Akon and Tomeka Thiam Split: Wife Files for Divorce Days Before 29th Anniversary — Custody, Support at Center of Filing

Akon and Tomeka Thiam Split: Wife Files for Divorce Days Before 29th Anniversary — Custody, Support at Center of Filing

Atlanta, Georgia (Sept. 15, 2025)

Tomeka Thiam, the longtime wife of singer-producer Akon, filed for divorce on Sept. 11, 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences” and asking the court for spousal support and custody arrangements for the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Journey. The filing — lodged just four days before what would have been the couple’s 29th wedding anniversary — signals a legal end to a marriage that began in 1996 and was kept largely private for decades.

According to court documents obtained by media outlets, Thiam is requesting joint legal custody of Journey while seeking primary physical custody, with Akon to receive visitation rights. She is also asking the court to award her spousal support and has specifically asked that Akon not be awarded spousal support from her. The petition lists the date of separation as “TBD.”

Thiam’s position is reflected in the formal petition itself — the clearest public record to date of her requests and the grounds for seeking dissolution. The filing frames the split as the result of irreconcilable differences and sets custody and financial support as the primary legal issues to be resolved.

As of publication, Akon — legally Aliaune Badara Thiam — has not issued a public statement directly addressing the divorce filing. Multiple outlets report that representatives for both parties were contacted for comment but no on-the-record response from Akon had been provided. In the absence of a new, direct statement from the musician, reporters have leaned on Akon’s past public comments about family structure and polygamy to provide context.

Akon has publicly discussed practicing polygamy and having a large blended family in past interviews, saying he has multiple children and defending large-family arrangements as part of his cultural outlook. That background — and previous public references to his role as a provider rather than a frequent daily presence in every child’s life — has drawn media attention as the filing reopens questions about how custody and parenting will be handled across his extended family.

Timeline of Akon and Tomeka Thiam’s Relationship

  • 1993–1995 – Akon meets Tomeka Thiam in Atlanta, reportedly through mutual friends in the city’s growing R&B/hip-hop scene.

  • 1996 – The couple marry in a private ceremony.

  • Early 2000s – Akon’s breakthrough single “Locked Up” (2004) launches his global career, while Tomeka keeps a low public profile.

  • Mid-2000s – They welcome their daughter, Journey (born around 2008), and continue to raise her largely out of the spotlight.

  • 2006–2015 – Akon expands into business ventures including Konvict Muzik, Akon Lighting Africa, and various philanthropic projects, occasionally mentioning his large family but rarely appearing publicly with Tomeka.

  • 2018 – In interviews, Akon confirms he has multiple children and speaks openly about his belief in polygamy and large families, while Tomeka remains private.

  • September 11, 2025 – Tomeka Thiam files for divorce in Georgia, citing irreconcilable differences, requesting spousal support, and seeking primary physical custody of Journey.

  • September 15, 2025 – The couple’s 29th wedding anniversary passes amid the pending divorce proceedings.

The filing sets the legal process in motion; next steps typically include Akon’s formal response in court, potential temporary orders for custody and support, and either negotiated settlement talks or a contested proceeding. Because the couple share a minor child, family-court judges will focus on the child’s best interests when ruling on physical custody and visitation requests. Media outlets covering celebrity family law will be watching for any attorney filings or public statements that clarify Akon’s position.

Beyond the personal impact on the family, the case is likely to draw sustained coverage because of Akon’s public profile, his previous comments about polygamy and parenting, and the scale of his business and philanthropic enterprises. Observers note that multiple children and relationships could complicate negotiations over support and schedules if the matter becomes contested.

 

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