Tyler Perry: Beaten, Molested, Bathed in Ammonia as a Child

Us Magazine - October 6, 2009 7:28 AM PDT
Story photo: Tyler Perry: Beaten, Molested, Bathed in Ammonia as a ChildJohn Shearer/Getty Images for LotusFlow3r.comUs Magazine

Tyler Perry - best known for his role as the primly Madea in his hit comic film series - has revealed that he was sexually and physically abused as a kid.

"I always thought I would die before I grew up," Perry, 40, writes in a letter to fans on his Web site.

After watching a screening of the movie Precious - which centers on a teen girl struggling to overcome mental and physical abuse - he says he realized "a large part of my childhood had just played out before my eyes."

Perry then recounts the various abuse he suffered.

One night, he says his father "came home, mad at the world. He was drunk, as he was most of the time. He got the vacuum cleaner extension cord and trapped me in a room and beat me until the skin was coming off my back."

See celebs who overcame abuse

He says a neighbor woman molested him at age 10 and that his grandmother tried to to rid him of his allergies by giving him "a bath in ammonia."

"She said she was going to kill these germs on me once and for all," Perry recalled.

Watching Precious - which he executive produced, along with Oprah Winfreyandnbsp;- "hit me so hard," he writes.

"I sat there in tears realizing that somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through," he says. "My tears were tears of joy, being thankful that I made it."andnbsp;

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Looking back, Perry says his faith has gotten him through the tough time. And he says he has learned to forgive.

"Forgiveness has been my weapon of choice," he says. "It has helped to free me."

Before signing off, he writes, "If you're having a hard time getting over something in your life, maybe you can try forgiveness too. It's not easy, but it does bring forth healing.

"I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it," he says. "To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you. We're all PRECIOUS in [God's] sight."

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comments 1-10 of 28  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • carolyng
    TYLER, GOD SAW YOUR PAIN, HE KNEW YOU WAS HURTING. AS YOU BEING A CHILD GOING THROUGH THE HARSH PAIN AND SUFFERING, THAT'S VERY DEEP. YOU ARE A STRONG WARRIOR. LOOK HOW GOD BROUGHT YOU OUT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN EASY FOR YOU TO BE REBELLIOUS TOWARD OTHERS, BUT LOOK HOW GOD TOUCHED YOU AND OPENED UP YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE PEOPLE WHO HAD HURT YOU BADLY. I TELL YOU THAT GOD THAT WE SERVE IS AWE
    report abuseposted October 13, 2009 4:42 PM PDT
  • Ms.
    God Bless Tyler Perry for giving children the confidence they need to fight back and be successful despite an abusive past! We need more people like you in the world!
    report abuseposted October 13, 2009 6:50 AM PDT
  • Pam
    My grandmother though kerosene killed everything-Just thinking about it today makes me sick.
    report abuseposted October 12, 2009 6:58 AM PDT
  • Sisi
    And look at you now. Write about it. Pain and happiness on paper.
    report abuseposted October 8, 2009 7:06 AM PDT
  • NOTALEPER
    A lot of people in the south still do bath with ammonia in the water. Not pure unadulterated ammonia, but a couple of capfuls in h20. As for his father, I hope he will find the strength and faith in the Lord to forgive him. When I remember how many times God has forgiven me for my transgressions, it makes it so much easier to forgive those who have wronged me.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 5:12 PM PDT
  • Sheila
    Tyler you are a man who believes in the Lord above. You will never know how much watching your Plays and Movies inspire me every day. When I feel down Madea is what I watch. God Bless you
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 12:32 PM PDT
  • VanessaM
    God is good all the time and all the time is Good ! ! ! Tyler Perry you are my man, one truly Blessed individual. Keep up the Great Work ! ! ! Vanessa-Nanna V
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 8:10 AM PDT
  • Jakc
    Wow,Search " Nice Luxury Bags " on google to get the disgner luxury bags,ＮＩＣＥＬＵＸＵＲＹＢＡＧＳ。ＣＯＭ is just for fashion ladies.As louis vuitton ,chanel,Hermes,etc.Free wallet promotion is now.
    report abuseposted October 7, 2009 6:43 AM PDT
  • Karen
    It gives me hope to just watch what you do Tyler, I would really love to meet you some day, If you are ever looking for anybody to continue to play that character ma dear, when you get tired, hire me, my family thinks that i am her, or she is me. I just love it. consider it..................
    report abuseposted October 6, 2009 8:02 PM PDT
  • beady
    I am looking forward to precious. I love most of Tyler Parry's movies. I Can Do Bad All By Myself had some great acting and great moments. There was much too much singing. Some of the editing where you cut to the clouds. I know what you were trying to do however it missed the mark. You however are a remarkable talented Artist. In another 5-10 years you will have Oscar nomination and
    report abuseposted October 6, 2009 3:25 PM PDT
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