Nicki Minaj is married to Kenneth “Zoo” Petty, her longtime partner whom she wed on October 21, 2019. The Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper and her husband share a son, affectionately known as Papa Bear, who was born in September 2020.
Their relationship has attracted considerable public attention, from their teenage connection in Queens to their reunion decades later. It has also faced scrutiny because of Petty’s criminal convictions and legal troubles.
As of October 2026, Minaj has not publicly confirmed a divorce from Petty, despite recurring online speculation about their marriage.
Who Is Nicki Minaj’s Husband?
Kenneth Petty is Nicki Minaj’s husband and the father of her only publicly known child.
Petty, who is sometimes called Zoo, grew up in New York and knew Minaj before she became an internationally recognized musician.
Unlike his wife, Petty has not built a major public career in entertainment.
Much of the attention surrounding him comes from his relationship with Minaj and his documented criminal history.
Although the couple occasionally appears together publicly, Petty generally maintains a lower profile than the Grammy-nominated rapper.
How Did They Meet?
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty first knew each other as teenagers in Queens, New York.
Their connection dates back to the 1990s, long before Minaj released her breakthrough music.
The two reportedly crossed paths during their school years and developed an early romantic connection.
However, their lives eventually took different directions.
Minaj pursued music and gradually became one of hip-hop’s most successful female performers.
Years later, their paths crossed again, bringing an unexpected second chapter to their relationship.
Their 2018 Reunion
Minaj and Petty rekindled their romance in late 2018.
Their reunion surprised some fans because Petty was not an established entertainment personality.
As their relationship became public, Minaj began sharing photographs and affectionate messages featuring him.
She also discussed their history, emphasizing that Petty had known her before fame transformed her life.
Their relationship progressed quickly, and marriage speculation followed.
By 2019, the couple had decided to make their commitment official.
When Did They Marry?
Nicki Minaj married Kenneth Petty on October 21, 2019.
She confirmed the wedding through an Instagram post featuring items marked for a bride and groom, along with their wedding date.
The announcement attracted widespread attention because the rapper had kept much of the ceremony private.
Following the marriage, she adopted the legal name Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.
The wedding represented a significant personal milestone for Minaj, whose romantic life had previously generated considerable media interest.
By October 21, 2026, the couple had reached their seventh wedding anniversary.
Do They Have Children?
Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty have one son together, born on September 30, 2020.
The couple affectionately calls him Papa Bear, a nickname that has become familiar to Minaj’s fans.
The rapper announced her pregnancy in July 2020 through a series of maternity photographs.
After welcoming her son, she began discussing motherhood more frequently in interviews and social media posts.
Although Minaj occasionally shares family moments, she has also expressed an interest in protecting her child’s privacy.
Papa Bear turned six years old in September 2026.
Their Family Life
Motherhood has become an important part of Minaj’s life outside music.
She has spoken about the emotional significance of raising her son while maintaining a demanding career.
Recording sessions, performances and promotional commitments require substantial time, making family responsibilities an important consideration.
Petty remains publicly identified as Papa Bear’s father, and the couple has appeared together during family outings.
Their relationship has attracted attention partly because Minaj has continued discussing her husband despite criticism surrounding his past.
Nevertheless, much of their everyday family life remains private.
Are They Still Together?
As of October 27, 2026, there has been no verified public announcement that Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty have divorced.
Their marriage has faced recurring separation rumors, particularly when the couple has gone extended periods without appearing together publicly.
However, an absence of social media photographs does not establish that a relationship has ended.
Reports circulated in 2026 about the couple attending a FIFA World Cup match at MetLife Stadium with their son.
Such appearances have fueled discussion about their relationship, although they do not reveal every detail of their private marriage.
For now, Petty remains publicly identified as Minaj’s husband.
Kenneth Petty’s Criminal History
Petty’s criminal record has been a major source of controversy surrounding the marriage.
In 1995, he was convicted in New York of attempted first-degree rape, stemming from an incident involving a teenage girl.
The conviction resulted in sex-offender registration requirements.
Petty also received a first-degree manslaughter conviction in 2006 and served a prison sentence.
These are documented criminal convictions rather than unproven allegations.
His history became a subject of renewed public scrutiny after his relationship with Minaj became widely known.
The rapper has faced criticism over her decision to marry him.
Registration Case
In July 2022, Petty was sentenced to three years of probation and one year of home detention after failing to register as a sex offender following his move to California.
The federal case concerned his obligation to update his registration after relocating from New York.
He was also ordered to pay a fine.
The sentencing generated considerable media attention because of Minaj’s international profile.
Petty’s registration obligations and the terms of his criminal sentence are separate legal matters from his marriage.
His precise current supervision status should not be assumed solely from the original 2022 sentence.
Additional Home Confinement
Petty faced further legal consequences in 2023.
A federal judge ordered him to serve an additional 120 days of home detention following social media activity involving threatening remarks directed toward rapper Offset.
The incident was treated as a violation of his supervised-release conditions.
The development again brought attention to Petty’s legal situation and its potential consequences for his family.
The additional detention order did not represent a new conviction for the earlier offenses.
Instead, it concerned compliance with restrictions imposed through his federal case.
Nicki Minaj’s Response
Minaj has publicly defended her relationship with Petty on multiple occasions.
She has emphasized their longstanding personal connection and has challenged criticism directed at her marriage.
At the same time, Petty’s criminal convictions remain part of the public record, regardless of statements made by his wife or supporters.
The controversy has generated strong reactions from fans, commentators and advocacy groups.
Minaj has generally maintained that her personal relationship should not be defined entirely by public opinion.
Her marriage nevertheless remains one of the most frequently discussed aspects of her private life.
Latest Marriage Update
Nicki Minaj remains publicly identified as Kenneth Petty’s wife as of October 2026.
The couple first knew each other during their teenage years, reunited in 2018 and married on October 21, 2019.
They share one son, Papa Bear, who was born in September 2020.
Their relationship has continued to attract attention because of Petty’s criminal history, legal proceedings and occasional public appearances with Minaj.
For readers searching for Nicki Minaj’s husband, the answer is straightforward: Kenneth “Zoo” Petty is the rapper’s husband, and there has been no publicly confirmed divorce announcement.
