Janet Jackson, 50, gives birth to a boy, Eissa Al Mana

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Image captionSinger Janet Jackson and her husband, Wissam al-Mana

Singer Janet Jackson has at the age of 50 given birth to her first child, a baby boy, her publicist has confirmed.

A statement said the musician and her Qatari businessman husband, Wissam Al Mana, were "thrilled" to welcome the infant, Eissa Al Mana.

"Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably," the publicist added.

Speculation about her pregnancy surfaced last April when she postponed her Unbreakable tour.

She posted a video on Twitter at the time in which she told fans that she was postponing the tour because "there's been a sudden change". 

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Image captionJanet Jackson - seen here performing in London in 2011 - is far from the only famous face to give birth later in life

"I thought it was important that you be the first to know," she said, adding: "Please, if you can try and understand that it's important that I do this now."

She said she wanted to focus on planning a family with her husband, whom she wed in 2012.

Jackson had earlier been spotted in London shopping for baby essentials.