Tyler Perry is an actor, filmmaker, and popular playwright who has often been called one of the most influential and wealthiest people in the entertainment industry. Gelila Bekele, on the other hand, started out as a model, however her passion towards advocating education rights for girls in Ethiopia also led her towards the path of filmmaking. There was once a time when these two filmmakers dated and were known as a power couple. However, as Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele have broken up since, here’s a look at their past relationship.
Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele kept their relationship a secret for six years
Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele reportedly met in 2007 at a Prince concert. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that the two made their relationship official. Tyler and Gelila appeared as a couple for the first time at the Steve Harvey Foundation Gala at Ciprani. However, the two liked to keep their relationship out of the public eye, since after this appearance, nothing else about their relationship was made public until 3 years later.
Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele welcome their baby boy, Aman
In 2014, a source close to US Weekly revealed that the couple were expecting a baby and that both Tyler and Gelila were very happy about stepping into parenthood. As per the report, Tyler has announced the happy news at his 45th birthday party. The source shared:
“They are overjoyed and really, really happy. He was so happy in the moment so he told the guests.… They have been very happy together and are very excited about this wonderful news.”
In December 2016, Tyler and Gelila welcomed their baby boy, Aman. The little family was also seen playing in the snow around Christmas eve the same year. It was reported that the couple was ‘happy and healthy’. After Aman was born, Tyler took to his Instagram and penned down:
“I have traveled the world trying to find the peace that I have when I’m holding my sleeping son in my arms. God thank you! Amen for Aman. He’s beautiful!!”
Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele broke up but remained cordial and collaborated on projects together
In 2020, Tyler Perry revealed that he and Gelila Bekele had broken up. The reason for their break-up has remained unknown. In the Instagram post, he stated that he was 51 years old and single. In the Instagram post announcing his relationship status, the filmmaker had written:
“I’m 51, single and wondering what the next chapter in my life will look like.”
However, the former couple was still cordial with each other. In fact, Gelila Bekele and Tyler Perry debuted their documentary, Maxine’s Baby, in 2023. The documentary centred on Tyler’s troubled childhood and was directed by his ex-girlfriend, Gilela, over a ten-year period. The director thanked everyone who made the documentary possible and expressed the utmost gratitude to ex-partner, Tyler, for letting them tell his story.
Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele co-parent their son, Aman
Tyler and Gelila are still amicable with each other and co-parent their son, Aman. The former also once revealed that their views on how their child should grow up also match. Tyler stated that neither he nor Gelila wants their son to be a ‘spoiled kid’. The filmmaker shared:
“We are very much on the same page about that. We both are very clear-eyed about him not being this spoiled kid. And when you start seeing hints of that, that’s got to be nipped in the bud right away.”
More about Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, but he found himself in hot water after actor, Derek Dixon accused him of harassment. Derek, who appeared on Tyler’s popular series, The Oval, claimed that the latter used his influence and power to exploit him during and after working together on the show. The actor is also seeking USD 260 million in damages in his lawsuit against Tyler Perry. Meanwhile, the filmmaker’s representative has called Dexter’s accusations ‘fabricated claims’ and called it a ‘scam’.
What are your thoughts on Tyler Perry and Gelila Bekele’s love story and breakup? Let us know.
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