The Akon-Tomeka Thiam divorce saga has gripped headlines worldwide, as the R&B icon’s long-time wife officially ended their nearly three-decade union in a California court filing last month, citing irreconcilable differences just days shy of their 29th wedding anniversary.
Akon’s wife has filed for divorce after 29 years of marriage, demanding €100 million. She claims to have contributed to his fortune, but court checks of his bank account revealed only $10,000, with the rest of his money held in his mother’s name.
Tomeka Thiam, 45, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight during Akon’s glittering career, is now seeking spousal support, joint legal custody, and primary physical custody of the couple’s 17-year-old daughter, Zaara, in what marks a poignant chapter close for one of music’s enduring power couples.
Court documents, first reported by entertainment outlets, reveal Thiam submitted the petition on September 11, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, thrusting the private lives of Akon, born Aliaune Thiam, and his first wife into the public eye.
The timing, just days before their milestone celebration on September 14, has fuelled speculation about underlying tensions simmering beneath the surface of Akon’s globe-trotting philanthropy and hit-making empire.
Akon, 52, whose 2000s smashes like “Lonely” and “Don’t Matter” propelled him to diamond-selling status, has yet to respond publicly, leaving fans dissecting old interviews where he gushed about family as his anchor amid the chaos of fame.
Thiam, a former marketing executive who met Akon in the early ’90s through mutual Senegalese-American circles, married him in 1996 after a whirlwind romance that produced four children: sons Antwon, Malik, and Jole, plus daughter Zaara.
For years, she embodied quiet strength, raising the kids in Atlanta while Akon built Konvict Muzik and his Akon Lighting Africa initiative, which has lit up over 1 million homes across the continent.
Insiders paint a picture of a partnership strained by the singer’s relentless schedule, with tour dates in Europe one week and board meetings in Dakar the next, compounded by the isolation of celebrity life. “Tomeka was the rock, but rocks crack under endless pressure,” a music industry source confided, speaking anonymously to respect the family’s privacy.
As the Akon divorce proceedings with Tomeka Thiam unfold, viral whispers on social media have added a tabloid twist. Rumours, swirling on platforms like Instagram and X, claim Thiam eyed a whopping €100 million settlement only to uncover a mere $10,000 in Akon’s personal accounts, with his estimated $80 million fortune allegedly tucked away in his mother’s name, a savvy move echoing high-profile asset manoeuvres by stars like Kylian Mbappé’s ex, Achraf Hakimi, or UFC’s Israel Adesanya.
These tales, amplified by meme-heavy posts from netizens, have notched millions of views, blending schadenfreude with admiration for Akon’s supposed financial foresight.
Akon’s team has stonewalled queries, but a rep confirmed the documents’ authenticity without delving into finances. This split isn’t just personal—it’s a seismic shift for hip-hop’s elder statesmen.
Akon, who once headlined Coachella and collaborated with everyone from Lady Gaga to Eminem, has pivoted to crypto ventures and African infrastructure in recent years, amassing a diverse portfolio that could complicate asset division.
Thiam’s requests align with California family law norms for long-term marriages, prioritising child welfare amid the couple’s blended family dynamics (Akon shares two other sons and twin daughters with second wife Rozina Negusei). Legal eagles predict a drawn-out mediation, especially with Zaara’s college years looming, but sources hint at an amicable undercurrent, no messy infidelity claims or explosive affidavits yet.
