Tomeka Thiam, the wife of Senegalese-American musician Akon, has filed for divorce just four days before what would have marked their 29th wedding anniversary.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Thiam submitted the filing on Thursday, September 11, citing irreconcilable differences. She did not specify an exact date of separation but confirmed that the couple shares a 17-year-old daughter, Journey.
Thiam is seeking joint legal custody of Journey while requesting primary physical custody, with visitation rights granted to Akon, 52. She also asked for spousal support but urged the court not to grant the singer any support from her.
Akon, who has long spoken openly about his belief in polygamy, revealed in a 2022 interview on The Zeze Mills Show that he has nine children. At the time, he described polygamy as an integral part of his African heritage.
“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.”
The “Smack That” and “Don’t Matter” hitmaker emphasized that while he may not always be 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,” he explained, adding that technology allows him to stay connected daily.
In 2023, artist Amirror claimed she was one of Akon’s four wives, noting 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.”
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