Singer Akon and his wife Tomeka Thiam are heading for divorce after almost three decades together.
Tomeka filed the papers just four days before what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary.
According to court documents, she filed on September 11, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split. Interestingly, she left the date of separation as “to be decided”. It means it is not yet clear when the couple officially parted ways.
The filing also revealed that the couple has a daughter together, 17-year-old Journey. Tomeka is asking for joint legal custody of their child, but she wants physical custody to remain with her.
That means Journey would stay with her most of the time, while Akon would get visitation rights. Along with that, Tomeka is requesting spousal support from Akon but has asked that the court not allow him to receive any support from her.
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Akon, known worldwide for hits like ‘Smack That’ and ‘Lonely’, has often made headlines for his personal beliefs. The singer has spoken openly about polygamy, something he says is deeply rooted in his African culture.
In a 2022 interview, Akon revealed that he has nine children. He explained that having multiple partners is normal for him because it is part of the tradition he grew up with.
“Polygamy is part of our culture. Absolutely,” Akon had said in that interview. “We didn’t leave our African culture behind when we came to the Western world. The problem in the West is that they created rules without considering nature.”
He also admitted that he doesn’t always take part in family activities like school recitals or holiday events. According to him, his main role is to provide for the family and make sure their needs are met.
“If I have the time to do those things and show love, I will. But my priority is making sure the family has a roof and food,” he said. Akon added that technology helps him stay connected with his children, saying, “That’s what FaceTime is for.”