Tyler Perry talks success and keeping his son out of the spotlight

ABC News/Stephen Iervolino

In the August/September edition of AARP: The Magazine, Tyler Perry opened up about his dark childhood, his success and how he shields his seven-year-old son, Aman, from the spotlight. 

For all of his fame both as an actor and a self-made billionaire mogul, Perry is notoriously protective about his private life. He shares Aman with ex Gelila Bekele, who he describes as an “incredible mother.” Though the couple split in 2020, she runs his charity, The Perry Foundation.

As for why he’s tight-lipped about his personal life, Tyler says, “Because these people are not famous. My son’s not famous. I want him to have as normal a