Tyson Beckford Net Worth

What is Tyson Beckford's Net Worth?

Tyson Beckford is an American fashion model and actor who has a net worth of $6 million. Tyson Beckford is widely regarded as the most successful Black male supermodel in fashion history. He was discovered in 1992 in Washington Square Park, and by 1993, he had become the face of Ralph Lauren's Polo line—a landmark campaign that helped redefine beauty standards in the modeling industry.

By the mid-1990s, Beckford was a cultural icon. He was named VH1's "Man of the Year" in 1995 and included in People's list of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World." His signature look graced countless magazine covers and runways, establishing him as a dominant force in high fashion.

His modeling success led to a transition into entertainment. He appeared in music videos for artists like Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, and 50 Cent, and later took on acting roles in films such as "Zoolander" and "Biker Boyz." On television, Beckford hosted Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel" and served as a judge on multiple "Top Model" franchises. In July 2025, Tyson began starring on the Bravo reality dating show, "Kings Court."

Early Life

Tyson Beckford was born Tyson Craig Beckford on December 19, 1970, in Rochester, New York. His mother, Hillary, is of Afro-Jamaican descent, and his father, Lloyd, is of Chinese-Jamaican and Afro-Jamaican heritage. Shortly after Tyson's birth, the family relocated to Jamaica, where he spent the first seven years of his life immersed in Caribbean culture before moving back to the United States. Upon returning, the Beckfords settled again in Rochester, where Tyson experienced a challenging urban environment but was given access to a better education through a suburban busing program.

Thanks to that initiative, he attended the academically elite Pittsford Mendon High School in the suburb of Pittsford. There, he played football and ran track, developing the athletic frame that would later become one of his modeling trademarks. Beckford has spoken openly about being bullied in his youth for his looks and mixed heritage, experiences that later fueled his resilience in the competitive modeling world. He has one sister, Shanique, and maintains close ties to his Jamaican roots, often crediting his upbringing with giving him a unique identity in the fashion world.

Career

Breakthrough in Modeling

Tyson Beckford's modeling career began in 1992 when talent scout Jeff Jones discovered him in New York City's Washington Square Park and recruited him for a spread in The Source magazine. His striking look—a mix of Afro-Caribbean and Chinese-Jamaican heritage—quickly stood out in an industry that had rarely showcased Black male models. In 1993, Beckford was chosen to front Ralph Lauren's Polo sportswear campaign, a groundbreaking partnership that helped redefine fashion industry standards and launched him into superstardom.

He signed with New York's Soul Artist Management and Milan's D'management Group, becoming one of the most visible male models of the 1990s. VH1 ranked him #38 on their list of the "40 Hottest Hotties of the '90s," and he appeared on countless magazine covers, runways, and billboards, effectively becoming the face of high-fashion masculinity for a generation.

Transition to Film and Television

Capitalizing on his popularity, Beckford made a seamless transition to on-screen work. He appeared in several major music videos, including Toni Braxton's "Breathe Again," Britney Spears' "Toxic," and 50 Cent's "21 Questions." He made his film debut in 2000's "Boricua's Bond" and followed it with a cameo as himself in the cult comedy "Zoolander" (2001).

Throughout the early 2000s, Beckford continued to build his acting résumé with roles in "Trois 2: Pandora's Box" (2002), "Gully" (2002), "Searching for Bobby D" (2005), "Into the Blue" (2005), "Wait" (2005), and "Kings of the Evening" (2007). On television, he guest-starred on "My Wife and Kids" and "Half & Half," and in 2003, he appeared on the reality competition "I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!"

TV Hosting

In 2008, Beckford became co-host of Bravo's modeling competition series "Make Me a Supermodel" alongside fellow model Niki Taylor. He returned as the show's solo host for its second season in 2009. His mentorship role extended internationally as a guest judge on "America's Next Top Model," "Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model," and "Australia's Next Top Model."

Beckford's onscreen charisma and authority in the fashion world solidified his reputation as a style mentor and role model for aspiring models worldwide.

Later Roles and Continued Visibility

In 2015, Beckford joined the Las Vegas Chippendales as a featured performer at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, a move that received widespread media coverage and demonstrated his continued star power. That same year, he appeared in the film "Chocolate City," followed by the fashion-industry drama "Supermodel" (2016).

He made appearances in the Netflix comedy anthology series "The Characters" (2015) and the French-American comedy "Huge in France" (2019), showing a willingness to lean into self-aware and comedic roles in his later career.

In the 2020s, Beckford has remained active as a style icon, attending high-profile events such as the Met Gala and continuing to work with luxury brands and magazines. In 2023, he was honored with a plaque on the Bronx Walk of Fame, recognizing his influence as a trailblazer in the modeling industry.

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Personal Life & Philanthropy

Tyson dated celebrity stylist April Roomet in the late 1990s, and they had a son, Jordan, in 1998. Following in his father's footsteps, Jordan signed with Soul Artist Management, and he made his runway debut during a Tommy Hilfiger show in Shanghai in 2018. Beckford was reportedly married to entrepreneur Berniece Julien from 2007 to 2009.

In June 2005, Beckford was injured in Secaucus, New Jersey, after losing control of his Dodge Ram pickup truck and crashing into a utility pole. Though the vehicle caught on fire, Beckford managed to escape, and he was hospitalized at the Jersey City Medical Center, where he was treated for cuts and head trauma.

Tyson has served as an ambassador for Kick 4 Life, a nonprofit organization that uses soccer to "transform the lives of vulnerable young people in Lesotho, and in doing so promote long-term sustainable development in the Mountain Kingdom." In 2008, he recorded a voice message in support of the National RESPECT! Campaign.

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