Surprise! Nelly and Ashanti Are Already Married; Couple Tied the Knot 6 Months Ago

The stars are expecting their first child together later this year

Nelly and Ashanti in March 2024. PHOTO: 

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP VIA GETTY

Nelly and Ashanti have been secretly married — for six months!

PEOPLE obtained documents on Wednesday, June 19, showing that Ashanti, 43, and Nelly, 49, tied the knot back on December 27, 2023. The couple previously announced their engagement and pregnancy with their first child, but not their wedding. TMZ was first to report their wedding news.

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Nelly and Ashanti in February 2024. 

PRINCE WILLIAMS/WIREIMAGE

Earlier this week, Ashanti told Entertainment Tonight about the proposal and her dream wedding ideas. 

Nelly and Ashanti's Relationship Timeline: A Look at Their Rekindled Romance

Describing the moment the rapper popped the question, Ashanti said it was a “beautiful, intimate moment” at home. She joked that her outfit proved she was not expecting it at all.

“I definitely had one of his T-shirts and his boxers,” she said.

In May, Ashanti celebrated her first Mother’s Day as an expecting mother, sharing the festivities on Instagram. In the photos, she posed with Nelly and other family members cradling her bump and smiling.

“This Mother’s Day was so special,” Ashanti captioned the post. “Having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing. Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day...!!!! 😆😆😆😆❤️🙏🏽🥳 #grateful 🙏🏽🥰”

She added: “Yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted 🤣🤣 Ps… I only had 1 plate tho 🤣🤣👀"

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The couple first began dating in the early 2000s before breaking up in 2013. They rekindled their relationship after another 10 years in 2023, announcing their engagement and pregnancy nearly one year later. 

"I think it surprised both of us,” the "Hot in Herre" hitmaker said on the Boss Moves with Rasheeda show streaming on Philo in September. 

Ashanti Opens Up About Surprise Proposal from Nelly and Planning Her Dream Wedding!

Ashanti and Nelly in June 2023. 

PARAS GRIFFIN/GETTY 

In her April 2024 announcement that the two were expecting their first baby together, Ashanti emphasized the changes in her life in an interview with Essence.

“This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation,” she told the outlet. “Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to."

The "Foolish" singer also subtly confirmed the pair's engagement when she referred to Nelly as her "fiancé."