With a godmother like Oprah Winfrey and a billionaire father, many might assume that Tyler Perry’s son, Aman, lives a life of luxury and entitlement. But Perry, one of the world’s richest entertainers, is committed to raising his son with humility, gratitude, and a strong sense of reality.
Tyler Perry’s own childhood was filled with pain and hardship. Growing up in poverty, he suffered repeated abuse from his father—both physical and emotional. In an emotional interview with Oprah, Perry described his early years as “a living hell,” recalling traumatic moments like being beaten with a vacuum cord, leaving deep welts on his body. Despite the pain, he chose not to carry the anger into adulthood, saying, “What you feed will grow, and what you don’t will starve.”
Today, Perry is a media powerhouse—an actor, writer, director, and producer—with a net worth estimated at $1 billion. Best known for his iconic Madea character and shows like Sistas, Perry built his empire from the ground up. But beyond the success, he is most proud of his role as a father to Aman Tyler Bekele-Perry, born in 2014.
Though Perry and Aman’s mother, model and activist Gelila Bekele, ended their relationship in 2020, they remain committed co-parents. Perry often praises Gelila for helping keep their son grounded. “I want to give him everything because I didn’t have it,” Perry admits, “but I know how dangerous that can be.”
To ensure Aman stays humble, Perry sets boundaries. “For his birthday and Christmas, he gets a gift or two. That’s it—because he doesn’t have a job. He ain’t got no money,” Perry joked in an interview, recalling a time when six-year-old Aman asked to use his credit card.
Perry insists that Aman learns about the struggles many people face and the blessings that come with hard work. “We teach him about the struggle. We teach him what it means to be thankful for what you have.”
Despite his fame, Perry protects Aman’s privacy and wants him to grow up without the pressure of living in his father’s shadow. “I want him to have his own life, his own name. Not to feel like he has to become what I am.”
Tyler Perry’s journey from trauma to triumph is a powerful example of resilience, growth, and intentional parenting. And through the way he’s raising his son, he’s ensuring that the lessons of his past lead to a brighter, more balanced future for the next generation.