- Tyler Perry, a billionaire Hollywood producer, has expressed his reluctance to financially support his family members due to his wealth.
- The producer recalls firing his aunt from a job due to her lack of seriousness towards the situation.
Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry has opened up about setting boundaries when it comes to financially supporting his family despite his billionaire status.
In a candid interview on the YouTube series “Den of Kings” hosted by gospel star Kirk Franklin, the filmmaker spoke honestly about his philosophy of tough love, especially when it comes to blending family and business.
Perry recounted a moment when he offered his aunt a job after she repeatedly called asking for money. He explained that his intention was to help her build stability not become financially dependent on him.
“She said she wanted a job. She would always call asking for money, I would send her the money. I said, ‘Listen, I want to help you. I want to help you build this thing, not be welfare to you. So, let me give you a job.’” he said.
However, things didn’t go as planned. According to Perry, his aunt began skipping work and not taking the opportunity seriously. He eventually had to let her go.
“‘Well, you gotta go,’ I told her. Because you want me to hand you the money, but you don’t want to work for it. See, that doesn’t work for me,” Tyler said.
The “Madea” creator emphasized that he applies the same principle at home, even with his young son. Perry shared that his 10-year-old must complete household chores in exchange for anything he wants — teaching responsibility from an early age.
Following the death of his mother in 2009, Perry revealed he made a bold decision regarding family members she had previously asked him to support. He sent them letters, giving them a 60-day window to find employment.
“I don’t believe in giving people things that will handicap them. That’s the worst thing you can do. I told them I wouldn’t continue to support them like that.”
He added that many of them eventually found jobs even if they weren’t high-paying and that it gave them purpose and dignity.
They ended up getting up getting jobs. And it wasn’t even, like, jobs where they made a lot of money, but it was a job. It was something else for them to do, feel some pride in. That’s the same thing I would want someone to do for me,” he added.
Tyler Perry’s no-nonsense approach to financial support has sparked conversations about self-reliance, dignity, and the real meaning of help.
