Updated: February 7, 2026
Mariah Carey, the undisputed Queen of Christmas and one of the best-selling artists of all time, has lived a life filled with chart-topping hits, dazzling vocals, and very public relationships. When people search for “Mariah Carey ex husband,” they usually mean one of two men: her first husband, music mogul Tommy Mottola, or her second, entertainer Nick Cannon. Both marriages made headlines for very different reasons—one tied to power dynamics in the music industry, the other to a whirlwind romance and family life.
In this post, we’ll break down Mariah’s two marriages, what went wrong, where things stand today, and some key takeaways. Whether you’re a longtime Lamb or just curious about celebrity relationships, here’s the real story behind Mariah Carey ex husbands.
Table of Contents
1. The First Marriage: Tommy Mottola (1993–1998)
Mariah Carey’s first marriage was to Tommy Mottola, the powerful former CEO of Sony Music. He signed her early in her career and played a huge role in launching her to superstardom. They started dating while she recorded her debut album, and the romance moved fast.
- Wedding date: June 5, 1993
- Ceremony: A lavish, half-million-dollar event at St. Thomas Church in New York City
- Age difference: Tommy was about 20 years older (he was in his 40s, Mariah was 23–24)
- Divorce finalized: March 4, 1998
Mariah has described this period as feeling trapped. In interviews and her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey, she called their home “Sing Sing” (like the prison) and spoke about controlling behavior. She recently told Harper’s Bazaar UK (2025) that she still sometimes feels angry about that time but uses humor as a coping mechanism.
Tommy later admitted in his memoir that the relationship was “absolutely wrong and inappropriate,” and he apologized for any pain caused.
This marriage overlapped with Mariah’s early rise—albums like Music Box and Daydream exploded—but it also limited her creatively, as she wanted more R&B freedom.
2. The Second Marriage: Nick Cannon (2008–2016)
After staying single for years and dating names like Luis Miguel and Derek Jeter, Mariah surprised fans with a quick engagement to Nick Cannon in 2008. They met on the set of her “Bye Bye” video and married after just weeks of dating.
- Wedding date: April 30, 2008
- Children: Fraternal twins Moroccan and Monroe (born April 30, 2011)
- Separation announced: August 2014
- Divorce finalized: November 2016
Unlike her first marriage, this one brought joy through parenthood. Mariah and Nick nicknamed their twins “Roc & Roe” (or “dem babies,” now “dem kids”). Even after the split, they’ve stayed committed to co-parenting. In 2025 interviews, Mariah kept things private, saying Nick is “in his own world” but emphasizing they made amazing children together.
The twins, now 14 (as of 2025–2026), occasionally join Mom onstage and appear in her holiday specials. They remain a big priority for both parents.
Mariah Carey’s Ex-Husbands at a Glance
Here’s a quick comparison table of the key facts:
| Aspect | Tommy Mottola | Nick Cannon |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Years | 1993 – 1998 | 2008 – 2016 |
| Wedding Date | June 5, 1993 | April 30, 2008 |
| Children Together | None | Twins: Moroccan & Monroe (2011) |
| Age at Marriage | Mariah 23, Tommy ~43 | Both in their late 20s |
| Main Reason Cited for Split | Control & creative differences | Personal differences (amicable) |
| Current Relationship | Both moved on; Tommy remarried | Co-parents; friendly |
| Public Reflection | Mariah: “Angry” but healing | Mariah: Focus on kids only |
Life After the Marriages: Growth, Independence, and New Chapters
Since 2016, Mariah has focused on herself, her music, and her children. She was in a long relationship with dancer Bryan Tanaka (ended amicably in 2023), and as of early 2026, rumors swirl around her collaboration-turned-possible-romance with Anderson .Paak. They’ve been spotted together, worked on music, and even dropped flirty vibes in their “Play This Song” video—but Mariah keeps things playful and private.
What stands out most? Mariah emerged stronger from both marriages. Her first taught her to fight for creative control (leading to classics like Butterfly). Her second gave her the family she always wanted. Today she’s thriving—holiday tours sell out, new music drops, and she remains one of the most celebrated voices ever.
Conclusion
Mariah Carey’s ex-husbands represent two very different chapters: one shaped by industry power and control, the other by love, laughter, and twins who call her Mom. Through ups, downs, and very public scrutiny, Mariah has always come back to her truth—her voice, her kids, and her unapologetic self.
Whether you love her ballads, her Christmas anthems, or her resilience, one thing’s clear: Mariah Carey doesn’t just survive heartbreak—she turns it into timeless music. Here’s to the next chapter, Mimi.