Khadja Nin Biography: Age, Net Worth, Husband, Songs, Awards, Religion, Children, Ethnicity, Height

Jeanine Rema, professionally known as Khadja Nin, is a Burundian singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to international prominence through her unique blend of African folk music and contemporary pop influences.

She achieved widespread recognition during the 1990s following the success of her breakthrough album Sambolera, which introduced audiences across Europe and Africa to songs performed in Swahili, Kirundi, and French.

Beyond her recording career, she gained further distinction through her humanitarian work, cultural advocacy, and selection as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing herself as one of the most influential voices in African world music.

Khadja Nin
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Jeanine Rema
Stage Name:	Khadja Nin
Born:	27 June 1959 (age 66 years old)
Place of Birth:	Bujumbura, Ruanda-Urundi
Nationality:	Burundian
Ethnicity:	Burundian
Religion:	Christianity
Siblings:	Seven brothers and sisters
Spouse:	Jacky Ickx
Relationship:	Married
Children:	One son (name not publicly disclosed)
Occupation:	Singer, Songwriter, and Musician
Net Worth:	$3 million USD

Early Life and Education

Jeanine Rema, now 67 years old, was born on 27 June 1959 in Bujumbura, Ruanda-Urundi, present-day Burundi.

She grew up as the youngest of eight children in a prominent family and spent her childhood surrounded by both African traditions and international cultural influences.

Her father served as a diplomat and Minister of the Interior in the Kingdom of Burundi, exposing the family to music and cultures from around the world.

Belonging to the Burundian ethnicity and practicing Christianity, she developed a passion for music from an early age. Her vocal talent was recognized while she was still a child, leading her to become one of the lead singers in her local cathedral choir.

At the age of sixteen, she moved to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue her education.

Personal Life

Khadja Nin is married to former Belgian racing driver Jacky Ickx. The couple has spent much of their life together between Monaco and Belgium while maintaining a relatively private lifestyle.

Before her marriage to Ickx, she was married to a Belgian citizen and relocated to Europe with him and their young son in 1980. Her first husband died unexpectedly a few years later, leaving her to raise their child alone while adapting to life in Belgium.

During the following years, she balanced family responsibilities with the pursuit of her music career. Although the identity of her son has remained private, she has often spoken about the challenges she faced as a young widow and single mother.

Outside music, she has been active in humanitarian causes and has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. In 2018, she was selected as a member of the jury for the 71st Cannes Film Festival.

Career

Khadja Nin‘s professional music career began in the mid-1980s after meeting Belgian musician and producer Nicolas Fiszman.

Their collaboration helped shape a distinctive musical style that combined African rhythms with contemporary pop, jazz, and folk influences.

She released her self-titled debut album Khadja Nin in 1992, followed by Ya Pili in 1994. Her international breakthrough arrived in 1996 with the release of Sambolera, which became her most successful album and introduced her music to a global audience.

Songs such as Sambolera and Sina Mali, Sina Deni became widely recognized across Europe and Africa.

Her profile continued to grow throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 1997, she performed alongside renowned opera singer Montserrat Caballé on the song Sailing for the Friends For Life project. She later released Ya in 2000, an album that featured collaborations with guitarist Dominic Miller.

Beyond recording and performing, she has remained active as a cultural ambassador, humanitarian advocate, and participant in international arts events, helping promote African music and social causes on the global stage.

Awards

• 2000 — UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Appointment
• 1997 — Sopot International Song Festival Grand Prix — Nominated

Net Worth

Khadja Nin has an estimated net worth of 3 million USD. She accumulated her wealth through album sales, international concert performances, music royalties, festival appearances, cultural ambassador roles, and media engagements spanning several decades.

Social Media

• Instagram: @khadjanin.official

Discography

• Khadja Nin (1992)
• Ya Pili (1994)
• Sambolera (1996)
• Ya (2000)