Tyler Perry is widely recognized for his multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, but beyond the accolades, his most cherished role is that of a father. He shares his son, Aman Tyler Perry, with his former girlfriend, Gelila Bekele, and their family dynamic is a testament to prioritizing their child’s well-being above all else.
“All of this other stuff is really great. But the thing that gives me motivation every day is being Aman’s father,” Perry expressed to AARP The Magazine in 2022, highlighting the central role family plays in his life. Becoming a father to Aman in 2014 was a transformative experience for Perry, one he described to PEOPLE shortly after Aman’s birth as “[surreal, incredible, moving].” This glimpse into Tyler Perry’s family life reveals a devoted father navigating the complexities of fame while ensuring a grounded upbringing for his son.
Aman Tyler Perry: Meet Tyler Perry’s Son
Aman Tyler Perry was born on November 30, 2014, marking a significant chapter in Tyler Perry’s family journey. His mother is Gelila Bekele, an Ethiopian model, filmmaker, and activist. The name Aman, meaning peace, was chosen to reflect the Thanksgiving season of his birth and the sense of tranquility he brought into their lives, according to a source speaking to PEOPLE shortly after his arrival.
Instead of traditional gifts, Perry and Bekele requested donations to Charity Water in their birth announcement to family and friends, showcasing their values and commitment to giving back. In January following Aman’s birth, Perry shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring Aman’s crib, expressing the profound peace he found in fatherhood: “I have traveled the world trying to find the peace that I have when I’m holding my sleeping son in my arms. God thank you! Amen for Aman. He’s beautiful!!”
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Tyler Perry’s Joy in Fatherhood
Perry openly expresses the immense joy Aman brings to his life. Speaking to PEOPLE in 2019, he shared that even the challenging aspects of parenting are overshadowed by joy. He recounted humorous anecdotes illustrating Aman’s inquisitive nature around age five, specifically his son’s endless questions starting with “Can a cheetah beat…?”. Perry fondly remembers, “By the time we go through all of, ‘Can a cheetah beat?’, I’m beat,” but emphasizes, “But no, it’s just joy. Just watching him learn and discover and yeah, it’s wonderful.” This reveals Tyler Perry’s deep appreciation for the simple moments of parenthood and the wonder of witnessing his son’s growth.
Healing Through Fatherhood: Overcoming Past Trauma
Tyler Perry’s family narrative is also intertwined with his personal journey of healing. Having endured a childhood marked by physical and sexual abuse, Perry has spoken about how raising Aman has been instrumental in his healing process. In an episode of Audible’s Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast, he shared a poignant story with the former First Lady about disciplining Aman with compassion.
He recounted an instance where Aman resisted brushing his teeth. Perry asked the nanny to leave to address the situation himself. “I said, ‘Listen to me, you are not going to be this way. We love you. We are your parents. You will not behave this way. We taught you better than this. You are a better kid than this. You’re going to be a better man than this,'” Perry explained. This moment became deeply emotional for Perry, bringing him to tears as he realized he was offering his son the compassionate guidance he himself had lacked as a child. “So to have a moment where I had a chance to have a conversation with a child, who is my spitting image, I was not only correcting and leading him the right way but helping my own little boy inside of me heal, it was a beautiful moment,” he reflected. This intimate revelation underscores the profound impact fatherhood has had on Tyler Perry’s personal healing and family life.
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Navigating Privilege and Staying Grounded in Family Life
Tyler Perry is keenly aware of the privileged environment Aman is growing up in, a stark contrast to his own upbringing. During a Q&A at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival with Gayle King, he discussed the importance of teaching Aman about financial responsibility and the value of hard work. He emphasized, “[Aman] does not get everything he wants. For birthdays, he’ll get a gift or two. For Christmas, he’ll get a gift or two. Because he don’t have a job. He ain’t got no money.”
Perry shared an amusing anecdote about Aman asking to use his credit card at age six, highlighting the challenges of raising a child in a world of readily visible wealth. Despite Perry and Bekele’s separation in 2020, their co-parenting relationship is strong, and they are united in their efforts to keep Aman grounded. Perry praised Bekele, stating, “I think, when you have a team like Gelila and I are, she is very grounded and balanced at making sure he stays that way.” He further elaborated on his desire to provide for his son while also instilling crucial values, explaining, “But I also know how dangerous that is, because I have friends who have wealthy kids, and I want to punch them in the face. You know what I mean? These kids, they’re just … They’re obnoxious! And I can’t raise that either.” This demonstrates Tyler Perry’s commitment to raising a son who is both appreciative and empathetic, despite his family’s affluence.
Famous Godmothers: Oprah and Cicely Tyson’s Influence
Aman is fortunate to have not only Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele guiding him but also incredibly influential godmothers: the late Cicely Tyson and Oprah Winfrey. Perry revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022 that Winfrey is a doting godmother, sending Aman “so many books.” He noted that while Aman has limited screen time, Winfrey’s thoughtful gifts of literature are greatly appreciated.
Interestingly, Perry himself holds the role of godfather to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter, Lilibet Diana, expanding his own understanding of family beyond traditional boundaries.
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Aman’s Innocence and Understanding of Fame
Despite being the son of Tyler Perry and having Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson as godmothers, Aman remains largely unaware of the concept of fame. Perry recounted asking his son, “‘Do you know what famous is?’ And he said, ‘Yeah it’s when a lot of people know your name,'” Perry shared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. When Perry mentioned that some people consider him famous, Aman’s innocent response was, “‘Really? Can we finish coloring now?'” This charming anecdote highlights Aman’s grounded nature and the successful efforts of Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele to create a normal childhood for him, shielded from the intense glare of fame surrounding his family.
In conclusion, Tyler Perry’s journey as a father, alongside Gelila Bekele, showcases a dedicated commitment to family and raising a grounded, compassionate son. While “tyler perry wife” might lead to searches about his romantic life, the true heart of his family story lies in his profound connection with Aman and their co-parenting journey, proving that family remains his most important production.
