Tomeka Thiam, the wife of Senegalese-American singer Akon, filed for divorce on Thursday, September 11, 2025, just four days before the couple’s 29th wedding anniversary.
Court documents obtained by PEOPLE show that Thiam cited irreconcilable differences in her filing.
While she did not indicate an exact date of separation, the couple shares a 17-year-old daughter, Journey.
Thiam is seeking joint legal custody of Journey, requesting primary physical custody for herself, and visitation rights for Akon, 52.
She also requested spousal support while asking the court not to grant any support to the singer from her.
Akon, known for hits including Smack That and Don’t Matter, has spoken openly about his belief in polygamy.
In a 2022 interview on The Zeze Mills Show, he revealed that he has nine children, describing polygamy as part of his African heritage.
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“For me, it looks normal, because it’s culture for us,” he said. “The flaw that the Western world made is they created all these rules without putting nature into account.”
He added that despite not always being present for holidays or school events, he remains committed to supporting his children and their mothers.
“My job is to raise my kids to be responsible, to be understanding, and to protect their mother,” Akon said, noting that technology allows him to stay connected daily.
In 2023, artist Amirror claimed to be one of Akon’s four wives, explaining that the women live in separate households across Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Africa.
She described their arrangement as cultural rather than manipulative, saying:
“Every woman wants to be the only one, and it’s okay. But this is our culture, you either accept it or you don’t.”