Where Is Tanya Hijazi Now?: All About Rick James’ Former Wife

Have you ever wondered what happened to Tanya Hijazi, the woman who was once married to the music legend Rick James? You may have heard her name in old headlines, but not many people know where she is now or how much her life has changed.

Tanya Hijazi lived through fame, drama, and serious legal trouble in the 1990s. But today, she’s living a very different life. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who she really is, what happened during her time with Rick James, and where she is in 2025. Let’s get started with her story.

Tanya Hijazi Quick Bio

Who Is Tanya Hijazi?

Tanya Hijazi is an American actress and costume designer. But most people know her because of her marriage to Rick James, the famous funk musician known for songs like Super Freak.

She was born in 1972, which makes her 53 years old in 2025. Tanya grew up in the United States and comes from a mixed background. Her mother’s name is Suzzane Shapiro, and she has a younger sister named Tashia. There’s not much known about her father, and Tanya herself has always been a private person.

Even though she’s mostly stayed away from the public eye, her story is still talked about, especially because of her past with Rick James.

How Did Tanya Meet Rick James?

Tanya Hijazi met Rick James in 1989. At the time, she was just 17 years old. Rick, on the other hand, was 41. That’s a big age gap — 24 years to be exact. But that didn’t stop them from getting close. Their relationship started as a friendship and quickly turned into something more.

Rick James was already a huge name in music. He was rich, famous, and always in the spotlight. For a young Tanya, it must have been an exciting and overwhelming time. She was suddenly part of a world filled with celebrities, concerts, and cameras.

Still, despite the fame, their relationship lasted for several years before they got married. Many people were surprised they stayed together through it all.

Inside Their Wild Relationship

Their relationship was far from ordinary. While they shared love and good times, there was also a lot of drama. Rick James was known for living a wild lifestyle — parties, drugs, and controversies. And because Tanya was by his side, she was part of that world too.

People in the media often talked about them. Sometimes they were seen at Hollywood parties or on red carpets. Other times, they were in the news for all the wrong reasons. Even with all the noise, they stayed together for many years.

Their love story had many ups and downs. Some said Tanya was too young and caught up in Rick’s wild life. Others believed she truly loved him and tried to stand by him through everything. Either way, their relationship was always in the spotlight.

Their Son, Tazman James

In 1993, Tanya and Rick welcomed a baby boy named Tazman James. Tanya was only 21 at the time. Tazman was born before they got married, during their dating years.

Today, Tazman is 32 years old and works as a rapper, following in his father’s footsteps. While he hasn’t reached Rick’s level of fame, he’s still making music and building his own path.

Tanya has always been a protective mother. Even though her life was messy at times, she stayed close to her son. After Rick James passed away in 2004, Tanya focused more on raising Tazman and staying out of the public spotlight.

Their Wedding and Divorce

Tanya and Rick got married on December 24, 1997 — just one day before Christmas. It was a big moment for both of them. But even after getting married, their relationship continued to face problems.

Their marriage lasted five years. In 2002, they decided to get divorced. The reason behind their split was never clearly explained. But many believe their past legal troubles and wild lifestyle put too much pressure on the relationship.

Even though their marriage ended, Tanya stayed quiet and respectful. She didn’t go to the press or share private details. She quietly moved on, focusing on her own life and her son.

The Shocking Legal Drama

One of the most talked-about parts of Tanya Hijazi’s life happened in 1991. Tanya and Rick were both arrested and charged with very serious crimes. They were accused of holding a woman named Frances Alley hostage for six days and assaulting her.

A second woman, Mary Sauger, also came forward. She said she was held in a hotel room and beaten. These cases shocked everyone — fans, the media, and even close friends of the couple.

Rick James was later found guilty. He was sentenced to five years in prison but served two. Tanya also pleaded guilty to assault charges. She served 15 months in prison. This was a very dark time in her life.

After her release, Tanya stayed away from the media. She didn’t speak much about what happened. Many believe this is when she began thinking about starting a new, more private life.

Tanya Hijazi’s Life After Prison

After serving 15 months in prison, Tanya Hijazi came out of the spotlight. She didn’t go on talk shows or make headlines. Instead, she chose to live a quiet and private life. It was a big change from the fast and wild days she had with Rick James.

