Tyra Banks Net Worth

What Is Tyra Banks' Net Worth?

Tyra Banks is an American media personality, actress, singer, model, and businesswoman who has a net worth of $90 million. Tyra Banks got her start as a fashion model but made her fortune hosting and producing television shows.

Beginning her journey in the world of fashion, Tyra became one of the foremost supermodels of the '90s, walking for renowned designers and becoming a staple on runways from Paris to New York. Her groundbreaking accomplishments included becoming the first African-American woman to grace the covers of "GQ" and the "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue."

As she ascended the ranks of the fashion industry, Tyra transitioned smoothly into television and film. She starred in notable projects such as the movie "Higher Learning" and took on guest roles in popular TV series. However, her most significant television contribution would come in the form of "America's Next Top Model" ("ANTM"). As the creator, producer, and host of "ANTM," Banks provided an insider's view of the modeling industry to viewers worldwide, with the show becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Beyond "ANTM," Tyra further cemented her status as a television mainstay by hosting her own talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show," which addressed contemporary social issues and won two Daytime Emmy Awards. Her entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. Banks went on to create "FABLife," a lifestyle talk show, and later delved into the business world with her beauty brand and other ventures.

Early Life

Tyra Lynne Banks was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California. Her mother, Carolyn London, worked as a medical photographer and later became her manager, while her father, Donald Banks, was a computer consultant. Banks has one older brother.

As a teenager, Banks was tall and lanky, and she has spoken openly about being teased during her early adolescence. By the time she was in high school, however, her height and striking features caught the attention of modeling scouts. She signed with Elite Model Management in Los Angeles while still in school and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School before fully committing to modeling.

Supermodel Breakthrough

After initial rejections from several agencies, Banks signed with Elite in Paris and quickly found success. During her first Paris Fashion Week, she booked an extraordinary number of runway shows, walking for major fashion houses and establishing herself as a rising star.

Throughout the 1990s, Banks appeared on the covers of magazines such as "Vogue," "Elle," and "Sports Illustrated." She became one of the most prominent models of her era and was especially celebrated for her work with the "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue," becoming the first Black woman to appear solo on its cover in 1997.

Banks was also a longtime Victoria's Secret Angel, helping to popularize the brand's televised fashion shows during their peak years. Her runway presence and commercial appeal positioned her as one of the defining supermodels of the decade.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images For dcp)

Acting and Early Media Career

While modeling at the highest level, Banks began exploring acting. She appeared in television series such as "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," where she had a recurring role, and later starred in films including "Higher Learning," "Love & Basketball," and the Disney Channel movie "Life-Size."

Though acting was never her primary career focus, these roles expanded her visibility beyond fashion and introduced her to mainstream audiences.

"America's Next Top Model" and Production Success

In 2003, Banks launched "America's Next Top Model," serving as creator, executive producer, and host. The show combined modeling competition with reality television drama, mentoring aspiring models while also delivering catchphrases and viral moments that became part of pop culture.

"America's Next Top Model" ran for 24 cycles across multiple networks and international adaptations. It became one of the longest-running reality competition series of its kind and significantly influenced how modeling was presented to mass audiences.

Banks' role extended beyond hosting; she maintained creative control and used the platform to advocate for diversity in body type, race, and background within the modeling industry. The series transformed her from a working model into a television executive and brand architect.

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"The Tyra Banks Show" and Daytime Television

In 2005, Banks debuted her daytime talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show." The program covered topics ranging from fashion and celebrity interviews to body image and social issues. It earned two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Informative Talk Show.

The show marked another reinvention. Few supermodels had successfully transitioned into daytime television hosting, and Banks used the format to connect with audiences on issues such as self-esteem and personal growth.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Beyond television, Banks has pursued multiple business ventures. She launched a cosmetics brand and later created an ice cream company inspired by her personal love of dessert culture. She has also authored books and pursued executive education at Harvard Business School, underscoring her interest in formal business training.

Banks has frequently described herself as a "model-turned-mogul," emphasizing ownership and intellectual property as central to her career strategy. Through her production company, she has developed and produced various television projects.

Later Career and Hosting Roles

In 2020, Banks became the host and executive producer of "Dancing with the Stars," stepping into a high-profile hosting role on a long-running competition series. Though the transition generated mixed reactions from longtime viewers, it reinforced her ability to remain relevant across decades of media evolution.

Banks has also continued appearing as a guest judge, speaker, and commentator in fashion and business circles.

(Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Personal Life

During the 2010s, Banks was in a relationship with Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, and in January 2016, they had a biological son—York Banks Asla—via surrogacy. The couple split in the fall of 2017.

Tyra has also shared that she avoids drinking alcohol and has never used recreational drugs.

Real estate

In 2004, Banks purchased a 5,740-square-foot residence in Beverly Hills for just over $3 million. She listed this property for sale in 2015 for $7.7 million and ended up selling the four-bedroom Spanish Colonial in 2016 for $6.33 million.

Tyra currently owns a 7,000-square-foot duplex in Manhattan that includes a salon, gym, and mirrored dressing room. She bought the Battery Park City duplex, which comprises four apartments, in 2009 for $10.13 million. She listed the apartment for rent in March 2015—asking $50,000 per month. Then, in the spring of 2017, Banks put the home on the market for $17.5 million; however, it has not been sold.

Most recently, Tyra has begun flipping houses in Los Angeles. In May 2018, she listed two homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood for sale. The first was a 6,135-square-foot residence that was listed for $9.25 million, and the second was a 3,700-square-foot home that was purchased for $4.25 million. She purchased the larger home only two years prior for $7.35 million, while she bought the smaller home for $3.25 million in 2014. She sold both properties within just a few months for $8.9 million and $4 million, respectively. Additionally, she unloaded an L.A. townhome for $1.47 million that same year.

In February 2018, Tyra paid $6.995 million for yet another Pacific Palisades home. She sold this home in December 2021 for $7.895 million. Here's a video tour of this home:

In June 2019, she snagged a single-story home for just under $3 million—her fifth purchase in the Pacific Palisades area in two years.

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