Nicki Minaj’s husband is Kenneth Petty, a childhood friend whom she married in 2019. The Nicki Minaj husband question came back in 2026, when a registry address change set off split rumors. But as of November 2026, neither of them has announced a separation or divorce, and they were filmed together at the World Cup in June. Here is the full story of their relationship, their son and the legal issues around Petty.
Nicki Minaj Husband: Who Is Kenneth Petty?
Kenneth Petty, a childhood friend of hers from New York. The two started dating in December 2018. Minaj announced their marriage in October 2019 and added his last name to hers, so her legal name is now Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.
| Husband | Kenneth Petty |
| Started dating | December 2018 |
| Married | Announced October 2019 |
| Children | One son, born September 30, 2020 |
| Status (Nov 2026) | Still married; no separation announced |
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty’s Son
In July 2020, Minaj announced she was pregnant. She gave birth to a son on September 30, 2020. In public she calls him “Papa Bear.”
Is Nicki Minaj Still With Her Husband?
As far as anyone has confirmed, yes. In April 2026, media personality DJ Vlad pointed out that Petty’s sex offender registry listing showed a Queens address instead of the couple’s home, and fans took it as a sign they had split. However, neither Minaj nor Petty commented.
Then, on June 14, 2026, TMZ reported that the two watched a FIFA World Cup match together, and Minaj shared a video from the game. We found no divorce filing or official split announcement as of November 2026.
Kenneth Petty’s Legal History
This part of the story comes up every time the couple makes news, so here are the facts on record.
- 1995 conviction: At 16, Petty was convicted of attempted rape. He served four years in prison and had to register as a sex offender after his release.
- Registration case: After the couple moved to California, he did not update his registration there. He faced an indictment in February 2020, and he registered in California the next month.
- Civil lawsuit: In August 2021, Jennifer Hough, the woman in the 1995 case, sued Petty and Minaj, alleging harassment and intimidation. Minaj called the claims “blatant falsehoods,” and Hough later dropped her case against Minaj. The case against Petty continued. In September 2026, TMZ reported that Petty filed what he says is a 1994 letter from Hough as he seeks to have the suit thrown out. Hough disputes his account.
Her Dating History Before Petty
Before Petty, Minaj dated her longtime hype man Safaree Samuels from 2003 to 2014. After that, she was in a relationship with rapper Meek Mill from 2015 until January 2017. She reconnected with Petty, her childhood friend, in late 2018.
About the Rapper
Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty was born on December 8, 1982, in Trinidad and raised in New York City, so she is 43. Fans call her the “Queen of Rap.” Her debut album, Pink Friday (2010), opened at No. 1. She came up on Young Money alongside Drake; for his story, read our Drake net worth post. And for another female rap star’s family life, see our Cardi B net worth breakdown.
FAQ
Who is the husband of Nicki Minaj?
Kenneth Petty. They announced their marriage in October 2019.
Is Nicki Minaj still married?
Yes, as far as is public. Neither has announced a divorce or separation as of November 2026.
Do they have children?
Yes. She has one son with Petty, born on September 30, 2020, whom she calls “Papa Bear.”
How long have Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty been together?
They started dating in December 2018, so it has been almost eight years.
How old is Nicki Minaj?
She is 43. Her birthday is December 8, 1982.
Photo: Nicki Minaj performing at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo in London, June 25, 2012, by Rory from Glasgow via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Cropped and text added by MusiccStar.
