By Jane Nambi

Janet Jackson is now Mrs. Wissam Al Mana after secretly getting married to Wissam Al Mana last year.

Janet and Wissam apparently got married last year in a private ceremony. The news was confirmed by Janet’s rep. In a statement, Janet said the ceremony was beautiful.

“The rumours regarding an extravagant wedding are simply not true,” the statement began. “Last year we were married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony. Our wedding gifts to one another were contributions to our respective favourite children’s charities. We would appreciate that our privacy is respected and that we are allowed this time for celebration and joy. With love, Wissam and Janet”

Jackson, 46, and Al Mana, 37,were romantically linked since 2010. It’s the third marriage for Janet following her marriages to James DeBarge and Rene Elizondo Jr. which was later annulled.

Al Mana is said to be worth between $200 million to over $1 billion. In 2004, he launched the Al Mana Luxury Company division, which is a shareholder in Saks Fifth Avenue’s Middle East franchises as well as in A/X Armani Exchange. “I head the retail division [of the Qatar-based family empire, Al Mana Group],” he explained in the November 2012. “I oversee new developments and I’m constantly working on interesting projects, one of them in design. I’m also pursuing an art project, and I’m involved in several charities.”

Talking about his relationship with Janet, he said last year, “I don’t date Janet Jackson. She is my girlfriend; there is a difference. She is a very special and talented woman who never ceases to amaze me.”

Talking about his dream woman in 2010, Al Mana said, “I think a man’s dream woman changes as he goes through different stages in his life. I’m fortunate to be dating my dream woman now,” he explained.