The Weeknd’s Family Background 

Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
Stage Name: The Weeknd
Born: February 16, 1990
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Ethnicity: Ethiopian
Genres: R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop, Alternative R&B
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor
Years Active: 2010–present

Early Life & Background

  • Born to Ethiopian immigrant parents, Makkonen Tesfaye & Samrawit Hailu.
  • Raised in Scarborough, Toronto, by his mother and grandmother after his parents separated.
  • Grew up speaking Amharic & English and was influenced by Ethiopian music & Orthodox traditions.
  • Dropped out of high school at 17 and moved out, leading to his struggles with homelessness & drug use.

Parents:

  • Father: Makkonen Tesfaye (Ethiopian immigrant)

  • Mother: Samrawit Hailu (Samra Tesfaye) (Ethiopian immigrant)

  • His parents immigrated from Ethiopia to Canada in the 1980s during political unrest.

  • His parents separated when he was very young, and he was primarily raised by his mother and grandmother in Scarborough, Toronto.

 Raised by His Mother & Grandmother

  • His mother worked multiple jobs (as a nurse and caterer) to provide for him.
  • His grandmother helped raise him and taught him Amharic (Ethiopian language).
  • He grew up speaking both Amharic and English and listening to Ethiopian music at home.

 Siblings & Extended Family

  • Only Child: Abel is the only child of his parents.
  • His father remarried and had other children, but The Weeknd has described their relationship as distant.
  • He has cousins that he remains close to, but he rarely shares details about his extended family.

 Private Life & Family

  • The Weeknd is very private about his personal life and rarely shares details about his family.
  • He occasionally mentions his mother in interviews, showing deep gratitude for her sacrifices.
  • His music often touches on themes of loneliness, struggles, and personal experiences from his upbringing.

 Relationships & Personal Life

  • Dated celebrities like Selena Gomez & Bella Hadid, but has no children.
  • Focuses heavily on his career and philanthropy.
  • Donates to Ethiopian relief efforts, showing pride in his heritage.

Other Ventures & Philanthropy

  • Donated millions to Ethiopian relief efforts, COVID-19 aid, & Black Lives Matter.
  • Launched XO Records, his own label under Republic Records.
  • Appeared in "Uncut Gems" (2019) with Adam Sandler.
  • Starred in HBO’s "The Idol" (2023).

Why The Weeknd is Special

  •  Unique dark, cinematic music style.
  •  Mysterious persona & artistic evolution.
  •  One of the biggest-selling artists of all time.
  •  A trailblazer in modern R&B & pop.

 

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