Janet Jackson is reportedly planning to officially announce her engagement soon, with a wedding to follow later this year.
The 45-year-old star began dating Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana, 36, in 2009. They have kept their romance largely out of the limelight although it’s been claimed they are secretly engaged.
Wissam is said to have popped the question last year, presenting the singer with a 15 carat diamond ring. However, at the time Janet was preparing for her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal tour and wanted to focus on that. The American leg of shows finished on September 1, and the star now feels ready to focus on marriage.
“Now Janet’s telling friends that an official engagement will come by summer’s end, and that she and Wissam will marry in late 2011 – and they’re shopping for an even bigger diamond ring to celebrate their official engagement,” a source told National Enquirer magazine.
The pair are said to be “head over heels” in love, with Janet crediting Wissam with boosting her self-confidence. She has lost weight since being with him and after telling of her battle to accept her body now finally feels happy with her appearance.
The couple have also discussed parenthood, with both keen to start a family once they are married. Last year it was claimed Janet had started to consider becoming a mother, and she’s now thought to be looking into adoption.
Janet has been married twice before. Her 1984 union with James DeBarge was annulled the following year and she secretly married music promo producer René Elizondo, Jr in 1991 but divorced in 2000.
