Singer and entrepreneur Akon is shedding light on one of the most discussed aspects of his personal life, offering rare insight into how he manages a family structure that includes multiple wives.
Per People, the Grammy-nominated artist spoke candidly during a recent appearance on the "We Need To Talk" podcast, where he addressed questions about his long-rumored polygamous lifestyle and the principles he says keep the arrangement functioning.
While Akon confirmed that he continues to have multiple wives, he declined to reveal the exact number.
"I'll just leave that to your imagination," the 53-year-old musician said when asked about the size of his family.
Despite keeping some details private, Akon explained that the structure of the household revolves around a clear hierarchy. According to the singer, the first wife holds a special position within the family and plays a significant role in maintaining stability among all members.
"That one is the reason you even got one, two or three," Akon said. "She's the queen."
Akon added that respect for the first wife is considered essential and that conflicts involving her are not tolerated within the family dynamic. He acknowledged that integrating new family members can be challenging, particularly for the first wife, who must adapt to different personalities, attitudes and habits entering the household over time.
"With new people joining your family, there's going to be new attitudes, new mindsets, new behaviors," he said, according to AllHipHop.
The singer also emphasized that fairness is a key component of the arrangement. According to Akon, a husband in a polygamous marriage must provide equal support and resources to all wives, a responsibility he described as requiring commitment and discipline.
"Communication, maturity and clearly established boundaries are the primary reasons the system works," he said.
The comments come months after reports that Tomeka Thiam, Akon's longtime wife, filed for divorce in September 2025, just days before the couple's 29th wedding anniversary. Akon did not discuss details of the divorce proceedings during the podcast appearance.
Known for hit songs such as Locked Up", "Smack That" and "Lonely", Akon has often generated headlines for his business ventures and philanthropic projects in addition to his music career. Nonetheless, he has always been private when it comes to issues about his family.
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