Singer Aaliyah (born Aaliyah Dana Haughton) not only revolutionized R&B music in the ‘90s with her fresh sound, but she also left her mark in the fashion world. Nicknamed the “Princess of R&B,” her trademark baggy pants and oversized shirt reminded women that you don’t always have to wear a dress to look good.
She was a star in so many ways.
But unfortunately, her life was cut short. On August 25, 2001, Aaliyah died in a plane crash in Marsh Harbor, the Bahamas. She was only 22 years old.
Her passing was heartbreaking for fans. There were so many things she had yet to experience, like marriage — or rather, a real marriage built on love. During R. Kelly’s bombshell trial in 2021, it was learned that Aaliyah had become pregnant with the rapper’s baby at age 15 and illegally married him. Did she ever end up having that baby? Here’s what we know.
In 2021, R. Kelly’s former tour manager Demetrius Smith was ordered to take the stand to discuss Aaliyah’s pregnancy.
Per Insider, Smith explained that Kelly’s relationship with Aaliyah started out as a mentorship, but grew sexual. Kelly, of course, tried to cover it up as it’s illegal for an adult to have sex with a 15-year-old in Michigan, where Aaliyah grew up.
When the rapper told Smith that he had gotten Aaliyah pregnant in 1994, he paid a welfare office employee for a fake ID that bumped Aaliyah’s age up to 18. Then, Kelly and Aaliyah illegally got married in order to avoid prosecution over their underage relationship. Aaliyah got an abortion and never had the baby.
Her parents annulled the marriage in 1995. Until her death in 2001, Aaliyah distanced herself from Kelly.
Aaliyah was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, Westchester County, N.Y. Inscribed on her grave is the name “Baby Girl.”
In 2021, Aaliyah’s mother, Diane Haughton, had plans to hold a special ceremony for fans at Aaliyah’s gravesite where they could pay their respects. However, after claiming that an “individual” had “been to Aaliyah’s resting place in order to promote a book,” she canceled the event. Diane shared her statement on Aaliyah’s Instagram account.
View this post on InstagramDiane was believed to be referring to journalist Kathy Iandoli, who penned the book Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah.
Iandoli tweeted in response to Diane’s statement, “I did not promote my book outside of Aaliyah’s gravesite. That is offensive to even suggest. I have been told that fans have had my book there with them. Please no longer bring my book to Ferncliff. Apologies that fans cannot visit Aaliyah’s resting place.”
Per Black Enterprise, Iandoli’s book was published without the consent of Aaliyah’s family.
It is unclear if Aaliyah’s gravesite is currently accepting visitors given last year’s incident.
How old was Aaliyah when she died? The late singer died on August 25, 2001, in Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas at age 22.
What age was Aaliyah with R. Kelly? The late “Rock the Boat” singer entered into an illegal marriage with Kelly in August 1994, when she was 15 years old and he was 27.
Did Aaliyah give birth to a child? Kelly and Aaliyah illegally got married in order to avoid prosecution over their underage relationship. Aaliyah got an abortion and never had the baby.
Was Aaliyah married to R. Kelly when she died? Singer R. Kelly illegally married Aaliyah but they later separated. She later dated producer Damon Dash when she died.
Who was Aaliyah with at the time of her death? Before Aaliyah died, she was in a relationship with Damon Dash who planned to marry her. They dated from late 2000 until she died in 2001.
Who all did Aaliyah date? The late singer has been in a relationship with R. Kelly, and Damon Dash and was rumored to have dated Jay-Z and Ginuwine, both of which she denied.
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