Nationwide — Tyler Perry says he plans to leave Atlanta and move to Puerto Rico in 2027 as he prepares for a slower pace of life. After decades of maintaining a demanding production schedule and building a major entertainment operation in Georgia, the filmmaker says he wants to pull back from work and spend more time with his 11-year-old son, Aman.
Perry revealed the decision during a Sept. 14 conversation with TODAY special correspondent Justin Sylvester. He said he plans to relocate to Puerto Rico at the beginning of next year and reduce his workload significantly. “Yes, I am officially — you’re the first to hear this — I am officially moving to Puerto Rico,” he said. “No, this is real.” He later added that he would be “pulling back a whole lot” as he enters a new stage of his life.
The timing of the announcement came shortly after Perry turned 57 on Sept. 13. He said getting older made him think about how he wants to spend the years ahead. Rather than continuing at the same nonstop pace, he wants more time to enjoy life and be present for his son. “It’s time to slow down a little bit, enjoy more time with my son, and just take it all in,” he said.
His plans mark a major shift for someone whose career has long been tied to Atlanta. In 2015, Perry purchased the former Fort McPherson Army base in southwest Atlanta and transformed the 330-acre property into Tyler Perry Studios. The campus includes 12 sound stages, about 200 acres of green space, and several historic buildings. The studio has become an important part of his filmmaking operation, although his decision to slow down does not mean he is walking away from the entertainment business.
His son appears to be an important part of that decision. Perry shares Aman with former partner Gelila Bekele and has kept the boy largely away from the spotlight. He previously told AARP the Magazine that he wants Aman to have as normal a childhood as possible despite growing up with a famous father. “My son’s not famous,” Perry said. He also explained that he wants his son to have his own name and identity instead of feeling pressure to live up to his father’s accomplishments.
Perry’s recent work also shows why stepping back could be a significant change. His latest film, Why Did I Get Married Again?, brings back Tasha Smith, Sharon Leal, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker, Jill Scott and Richard T. Jones, with Taraji P. Henson joining the cast. The movie was filmed in Italy and continues the story from the 2007 film Why Did I Get Married? and its 2010 sequel, Why Did I Get Married Too? The production took only four days, according to Smith, Henson and Leal, who discussed the project with BlackTree TV. Smith described the experience as “refined insanity,” while Henson said the fast pace could be stressful but that she trusted Perry’s process. She also noted that Acrimony took five days to film and Straw took four. After years of working at that speed, Perry now says he wants more room for his family, personal life, and a slower life in Puerto Rico.