Tyler Perry may have split from Gelila Bekele, but they still have a good coparenting relationship.
The twosome, who started dating after meeting at a Prince concert in 2007, welcomed their son Aman in December 2014.
“They are totally and completely excited, and really looking forward to their first holiday with their son,” a source told Us Weekly at the time. “Everybody is happy and healthy.”
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While the former couple kept their relationship under wraps for the next six years, Perry announced in December 2020 that he and Bekele had split.
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“I’m 51, single and wondering what the next chapter in my life will look like,” Perry wrote via Instagram alongside a mirror selfie. “Whatever it looks like I’m going to walk with God, be the best father and man I can be, hold my head up high, and try to look my best doing it!!”
Although Perry and Bekele called it quits, the pair have managed to stay good friends, especially while working on their film Maxine’s Baby: The Tyler Perry Story and coparenting Aman.
Five years after splitting from Bekele, Perry was sued for $260 million over allegations of sexual assault and harassment by Derek Dixon, who appeared on Perry’s BET drama The Oval. According to the lawsuit obtained by Us in June 2025, Dixon sued Perry for quid pro quo sexual harassment, sexual battery, sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress and retaliation. Perry denied the allegations against him through his attorney.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd said in a statement to ABC News. “But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Perry and Bekele’s relationship:
2007
Perry and Bekele reportedly met at a Prince concert.
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April 2011
The pair attended their first public event at the Steve Harvey Foundation Gala at Cipriani in New York City.
September 2014
A source confirmed to Us that Perry and Bekele were expecting their first child.
“They are overjoyed and really, really happy,” the insider shared at the time, noting that Perry announced the news at his 45th birthday party. “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.”
December 2014
The former couple welcomed son Aman.
“Everybody is happy and healthy,” a source told Us.
December 2016
Perry, Bekele and Aman were spotted playing in the snow in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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December 2020
Perry revealed that he and Bekele had split in an Instagram post.
“I’m 51, single and wondering what the next chapter in my life will look like,” he wrote at the time.
November 2023
Perry and Bekele debuted their film, Maxine’s Baby — a documentary about Perry’s traumatic childhood. Bekele directed the film for nearly 10 years alongside codirector Armani Ortiz.
“So much love and gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey,” Bekele wrote in an Instagram post following the movie’s premiere. “Thank you, @americanfilminstitute @primevideo @amazonstudios @tylerperry tremendous gratitude for allowing us the privilege of telling your story.”
December 2024
Perry opened up about coparenting Aman with Bekele, noting that they make it a point of keeping their son grounded to prevent him from ever feeling a sense of entitlement.
“We are very much on the same page about that,” Perry told People. “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.”
Us Weekly
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