American pop star, Janet Jackson, has confirmed her separation and not divorce from her multi-millionaire husband, Wissam Al Mana.
The news on her separation has been confirmed to ABC News.
According to reports, a rep told the news channel that the couple are “not divorcing, but separating.”
ABC News reported that in 2013, Janet revealed that they were actually married after the couple got sick of seeing reports about planning their lavish, expensive wedding.
The Together Again singer revealed that they’d tied the knot in a secret ceremony the year before.
But now, they have split just months after Janet gave birth to their son, Eissa, becoming a mum for the first time at the age of 50.
Janet had changed a lot recently, becoming more reserved after living her life in the public eye for years.
Just last October, a pregnant Janet was seen walking around London, hand-in-hand with Wissam, in an outfit much more modest than her usual get-up.
The hooded knee-length black poncho and hair-covering she was wearing were a far cry from the outfits she wore on stage when she performed around the world.
Her infamous 2004 “wardrobe malfunction” during her half-time Superbowl performance – when her stage costume was ripped apart by Justin Timberlake to expose her right breast decorated with a sequined nipple shield – will go down as one of television’s most outrageous moments.
But her husband, Qatari businessman Wissam – worth up to £800million – was thought to be uncomfortable with her overtly sexual image and Janet’s progressive handle on both sexual liberation and her own body.
It’s said that Janet’s friends felt it was her husband who encouraged her to tone her image down.
While one source has said the split is amicable, others say the marriage had been on the rocks for months – and that soon after the birth Janet was seen without her wedding ring. Rumours of a breakup then were denied.
Janet was a worldwide performer, with number ones, awards, and millions of album sales, while Wissam is said to be more private and reserved.
And it was believed that Janet converted to Islam following their marriage.
She has never confirmed or denied that she had become a Muslim – yet she took to frequently ending concerts with the blessing “Inshallah” (if God wills).
Around the time of her reported conversion, one insider claimed: “Janet feels like she has found a home with her new religion and has told members of her family about it. They all completely respect her choice.
“She’s spent a great deal of time studying the religion and its followers.”
Wissam, 42, is CEO of the multinational Al Mana business conglomerate, his net worth reckoned to be four times Janet’s own wealth.
As well as their London house, the couple have homes in Manhattan’s Trump Tower and Qatari capital Doha.
It was reported at the weekend that the marriage was ending.
“Sadly, Janet and Wissam have decided that it wasn’t working and to go their separate ways,” a source told the Mail on Sunday.
“They’re both busy people but determined to be good parents, even if they’re apart.
“It’s amicable and Eissa will stay with his mother, who is basing herself in London.”
Mirror Online has contacted Janet’s representatives for comment.
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