Tupac Shakur, one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of hip-hop, had a complex personal life that included several well-known relationships. When he tragically passed away on September 13, 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was not married.

While his music and legacy continue to captivate audiences worldwide, his personal life and relationships remain subjects of intrigue and speculation. Among the many questions fans have about the legendary rapper is the one concerning his romantic life. Who was Tupac dating when he died?

How Did Tupac Die?

In the latter phases of his career, Shakur faced legal troubles, including imprisonment. He was shot five times in the foyer of a recording studio in New York City, but he survived. Shakur was sentenced to eight months in prison on sexual assault charges in 1995 before being released while his conviction was being appealed.

After his release, he joined Marion “Suge” Knight’s Death Row Records and actively participated in the increasing East Coast-West Coast hip-hop feud. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was assassinated six days after being shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a roadside shooting in Las Vegas.

Because of their continued public hostility, the Notorious B.I.G., Shakur’s friend-turned-enemy, was initially considered to be the murderer, but six months later, in March 1997, while visiting Los Angeles, he was also slain in a drive-by shooting.

Who Was Tupac Dating When He Died?

Tupac Shakur was engaged to Kidada Jones when he was murdered. He began dating and later married Kidada Jones in 1996. In fact, the couple attended Men’s Fashion Week in Milan together and even walked the runway for a Versace fashion presentation. Jones was at their hotel, a few kilometers from where Tupac was killed, according to the LAD Bible.

Kidada Jones wrote in her father’s autobiography, which was released in 2022: “Tupac was my life’s love. He and I were together for four months before he was murdered…It was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.”

She also wrote about how being in Las Vegas on that fateful night was a mistake, and how she was the last person to speak to Shakur before he went into a coma and died from gunshot wounds.

What’s fascinating is how the couple met. In a 1993 interview with Source Magazine, Shakur criticized Kidada’s father Quincy Jones’ marriage to Peggy Lipton, claiming that he exclusively slept with white women.

According to The Washington Post, three years later, when he spotted Kidada in a club, he had the opportunity to apologize, and the pair soon began dating.

After marrying Jeffery Nash in 2003, Kidada divorced him in 2006. She is currently a fashion designer for the Walt Disney Company, well known for her “Kidada for Disney Couture” brand. She is also a model and actress.

Tupac Shakur Had also Dated Madonna

According to HuffPost, Shakur dated Madonna for a little over a year in 1993 after being put up by friend Rosie Perez at the Soul Train Music Awards. Still, according to E!, Madonna didn’t disclose their connection until 2015 in an interview with Howard Stern.

“One time I was mad at [David Letterman] when I said the f-word a lot, but the rest of the time was good,” she remarked. “I was in a strange mood that day.” At the time, I was dating Tupac Shakur, who had gotten me all worked up about life in general. So I was feeling really gangsta when I went on the show.”

In 2017, TMZ revealed a letter Shakur wrote to Madonna while incarcerated at the Clinton Correctional Facility. Tupac broke up with Madonna due to her race on a tragic note, dated January 15, 1995. “Do you understand what I mean?”

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“Being seen with a black man would not jeopardize your career in any way,” the rapper added. “However, in my previous perception, I felt that because of my ‘image,’ I would be disappointing half of the people who helped shape me into the person I thought I was.” I never intended to hurt you.”