You probably know Tyler Perry as the man who built an entire empire from the ground up. He's the mind behind Madea, a studio mogul, and a literal billionaire. But for all his public success, his private life—specifically the details surrounding tyler perry son mother—has always been kept under a heavy lock and key.
Her name is Gelila Bekele.
Honestly, she isn't just "the mother of his son." She’s a powerhouse in her own right—an Ethiopian-born model, a documentary filmmaker, and a fierce activist. They were together for over a decade before things shifted in 2020. Even though they aren't a couple anymore, the way they handle their son, Aman, is basically a masterclass in co-parenting without the Hollywood drama.
Who is Gelila Bekele?
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Gelila Bekele didn’t just stumble into the spotlight because of Tyler Perry. She actually started her career as a high-fashion model back in 2006. You've likely seen her face in campaigns for massive brands like Pantene, L’Oreal, and Michael Kors.
But modeling was just the start.
She’s deeply invested in social issues. We’re talking about someone who spends her time advocating for clean water access in developing countries and fighting for girls' education. She’s worked closely with Charity: Water and even authored a book called Guzo! that documents the lives of people in Ethiopian tribes.
It’s easy to see why Tyler was so smitten.
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The two reportedly met at a Prince concert in 2007. Imagine that for a "how we met" story. They kept things quiet for years, appearing together only at select high-profile events. They weren't the type of couple to post every dinner date on Instagram. Perry has always been "quieter than a church mouse" about his romantic life, and Gelila seemed to value that same privacy.
The Arrival of Aman Tyler Perry
On November 30, 2014, their world changed.
Gelila gave birth to their son, Aman Tyler Perry. Interestingly, Tyler found out he was going to be a father over FaceTime. He once told a story about how he was in the middle of a meeting, saw her calling, and she just held up a pregnancy test.
The name Aman actually means "peace."
Since his birth, you haven't seen his face on a single red carpet or in a tabloid spread. That’s very intentional. Tyler and Gelila have a strict pact: Aman stays out of the spotlight. They want him to grow up without the "son of a billionaire" pressure.
"I want him to know what it's like to have his own name and his own life," Tyler told AARP.
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It's refreshing, really. In an era where every celebrity kid has their own social media handle by age five, Aman is just living a normal life. Well, as normal as it can be when Oprah Winfrey and the late Cicely Tyson are your godmothers.
The 2020 Breakup and Co-Parenting Now
By December 2020, things changed. Tyler took to Instagram to post a gym selfie with a caption that went viral. He called it a "midlife crisis," announcing he was 51 and single.
They broke up.
But there were no messy court battles or "sources close to the couple" leaking nasty stories to TMZ. They just... transitioned. Today, they are still incredibly close. In 2023, Gelila actually co-directed the documentary Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story. If you can work with your ex on a project that intimate, you've clearly reached a level of maturity most people can't touch.
Raising a Humble Billionaire’s Son
Tyler has been very vocal about how Gelila keeps him grounded as a parent. He grew up in a house filled with trauma and abuse, so he’s often tempted to spoil Aman with everything he never had.
Gelila is the balancer.
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There was a story Tyler shared about Aman complaining about long lines at the airport and wanting to fly private. Gelila’s response? She called Tyler and insisted the boy fly commercial for a while. She wanted him to understand that the private jet isn't "his" jet—it’s his dad’s.
They also keep gifts to a minimum.
Even though Tyler is worth billions, Aman usually only gets one or two presents for Christmas. The logic is simple: if you don’t have a job and you don't have your own money, you shouldn't be living like a king without earning it.
What We Can Learn From Them
The relationship between tyler perry son mother and the mogul himself is a blueprint for high-conflict-free living. They’ve managed to:
- Shield the child: Aman is now 11 years old, and the public still doesn't have a "paparazzi" image of his face.
- Maintain respect: They continue to support each other's professional ventures.
- Shared values: Both are focused on philanthropy and teaching their son about his Ethiopian heritage and the value of hard work.
If you’re looking for more details on Gelila’s current work, she continues to be active in the film world and remains a vocal advocate for Ethiopian rights. She often travels back to her homeland, sharing snippets of the culture (but never her son) with her followers.
To stay updated on Tyler Perry's latest projects or Gelila's activism, you should follow their official social media channels or check out the Maxine’s Baby documentary on Amazon Prime. It gives the best look at the man Tyler is today—largely thanks to the influence of his mother, Maxine, and the mother of his child, Gelila.