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Janet Jackson was married and divorced several times during her legendary career.
There is more than one way to end a marriage.
Not all of Janet’s husbands left during the divorce process.
Here’s a look at her complicated personal history — and where things stand today.
Janet Jackson was 18 when she eloped with James DeBarge
When Janet Jackson was 16, she started dating 19-year-old singer James DeBarge.
(This is a large age gap and may not be legal in some jurisdictions, but is probably fine in itself)
Two years later, on September 7, 1984, the two eloped.
Janet only trusted her sister LaToya Jackson with her plans.
In 1985, she and James obtained an annulment. According to Janet, this was due to James’ alleged drug use.
Her second marriage was a secret until it ended
The following year, in 1986, Janet began dating Rene Elizondo Jr.
She and the dancer, songwriter and director secretly married in March of 1991.
Despite Janet being part of one of the most famous families of the 90s, they managed to keep their marriage a secret until 2000.
In January 1999, they separated. Only the divorce made their marriage known to the public.
Renee sued for a massive multi-million dollar settlement. In October 2003, he and Janet Jackson were officially divorced, and they reached a settlement. according to ForbesIt amounted to $10 million in spousal support.
Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri never married, but it was a long-term and important relationship
During the contentious divorce process, Janet Jackson dated Jermaine Dupri.
They apparently met backstage at one of her shows.
Jermaine was also a music producer, rapper, and songwriter, and continued her pattern of serious relationships in the entertainment industry.
Reports vary on the exact timeline, but it began in 2002, and split up in either 2008 or late 2009.
(2009 was the year Janet’s infamous brother died, but without a clear understanding of the timeline, it’s difficult to determine which life events affected others)
Her marriage to Wissam Al Mana was not a secret, but the wedding was a secret
In October 2006, Janet Jackson had her first meeting with Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana.
However, they did not start dating until years later, in 2010.
They have remained a fairly private couple, getting engaged and married in 2012 without the usual media circus.
That doesn’t mean it was a small or private ceremony.
Wissam spent nearly $20 million on the wedding, flying 500 guests to the ceremony in Doha, Qatar.
Today Janet Jackson is divorced
In January of 2017, five years after their high-end (but secret) wedding, 50-year-old Janet Jackson gave birth to the couple’s son, Eissa Al Mana.
Unfortunately, the marriage itself soon fell apart.
In April – just a few months after welcoming Issa – it was reported that Janet and Wissam had split.
The following month, Janet confirmed that the marriage was over.
Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana went through a controversial breakup, but are now officially divorced.