Best known for his portrayal of tough, sassy Madea Earlene Simmons, Tyler Perry has joined the ranks of Black celebrity billionaires like Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Jordan. The brilliant actor, writer, producer, playwright, and director went from being raised in poverty to building an empire. So what is Tyler Perry’s current net worth and how did he earn his fortune? Let’s dive right in.
According to Forbes, Tyler Perry’s estimated net worth is $1 billion. The actor and entrepreneur’s success has earned him a spot in The Forbes 400, which annually lists the 400 richest Americans.So how did he do it? Throughout his career, Perry has directed over 30 movies, 20 plays, and eight TV shows.
In the late 1990s, the self-made tycoon wrote and produced his very first play called “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” While living in his car, Perry made the play a hit. From there, he kept going, until he gained a huge following that led him to make his first film, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman,“ in 2005.The movie made him over $50 million. This is when the producer’s career really started to take off. He reached billionaire status when he took ownership of all his projects, which means he owns 100 percent of his costs, revenues, and profits. Not to mention, he owns a large studio lot in Atlanta.
Early Life
Born Emmitt Perry Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana, the talented entrepreneur suffered abuse as a child. At age 16, he legally changed his first name to distance himself from his abusive father, Emmitt Perry, Sr. To ease his emotional pain from family abuse and poverty, Tyler Perry began writing and realized he enjoyed the art. It was the therapeutic effects of writing that spurred him to pursue a career in the field. Tyler Perry is an inspirational figure in the Black entertainment industry. He is also a prime example of someone who can build wealth straight from scratch.
