Media mogul Tyler Perry, worth an estimated $1.4 billion, is proving that financial success doesn’t always translate to free rides for family. In a candid and revealing conversation on the YouTube series “Den of Kings” hosted by Kirk Franklin, Perry joined guests Derrick Hayes and Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins to discuss the sometimes uncomfortable balance between wealth and family obligation.
During the episode, Perry shared a personal story about firing his own aunt after she failed to take a job seriously—despite him offering it as a chance to become financially independent. For the “Madea” creator, supporting his loved ones means more than simply handing out cash.
“You Gotta Go”: Why Perry Fired His Aunt
Perry recounted how his aunt regularly called asking for money. Tired of being her personal ATM, he offered a long-term solution: a job.
“I said, ‘Listen, I want to help you. I want to help you build this thing, not be welfare to you,’” Perry recalled. “So let me give you a job.”
But instead of embracing the opportunity, his aunt skipped work and failed to show commitment. That’s when Perry made a difficult but firm decision: she had to go.
“Because you want me to hand you the money, but you don’t want to work for it,” he explained. “See, that doesn’t work for me.”
It’s a message he has carried throughout his life and career — one that values pride, self-worth, and responsibility over handouts, even for those closest to him.
A Life Lesson for His Son: No Spoiled Rich Kids
The same philosophy applies to Perry’s 10-year-old son, Aman, whom he co-parents with ex-partner Gelila Bekele. Perry refuses to raise his child with a sense of entitlement, even if he himself is a billionaire.
“If there are certain things he wants, he has to do chores for them,” Perry said. “I don’t believe in giving us things that are just going to handicap us. That is the worst thing you can do.”
In a 2024 appearance on The Sherri Shepherd Show, Perry further revealed that Aman only receives “books and Legos” for Christmas and flies coach despite his father’s private jet lifestyle.
“He’s not gonna be one of those ridiculously spoiled rich kids,” Perry said bluntly. “He ain’t got no money.”
This tough love approach is designed to teach Aman the value of hard work and discipline — values Perry credits for his own rise from poverty to billionaire status.
Posthumous Promise: Letters to His Family
Perry’s strong stance on personal accountability became even more apparent after the death of his mother in 2009. Before she passed, she asked him to help support several family members financially. He did — but only temporarily.
“I sent them letters saying they had 60 days to get a job,” Perry recalled. “I’m not going to keep supporting you like that.”
He emphasized that the move wasn’t about punishment, but empowerment. All of the relatives he addressed eventually found work.
“It wasn’t even, like, jobs where they made a lot of money,” he said. “But it was something else for them to do, feel some pride in.”
That pride, Perry believes, is what builds dignity and self-respect—qualities that handouts can sometimes erode.
Building a Legacy Rooted in Responsibility
Tyler Perry’s legacy extends far beyond the box office success of the “Madea” franchise, which has grossed over $660 million. As one of Hollywood’s most successful self-made creators and business owners, Perry is building more than a media empire — he’s building a philosophy of ownership, independence, and integrity.
His wealth might put him in a rare financial class, but his values remain grounded in discipline, self-worth, and the belief that true empowerment doesn’t come from handouts — it comes from hard work.
As Perry put it:
“That’s the same thing I would want someone to do for me.”
