Billionaire Tyler Perry reveals his son only gets 'Books and LEGOs' for Christmas

Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry has disclosed his unconventional approach to parenting, revealing that his 10-year-old son, Aman, receives only "books and LEGOs" as Christmas gifts. 

The billionaire filmmaker, known for his hit projects such as Madea and The Six Triple Eight, shared his reasoning during a candid interview on Sherri, aired on December 18.  

“He don’t get no Christmas list,” Perry told host Sherri Shepherd when asked about his son’s holiday wishes. “He gets two things: books and LEGOs.” Perry quipped, “He don’t have a job! What else is he going to get?”  

A Grounded Upbringing Amidst Wealth  

Perry, 55, explained that his parenting style is intentional, aimed at keeping Aman grounded despite the privileges that come with growing up in a famous and wealthy family. He recounted how he and his ex-girlfriend, Gelila Bekele, Aman’s mother, decided to forgo private jets to teach their son the value of hard work and simplicity.  

“They’ve been going coach for years,” Perry said. “So that he understands I worked, he did not! He’s not going to be one of those ridiculous spoiled rich kids. I can’t stand that. No! He ain’t got no money!”  

The Don’t Look Up star also shared his commitment to shielding Aman from public scrutiny. “I want him to know who he is before people start to say, ‘Oh, that’s Tyler Perry’s son!’ I want to make sure that he’s not seen in public,” Perry added.  

Parenting with Purpose  

This isn’t the first time Perry has spoken about raising Aman to remain humble. During a 2022 Q&A with Gayle King at the Tribeca Film Festival, Perry reflected on his own upbringing and his desire to instill gratitude and empathy in his son.  

“[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 said with a laugh.  

Perry credited Bekele for being an essential partner in maintaining balance in Aman's life. “Gelila is very grounded and balanced, making sure he stays that way,” he said. Perry admitted it’s tempting to spoil his son, given his own modest childhood, but he’s acutely aware of the dangers of overindulgence.  

“I’ve seen kids who grow up with too much, and they’re obnoxious. I can’t raise that,” Perry explained. “Aman is a sweet boy with an empathetic spirit. We teach him about the struggle and what a blessing it is to have anything.”  

Teaching gratitude  

Through these lessons, Perry ensures Aman understands the value of hard work and the importance of empathy. By keeping the focus on simplicity and education, Perry hopes to raise a grounded and well-rounded child, even amidst his family's immense wealth.  

Perry’s parenting philosophy offers a rare glimpse into how a billionaire prioritises values over luxury, proving that even in Hollywood, life lessons can take precedence over lavish living.