Even when you’re worth over a billion dollars, family ties can only stretch so far—especially when it comes to work ethic.
Tyler Perry, the powerhouse producer behind the Madea empire, is opening up about how he draws a firm line between generosity and enabling behavior, even when it comes to his closest relatives.
When Family Crosses the Line
In a candid conversation on Kirk Franklin’s YouTube series, Den of Kings, the 55-year-old filmmaker shared a personal story that surprised many: he once had to fire his own aunt from a job he gave her because she wasn’t showing up.
Perry explained that his aunt had a habit of frequently calling him for financial help.
Wanting to give her an opportunity rather than just handouts, he decided to offer her a job instead. But the idea didn’t go as planned.
“She kept missing work,” he said, adding that their family connection didn’t shield her from accountability.
“She thought just being related meant she didn’t have to show up. I had to tell her, ‘You gotta go.’”
Helping Without Enabling
Tyler was clear—he didn’t want to be a crutch. “I wanted to help her build something, not become a form of welfare,” he told Franklin.
When his aunt failed to commit to the job, he made the tough call to let her go personally.
“She wanted the money, but not the work,” he said, firmly. “And that doesn’t work for me.”
Values That Start at Home
The media mogul, who’s a close friend of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, also shared how these lessons extend into how he’s raising his 10-year-old son Aman, whom he shares with Ethiopian model and activist Gelila Bekele.
Perry said he makes sure Aman finishes his chores before he gets an allowance, because, as he put it: “Giving kids things without effort just handicaps them.
That’s the worst thing you can do.”
A Turning Point After His Mother’s Passing
Perry said it was the death of his mother Maxine in 2009 that forced him to reassess how he was supporting other relatives.
Honoring a promise she had asked of him, he initially helped several family members financially.
But eventually, he decided that just handing over money wasn’t the way forward.
He sent letters to several relatives, telling them that in 60 days, he would no longer be providing ongoing financial support—and encouraged them to go find work.
And many of them did. “It wasn’t glamorous jobs,” he admitted, “but it gave them something to feel proud of.
And that’s what I’d want someone to do for me.”
No Spoiled Rich Kid Here
Tyler Perry also touched on a more light-hearted parenting moment when he appeared on The Sherri Shepherd Show in December 2024.
He shared how Aman once complained about the hassle of flying commercial—and how he and Bekele quickly used the moment as a life lesson.
After that complaint, Perry made sure their son sat in coach on future flights to reinforce humility.
“He didn’t earn what I have,” Perry said. “So when he works, he can fly how he wants. Until then—coach it is.”
He summed it up in classic Tyler Perry fashion: “He’s not going to be one of those spoiled rich kids—I can’t stand that. He ain’t got no money.”
A Legacy Built From Scratch
Despite being one of Hollywood’s most successful figures—his Madea franchise has earned over $660 million globally—Perry has made it clear: he believes in earning your place, not inheriting it.
Whether it’s firing a relative, parenting with purpose, or telling family members to step up, Perry’s approach blends tough love with deep values.
In a world where wealth often shields people from hard truths, his message stands out: work matters, no matter who you are.