After rekindling their relationship in 2023, Nelly and Ashanti decided to take their commitment to the next level by secretly getting married later that year. The longtime on-and-off couple had originally dated from 2003 to 2013 before reuniting a decade later. Their relationship took another significant turn when Ashanti became pregnant with their first child together.
Nelly recently revealed in an interview with Bootleg Kev that marriage wasn’t initially part of their discussions, but he felt compelled to make it official upon learning about the pregnancy. He explained that he didn’t want Ashanti to be a “baby mama” and believed that if they had found their way back to each other after so many years, it was meant to be. Wanting to solidify their relationship, they quickly planned and held a private wedding ceremony.
Ashanti gave birth to their son, Kareem Kenkaide Haynes, in July 2024. While this was Ashanti’s first child, Nelly had four children from previous relationships. The couple’s reunion and journey to marriage have been widely followed by fans, especially given their history as one of the early 2000s’ most talked-about celebrity couples.
