Akon Reflects on His First Million and Hard Lessons About Money and Relationships

International music star Akon has shared an eye-opening story about how he handled his first major earnings and the life lessons that came with it.

“When I made my first million dollars from music, I was overjoyed—and I spent it fast,” Akon recalled. One of his first investments was a music studio, which cost him around $250,000. “I figured that even if things went downhill, I could still fall back on producing and writing music for others.”

Family came next. He gave his mother and father $150,000 each and provided his brothers with $25,000 apiece to help them launch their own businesses. “Taking care of my family was a priority,” he said.

But the most memorable part of the story came when his then-girlfriend heard about his financial windfall and requested $200,000. Akon said he laughed and instead gave her $5,000. “I have a rule: I’ll never give a woman more than 2% of my total money,” he explained.

According to Akon, that moment revealed her true intentions—she ended the relationship soon after. “I wasn’t hurt. It showed me that she was after the money, not me.”

He concluded with a pointed message: “If you want to stay wealthy as a man, especially in this industry, you’ve got to be cautious—and yes, even stingy—when it comes to relationships with women.”

Akon’s experience serves as both a cautionary tale and a glimpse into how wealth can shape personal decisions and reveal the people who truly have your back.