This time, Tanya focused on rebuilding her life. She didn’t try to be a celebrity. She didn’t look for attention. What she wanted was peace and a second chance. And that’s exactly what she worked on — slowly, but steadily.

For Tanya, those tough times were part of her past. She moved forward with a new mindset and a fresh focus on her career.

Her Career in Movies and Design

After her legal troubles, Tanya found a new path — behind the scenes in Hollywood. She used her creativity to become a costume and set designer. One of her most well-known projects was the 2005 movie The Unseen, where she worked as a costume designer.

She didn’t stop there. Tanya Hijazi also appeared in music and documentary shows that talked about Rick James’ life. She gave her side of the story in shows like Unsung, Behind The Music, I’m Rick James, and Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James.

Through these shows, people saw a new side of Tanya. She wasn’t just Rick James’ ex-wife. She was a woman who went through a lot and came out stronger, now working as a real professional in the entertainment world.

Did Tanya Hijazi Ever Remarry?

This is one of the questions people ask a lot: Did Tanya Hijazi ever get married again?

The simple answer is: we don’t know. Tanya has stayed very private since her divorce from Rick James. She doesn’t share her personal life online, and she isn’t active on social media. As of 2025, there’s no public record of her getting married again.

It seems like Tanya focused more on her son and her work than on dating or remarriage. And that’s okay — not everyone wants to be in the spotlight again. Some people just want a calm and peaceful life after going through so much.

Where Is Tanya Hijazi Now in 2025?

So, where is Tanya Hijazi now?

She is still believed to be living in the United States, possibly in Minnesota or Los Angeles. She’s around 53 years old and still works quietly in Hollywood as a fashion and production designer.

Even though she doesn’t post online or do interviews, Tanya has stayed busy. She works behind the scenes on film and TV projects. She helps create the costumes and sets that make shows look real and exciting. It’s a creative job — and one that suits her personality today.

Tanya Hijazi’s Net Worth and Income

You might be surprised by this — Tanya Hijazi’s net worth is between $4 million and $5 million in 2025.

That number comes from many things. First, she likely received a good divorce settlement from Rick James. At the time of his death in 2004, Rick was worth around $250,000, but earlier he had millions. Tanya may have benefited from the success of his earlier career.

Second, she has built her own income from her costume design work in Hollywood. Some sources say she earns around $81,000 a year, which is pretty good for someone working behind the scenes. Her work is creative, important, and in demand.

So, while Tanya is no longer famous in the traditional way, she has built a strong and stable life for herself.

What Makes Tanya’s Story So Unique?

Tanya Hijazi’s story is not like most celebrity stories. She went through some really tough times — legal problems, public shame, and a marriage full of drama. But she didn’t give up.

She came out of that world and started over. That takes strength. It also takes courage to walk away from fame and build a new, quiet life. Tanya didn’t chase headlines. She chased peace.

Today, she’s a creative woman with a career that doesn’t need cameras or interviews. She works hard and stays out of the spotlight. That’s something rare in today’s world — and it makes her story one worth telling.

Final Thoughts

Tanya Hijazi once lived in the fast lane, side by side with one of music’s biggest stars. She faced love, fame, crime, and heartbreak — all in the public eye. But in 2025, Tanya Hijazi is someone new. She’s not just Rick James’ ex-wife anymore. She’s a mother, an artist, and a survivor.

From wild parties to quiet movie sets, from courtrooms to costume design — her journey is full of lessons. And her story reminds us that even after the hardest times, it’s never too late to start over.

Now that you know the full story, you might look at Tanya Hijazi with a little more understanding — and a lot more respect.

(FAQs)

How old is Tanya Hijazi now?

Tanya Hijazi was born in 1972, which makes her 53 years old in 2025 — but her exact birthday is still a mystery.

What is Tanya Hijazi’s ethnicity and nationality?

She is of mixed ethnicity and holds American nationality, but most people don’t know she might have Dominican roots too.

Is Tanya Hijazi on Instagram?

No! Tanya completely avoids all social media. She has no Instagram, no Facebook, and no Twitter — not even a fan page.

What is Tanya Hijazi’s net worth in 2025?

Tanya Hijazi has an estimated net worth of $4–5 million, even though she hasn’t been in the spotlight for over 20 years.

Did Tanya Hijazi ever remarry after Rick James?

No one knows for sure, but there’s no record of her remarrying. Tanya quietly disappeared from public life and never returned.