Janet Jackson Sued by Estranged Husband

Jan. 2, 2001 -- Janet Jackson’s estranged husband filed a lawsuit against the singer, claiming she broke a promise to divide property acquired before their 1991 marriage, according to The Associated Press.

Rene Elizondo Jr., who separated from the singer in 1999, says that Jackson agreed to share the profits from her 1989 hit album, Rhythm Nation 1814, with him, the news service reported.

Elizondo, who has written numerous songs for Jackson and directed several of her videos, also claims she promised to share equally any assets acquired after their relationship began in 1987.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks damages of $10 million, according to The AP.

Jackson appeared as a child on the television show The Jacksons, along with her older siblings, including Michael Jackson. Her career as a singer and an actress continued through the ’80s, before she became a superstar following the multiplatinum Rhythm Nation 1814. She has won three Grammy Awards.

Jackson starred in the summer 2000 movie Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and also recorded “Doesn’t Really Matter” for the movie’s soundtrack.