The Real Last Dance

Billionaire Tyler Perry gave his own family 60 days to find jobs or lose his financial support. Despite being worth an estimated $1.4 billion, he refused to keep supporting relatives who weren't working. In the video below, Perry explains why he fired his own aunt and later gave other family members an ultimatum after his mother's death. He wanted them to become financially independent instead of relying on his fortune. One aunt regularly called asking for money, and Perry kept sending it until he offered her a job. But she repeatedly called in and failed to show up for work, so he eventually fired her. His mother had also asked him to support other relatives, and he continued helping them while she was alive. After she died in 2009, Perry sent them letters giving them 60 days to find employment or lose his financial support. According to Perry, every relative eventually found a job. He didn't care whether the jobs paid well because he wanted them to earn their own money and have something to feel proud of. Perry also recalled a relative getting angry when he refused to hand over $1 million. He believed that continually giving money to people who refused to work was making their dependence worse. A billionaire who could afford to support his entire family chose to make them earn their own living. If you had $1.4 billion, would you keep supporting unemployed relatives or give them the same 60-day ultimatum?