Studying Time: 3 minutes
Janet Jackson has been married and divorced a number of instances throughout her legendary profession.
There’s a couple of solution to finish a wedding.
Not all of Janet’s husbands departed by the divorce course of.
Right here’s a take a look at her advanced private historical past — and the place issues stand at this time.
Singer and actress Janet Jackson poses within the press room through the 51st American Music Awards on the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, Nevada on Could 26, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
Janet Jackson was 18 when she eloped with James DeBarge
When Janet Jackson was 16, she started courting 19-year-old singer James DeBarge.
(That could be a massive age hole and will not be authorized in some jurisdictions, nevertheless it’s in all probability fantastic in and of itself)
Two years later, on September 7, 1984, the 2 eloped.
Janet had confided solely in sister LaToya Jackson about her plans.
In 1985, she and James acquired an annulment. In accordance with Janet, this was as a result of James’ alleged substance abuse.
Inductee Janet Jackson attends the 2019 Rock & Roll Corridor Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Middle on March 29, 2019. (Picture Credit score: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Pictures For The Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame)
Her second marriage was a secret till it ended
The next yr, in 1986, Janet started courting René Elizondo Jr.
She and the dancer, songwriter, and director married — in secret — in March of 1991.
Regardless of Janet being a part of one of many Nineteen Nineties’ most well-known households, they managed to maintain their marriage secret till 2000.
In January 1999, they separated. Solely the divorce made their marriage public information.
René filed a lawsuit, in search of a a large multimillion greenback settlement. In October 2003, he and Janet Jackson have been formally divorced, and reached a settlement. In accordance with Forbes, it was to the tune of $10 million in spousal help.
Producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri and singer and actress Janet Jackson arrive to the “We Own The Night” after-party introduced by The Cinema Society at The Bowery Resort on October 9, 2007. (Photograph Credit score: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Pictures)
Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri by no means married, nevertheless it was a long-term and important relationship
Throughout that contentious divorce course of, Janet Jackson dated Jermaine Dupri.
They apparently met backstage at certainly one of her reveals.
Jermaine, too, was a music producer, rapper, and songwriter — persevering with her sample of significant relationships throughout the leisure trade.
Experiences fluctuate on the exact timeline, however they started courting in 2002, and break up in both 2008 or as late as 2009.
(2009 was the yr when Janet’s notorious brother died, however with no clear grasp on the timeline it’s exhausting to say what life occasions impacted others)
Janet Jackson attends the inaugural British Museum Ball at The British Museum on October 18, 2025. (Photograph Credit score: Lia Toby/Getty Pictures)
Her marriage to Wissam Al Mana was not a secret, however the marriage ceremony was
In October 2006, Janet Jackson had her first introduction to Wissam Al Mana, a Qatari businessman.
Nonetheless, they didn’t start courting till years later — in 2010.
They remained a reasonably non-public couple, changing into engaged and marrying in 2012 with out the same old media circus.
That doesn’t imply that it was a small or non-public ceremony.
Wissam spent a reported $20 million on the nuptials, flying in 500 visitors to the ceremony in Doha, Qatar.
Wissam al Mana and Janet Jackson attend the Giorgio Armani trend present throughout Milan Style Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2013/14 on February 25, 2013. (Photograph Credit score: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Pictures)
At this time, Janet Jackson is divorced
In January of 2017, 5 years after their high-end (but secret) marriage ceremony, then 50-year-old Janet Jackson gave start to the couple’s son, Eissa Al Mana.
Sadly, the wedding itself quickly broke down.
In April — only a few months after they welcomed Eissa — reviews shared that Janet and Wissam had separated.
The next month, Janet confirmed that the wedding was over.
Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana went by a contentious break up, however at the moment are formally divorced.
