Janet Jackson is basically the queen of keeping us all in the dark. For decades, the woman who gave us Control and Rhythm Nation has managed to pull off the ultimate celebrity magic trick: living a massive, global life while keeping her most intimate partnerships almost entirely under wraps. Seriously, you've probably heard the rumors. People still debate whether she had a secret baby in the 80s (she didn't, by the way) or if she’s currently walking down an aisle somewhere in secret.
Honestly, the list of who Janet Jackson married to is shorter than the tabloids would have you believe, but each chapter is wilder than the last. She’s been married three times. None of them were small-scale in terms of drama, even if the ceremonies themselves were tiny.
The 18-Year-Old Bride: James DeBarge
Let's talk about 1984. Janet was just 18 and starring on the TV show Fame. She was trying to break away from the shadow of her father, Joe Jackson, and the massive orbit of her brother Michael. So, what does a rebellious teenager with the world's most famous last name do? She elopes.
She married James DeBarge, a member of the R&B group DeBarge. It was a classic "star-crossed lovers" situation that went south almost immediately. James struggled deeply with drug addiction, specifically pain killers and sleeping pills. In her 2022 documentary, Janet got really real about it. She described waiting for him on their wedding night while he disappeared for hours. It’s heartbreaking. She was just a kid trying to save someone who wasn't ready to be saved.
The marriage was annulled in 1985, less than a year later.
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For years, the "secret baby" rumor followed her. James’s family claimed there was a daughter hidden away in Europe. Janet finally shut that down for good recently, saying she could never keep a child away from their father. It’s just not who she is.
The Best-Kept Secret in Hollywood: René Elizondo Jr.
This is where things get truly impressive. After the DeBarge disaster, Janet met dancer and songwriter René Elizondo Jr. They weren't just a couple; they were a creative powerhouse. René co-wrote dozens of her hits, like "Together Again," and even directed some of her most iconic videos.
But here’s the kicker: they were married for nearly a decade, and almost nobody knew.
They tied the knot in March 1991 at their home in San Diego. For nine years, Janet would go on talk shows and refer to him as her "boyfriend" or "partner." They wanted to avoid the "Hollywood curse" where famous couples split under the glare of the paparazzi. It actually worked—until it didn't.
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When René filed for divorce in 2000, the world collectively gasped. "Wait, they were married?" Yes, since the Rhythm Nation era. The split wasn't exactly pretty. There was a messy legal battle over a prenuptial agreement, but eventually, they moved on. René was the guy behind that famous Rolling Stone cover where hands are covering Janet’s chest. Those were his hands. Talk about being close to the work.
The Billionaire and the Baby: Wissam Al Mana
By the time 2010 rolled around, Janet seemed to be looking for something completely different. Enter Wissam Al Mana, a Qatari billionaire businessman. They met at a hotel opening in Dubai and things moved fast.
True to form, they married in a "quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony" in 2012. We didn't even find out until a year later.
This marriage changed Janet’s vibe significantly. She started dressing more conservatively and moved to London. Then, at age 50, she did the "impossible"—she became a mom. Her son, Eissa Al Mana, was born in January 2017.
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But life isn't a fairy tale. Just three months after Eissa was born, Janet and Wissam split. Her brother Randy later claimed the marriage had become "verbally abusive" and that Janet felt like a "prisoner in her own home." Whether it was cultural differences or just two people growing apart, the transition was rocky. There was even a moment in 2018 where Janet called the police to check on Eissa while he was with Wissam at a hotel.
Where Things Stand in 2026
So, who is Janet Jackson married to right now?
Nobody. As of early 2026, Janet is rocking the single mom life. She’s been very vocal about how Eissa is her entire world. She even told The Guardian recently that motherhood is the "biggest thing" she's ever done. She doesn't use a nanny; she does the heavy lifting herself, inspired by how her own mother, Katherine, raised nine kids.
She’s also back on the road. Her Together Again tour has been a massive success, proving that while her marriages might have had expiration dates, her relationship with her fans is permanent.
If you're looking to keep up with Janet's current chapter, here is what you should focus on:
- Follow her official socials: She’s been sharing rare glimpses of Eissa’s life, like his 9th birthday cake (which was a giant PlayStation controller).
- Watch the 'Janet' Documentary: If you haven't seen the 2022 Lifetime/A&E special, it’s the most honest she’s ever been about James and René.
- Check the Tour Dates: She is still performing globally in 2026, and the energy is reportedly better than ever.
The takeaway? Janet Jackson doesn't need a husband to be an icon. She’s defined her own life, on her own terms, secret by secret.