a split between authority and residence. Legal custody means both parents would share responsibility for decisions about the child. Physical custody, however, would give Thiam the right to house the child and manage day-to-day living. This arrangement would keep Akon involved in legal matters while limiting his residential role. It underscores Thiam’s intent to maintain shared responsibility but with defined limits. The structure of the request reveals how she envisions co-parenting under new terms. The balance between shared authority and primary residence is central to the case.
Her demand for spousal support, combined with the rejection of any in Akon’s favor, sets clear financial lines. Thiam’s filing makes it clear she expects support from Akon but wants protection from paying him. This move is consistent with a spouse seeking both stability and fairness in a long marriage’s end. The court will determine how those financial boundaries are enforced. The absence of Akon’s response leaves that decision unresolved. Until he responds, the case remains one-sided in detail but official in record. The tension lies not only in custody but also in money and responsibility.
Public Life and Akon City
The divorce comes against a backdrop of years of speculation about Akon’s personal life. His views on polygamy and his unwillingness to give direct answers about his wives have long fueled curiosity. Despite sidestepping those questions, Thiam remained one of his most publicly known partners. That visibility has now shifted from interviews and gossip to legal filings and public record. The contrast between Akon’s public vagueness and Thiam’s legal clarity is stark. With this filing, her role in his life is no longer open to interpretation. It is laid out in court documents, signed and filed.
Even as he faces divorce, Akon continues his work on Akon City in Senegal. The project, long surrounded by controversy, was reportedly called off earlier this summer. Despite that, Akon recently told TMZ that the reports are filled with misinformation. He insisted the project is still alive and continuing. He described the project as being “under attack” because of the impact it could have on Africa. In his view, false reports are part of an effort to undermine it. That defense stands in sharp contrast to the skepticism surrounding the project’s future.
Akon’s statement reflects his ongoing commitment to Akon City, even during personal turmoil. He told TMZ that misinformation will not stop the development. He emphasized the project’s potential to influence Africa in a powerful way. His insistence on its continuation shows how closely his personal identity is tied to it. The project remains controversial, yet Akon maintains its importance and viability. His words reflect both resilience and defiance. At the same time, the divorce marks a turning point in his personal world.