Tyler Perry Says Financial Support Should Encourage Family Independence, Not Dependence

Tyler Perry Says Financial Support Should Encourage Family Independence, Not Dependence

American filmmaker and billionaire Tyler Perry has shared his approach to supporting family members financially, saying assistance should help people become independent rather than replace personal effort and responsibility.

Perry explained that he spent years sending money to an aunt who frequently asked for financial assistance. However, he eventually decided to offer her a job to help her build a more sustainable source of income.

According to Perry, his aunt repeatedly missed shifts and called in absent, prompting him to dismiss her despite their family relationship.

“I fired my aunt,” he said during an appearance on Kirk Franklin’s Den of Kings, leaving other guests stunned.

Perry said he adopted a similar approach following his mother’s death in 2009. Several relatives had relied on him for financial support at his mother’s request, so he wrote to each of them, giving them 60 days to find employment.

He said all the relatives eventually secured jobs, although the positions did not offer high salaries.

The filmmaker also recalled refusing a relative’s request for $1 million, despite his considerable wealth. Forbes has estimated his fortune at $1.4 billion, but Perry maintained his decision not to grant the request.

He applies the same principle in raising his son, Aman, emphasising the importance of providing support and opportunities without making financial assistance a permanent substitute for personal responsibility.

Perry’s approach reflects his belief that helping family members should go beyond giving money to encouraging self-reliance, discipline and long-term independence.

Tyler Perry Says Financial Support Should Encourage Family Independence, Not Dependence