Akon Faces Divorce As Wife Requests Custody, Spousal Support

Global music icon Akon is undergoing a significant personal shift as his wife, Tomeka Thiam, has formally filed for divorce after close to 30 years of marriage.

According to People, court papers filed on September 11, 2025, in Fulton County, Georgia, show that Thiam is seeking to end the marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.

The couple, who have one daughter together, were nearing what would have been their 29th wedding anniversary next month.

In her filing, Thiam requested joint legal custody of their daughter while seeking primary physical custody for herself, granting Akon visitation rights.

She is also requesting spousal support for herself and has asked the court to reject Akon’s request for any.

The divorce comes as 51-year-old Akon continues to publicly defend his stance on polygamy, a practice he has long linked to his cultural heritage.

During a 2022 appearance on The Zeze Mills Show, he characterized polygamy as a natural part of his cultural heritage, stating, “(Polygamy is) part of our culture. Absolutely. For me, it looks normal, because it’s culture for us. We didn’t go outside of our African culture when we got to the Western world. See, the flaw that the Western world made is they created all these rules without putting nature into account.”

Akon, who has publicly acknowledged fathering nine children, has frequently discussed how he manages family responsibilities alongside his demanding career.

He acknowledged that, although he provides financial stability and support for his family, his presence at daily events is limited.

“My job ain’t to be doing all that extra stuff and these holidays and recitals,” he said in the same 2022 interview. “While I’m taking care of my responsibility to make sure the family has a roof over their head and food, if I have the time to do that and show love, yes, I will do that.”

He also noted that technology has played a key role in helping him stay connected.

“Me showing up for my children is me being there for them financially. I’m there if I’m around. But it’s impossible to be everywhere and every place. And technology allows me to be there every day, FaceTime and other methods.”

So far, neither Akon nor Thiam has issued an official statement regarding the filing.