Tomeka Thiam, the wife of singer-songwriter Akon, filed for divorce this week, court documents obtained by TMZ show. The filing, reported by the New York Post on Friday, came days before the couple’s 29th wedding anniversary on Sept. 15 and cites irreconcilable differences.
Thiam, who says she and Akon married in 1996, is seeking joint legal custody and sole physical custody of the 17-year-old child she says they share. The documents also request spousal support from Akon and ask the court to bar any award of spousal support to the singer.
Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, first rose to prominence with the 2004 hits "Lonely" and "Locked Up" and his debut album "Trouble." The Senegalese-American artist, 52, has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has maintained a high public profile while keeping many aspects of his private life out of the spotlight.
The New York Post reported that it reached out to Akon’s representative for comment. The court documents obtained by TMZ are the primary source of the filing details published so far.
In public remarks over the years, Akon has discussed his role as a father. During a 2022 interview, he said he considered himself the father of nine children and described being responsible for their well-being. He told interviewers that he supports and cares for each of his children and that their mothers are "with it," comments that were widely reported at the time.
Outside of his personal life, Akon has pursued several business ventures. He began promoting the concept of "Akon City," a planned $6 billion development in Senegal first unveiled in 2020 and described by the artist as a "real-life Wakanda." Reports this summer said the original plan was scrapped after years of delays and that Akon was working on a more modest, realistic project in its place.
Akon has also spoken publicly about the future of music and technology, telling the Associated Press in April 2024 that artificial intelligence could enhance the music experience rather than destroy it. "I think AI is going to actually make the experience better, believe it or not," he said, adding that changes in the industry have made it more difficult for both artists and fans to find and connect with meaningful work.
Thiam and Akon have appeared together at public events in recent years, including the 2024 BET Awards. Photographs taken at celebratory events earlier this year show Thiam attending solo appearances as well.
The filing marks a significant development in the couple’s long marriage and comes as Akon continues his music and business activities. Details in the court documents will be subject to verification in filings and any subsequent court proceedings. Media representatives for the parties had not issued a public statement at the time of the Post’s report.