Tyler Perry reveals reason for cutting off financial support to relatives despite having billions

Tyler Perry says he stopped funding extended family after some refused jobs he offered them, including his aunt.

Tyler Perry has revealed why he stopped financially supporting members of his extended family, citing a refusal to contribute or work for what they were receiving.

Speaking on the YouTube show Den of Kings with Kirk Franklin, the billionaire filmmaker described how repeated requests for money from his aunt led him to offer her a job instead of a handout.

“She would always call asking for money, I would send her the money,” Perry 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.”

Despite the offer, Perry said his aunt repeatedly failed to show up to work. Eventually, he told her directly, “Well, you gotta go, because you want me to hand you the money, but you don’t want to work for it.”

Perry, who is worth an estimated $1.4 billion, said he made similar decisions with other relatives following the death of his mother in 2009.

He gave them 60 days to find employment before cutting off support. “It wasn’t even, like, jobs where they made a lot of money, but it was a job,” he explained. “It was something else for them to do, feel some pride in.”

The Madea creator added that he is raising his son Aman, 10, with the same principles. “I don’t believe in giving us things that are just going to handicap us—that is the worst thing you can do,” he said.

He noted that Aman must finish chores before receiving allowance and, after one complaint about flying commercial, now sits in coach to understand the value of work.