Hollywood's renowned vocalist Akon's spouse Tomeka Thiam has initiated divorce proceedings just days ahead of their 29th wedding anniversary. The pair tied the knot in September 1996 and are parents to nine children, including five daughters. Among them, he shares a 17-year-old daughter with her.

Akon's spouse initiates divorce
According to reports from PEOPLE, Akon's wife Thiam submitted her divorce filing on September 11, with the official separation date yet to be determined. She has requested joint custody of their daughter Journey, allowing Akon visitation rights.
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When Akon discussed Polygamy as part of their 'culture'
In a previous interview with the same news outlet, Akon shared his views on Polygamy, describing it as 'normal' and integral to their culture. He stated, "(Polygamy is) part of our culture. Absolutely. To me, it seems normal because it's part of our heritage. We didn't abandon our African roots when we arrived in the Western world. The mistake the Western world made was establishing all these rules without considering nature. My role isn't to engage in all that extra stuff, like holidays and recitals. While I focus on ensuring my family has shelter and food, if I can also show love, then yes, I will do that."
Who is Tomeka Thiam?
Tomeka was born in the United States in 1975, identifying as African-American and a Christian, and she operates a well-respected hair and beauty salon in Atlanta, Georgia. Her estimated net worth is $500,000. She met Akon when she was 18 and he was 20, introduced by her brother at a friend's apartment in Georgia during the early 1990s. The couple eventually married and became partners in 1996.