Janet Jackson, the youngest member of the legendary Jackson family, has spent most of her life in the spotlight. From her breakout role in Good Times to her reign as a global pop icon, Janet has long been known for her privacy, especially when it comes to her personal and family life. One of the most closely guarded aspects of her life has been her experience with motherhood.
Janet Jackson and Motherhood: A Journey Begins Later in Life
In 2016, Janet Jackson stunned the world when she announced that she was postponing her Unbreakable World Tour to focus on starting a family. At the time, she was 50 years old, an age at which pregnancy is extremely rare and often medically complicated. The announcement sparked both celebration and speculation in the media.
The Birth of Eissa Al Mana
On January 3, 2017, Janet Jackson gave birth to her first and only child, Eissa Al Mana, with her then-husband, Wissam Al Mana, a Qatari businessman. The news made headlines worldwide, not only because of Janet’s age but also due to the incredible privacy she had maintained throughout her pregnancy.
The name Eissa (pronounced “eye-sa”) is of Arabic origin, a variant of Jesus, reflecting Wissam Al Mana’s Middle Eastern heritage. Janet has never publicly explained the meaning behind the name, adhering to her guarded approach to personal matters.
A Private Upbringing
Unlike many celebrity parents who share frequent glimpses of their children on social media, Janet has chosen to keep Eissa out of the public eye. She has released no official photos of him, and she rarely discusses him in interviews. This level of privacy is almost unheard of in the age of Instagram, but it underscores Janet’s long-standing belief in maintaining boundaries between her public persona and personal life.
In the rare moments she does mention Eissa, Janet speaks with love and admiration. In a 2020 interview with Essence, she said:
“My son has shown me that love, no matter what, is unconditional. And that’s something that every mother understands on a level that no one else can.”
Co-Parenting with Wissam Al Mana
Janet and Wissam’s relationship reportedly ended in early 2017, just a few months after Eissa was born. Though the split was not heavily detailed in public, sources close to the couple described the breakup as amicable, with both parties committed to co-parenting their son. However, there were some legal proceedings involved in determining custody arrangements.
Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Janet has remained focused on providing a stable, nurturing environment for Eissa. She reportedly spends most of her time in London, where Wissam is based, to ensure that her son can maintain a close relationship with both parents.
Janet’s Reflections on Motherhood
Motherhood seems to have profoundly transformed Janet Jackson. In her interviews post-Eissa, she’s described feeling more grounded and purposeful. While her musical career remains important to her, there’s a palpable shift in priorities.
In an emotional moment during her 2018 Billboard Music Awards acceptance speech, she hinted at her personal growth, saying:
“I’m deeply humbled and grateful for all of my blessings… especially my son.”
Rumors About Other Children
Over the years, rumors have occasionally surfaced that Janet had a secret child in the 1980s during her marriage to James DeBarge. Both parties have publicly denied these claims multiple times. In a 2016 episode of Growing Up Hip Hop, James DeBarge expressed suspicions, but there has never been any credible evidence to support these rumors, and Janet has consistently maintained that Eissa is her only child.
Conclusion
Janet Jackson’s journey into motherhood is both inspiring and emblematic of her values—love, privacy, and strength. While many celebrities use their children as part of their public narrative, Janet has deliberately chosen to protect Eissa from media exposure, ensuring he can grow up away from the pressures of fame.
As fans, we may always be curious about Janet Jackson’s life behind the curtain, but her unwavering commitment to privacy, especially concerning her child, is a testament to the grace and dignity with which she navigates fame. Eissa Al Mana remains a cherished part of her story—one that she’s chosen to tell on her own terms.
