Akon’s wife, Tomeka Thiam, has filed for divorce after 29 years of marriage, demanding a €100 million (Ksh17 billion) settlement and custody of their daughter.

The news has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, as the couple had long been seen as one of the more enduring unions in the industry. Tomeka cited irreconcilable differences and emotional neglect as reasons for the split

In a surprising twist, the court handling the divorce proceedings reportedly discovered that Akon had only $10,000 in his personal account. This revelation has sparked widespread debate online, given the singer’s reputation for wealth and philanthropy across Africa and the United States.

A source close to the case alleged that Akon’s fortune might be strategically stored elsewhere, particularly in his mother’s account. “The court couldn’t trace the bulk of his assets directly to him,” the insider claimed, fuelling speculation that the singer could be protecting his wealth ahead of the divorce settlement.

Tomeka claims she played a significant role in building Akon’s business empire, which includes ventures in music, real estate, and the Akon Lighting Africa initiative. The marriage had reportedly been strained for years, with Tomeka citing Akon’s multiple public relationships and lack of financial transparency.

Some users defended Akon, suggesting that wealthy individuals often structure their finances in ways that make liquid cash appear limited.

Others, however, questioned why the singer’s spouse of nearly three decades would seek such a massive settlement if his financial standing was unclear.

Neither Akon nor Tomeka has made a public statement clarifying the current status of their marriage or financial dispute.