Tyra Banks’ Son York Banks Asla: 5 Fascinating Facts About The Model Mogul’s ‘Mini-Me’ Child

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Tyra Banks, the ultimate model-turned-mogul, has consistently kept her private life, especially her son, York Banks Asla, out of the intensely scrutinizing public eye. However, as the supermodel enters a new phase of her career, including a recent move to Australia for her burgeoning ice cream brand, fresh details about her only child are beginning to emerge. As of this current date, December 20, 2025, York is a vibrant 9-year-old who is not only taking after his famous mother’s striking looks but is also demonstrating a surprising aptitude for business, proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the entrepreneurial tree.

The journey to motherhood for the former *America's Next Top Model* host was famously difficult, involving numerous rounds of IVF before she and her then-partner, Erik Asla, welcomed York via gestational surrogacy. This personal struggle has made her incredibly protective of her "miracle baby," yet the occasional glimpse she shares reveals a close-knit, loving family dynamic, even as she and Asla navigate co-parenting.

Tyra Banks: Complete Biography Profile

Tyra Banks is a towering figure in the fashion, television, and business worlds, celebrated for breaking barriers and reinventing herself from a supermodel to a media entrepreneur.

  • Full Name: Tyra Lynne Banks
  • Born: December 4, 1973
  • Birthplace: Inglewood, California, U.S.
  • Parents: Carolyn London (Medical Photographer) and Donald Banks (Computer Consultant). Her parents divorced when she was six, but both remained actively involved in her life.
  • Sibling: Older brother, Devin Banks.
  • Education: Attended John Burroughs Middle School and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School. Completed the Owner/President Management program at Harvard Business School.
  • Career Highlights:
    • Began modeling at age 15.
    • First African American woman on the covers of both *GQ* and the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue*.
    • One of the original Victoria's Secret Angels.
    • Creator, host, and executive producer of *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM) (2003–2015, 2017–2018).
    • Host of *The Tyra Banks Show* (2005–2010) and *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) (2020–2022).
    • Founded the cosmetics brand Tyra Beauty and the ice cream brand SMiZE and Dream.
  • Estimated Net Worth (2025): Between $90 million and $100 million, largely attributed to her business ventures and television production empire.

The Miracle Journey to Motherhood: IVF and Surrogacy

Tyra Banks’ path to becoming a mother was one of the most candidly discussed aspects of her personal life, offering a rare glimpse of vulnerability from the usually fiercely private mogul. She often speaks about the emotional toll of trying to conceive, a struggle that millions of women face globally.

The Emotional Toll of the IVF Journey

For years, Tyra was vocal about wanting children, revealing in interviews that she had been undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The process, which she described as a difficult and painful experience, left her hopeful but ultimately facing disappointment. This public sharing of her fertility struggles was a powerful moment that connected her with fans far beyond the runway.

The decision to pursue gestational surrogacy with her then-partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla, was a necessary and joyous step. She has called her son, York Banks Asla, her "miracle baby," emphasizing the immense gratitude she felt upon his arrival in January 2016.

A Modern Family: Co-Parenting with Erik Asla

Tyra and Erik Asla ended their romantic relationship in 2017 after five years together, but they made a conscious decision to maintain a drama-free co-parenting relationship for York.

Asla, a respected fashion photographer, is the father of York and has other daughters from previous relationships, forming a blended family unit. Tyra has often praised their amicable arrangement, prioritizing York’s well-being above all else. This focus on healthy co-parenting highlights the maturity and dedication of both parents to their son's development.

York Banks Asla: The 9-Year-Old Mini-Mogul in Training

While Tyra rarely shares photos of York’s face to protect his privacy, the details she *does* share paint a picture of a clever, charismatic boy who is already taking after his entrepreneurial mother. At nine years old, York is showing signs of being a true "mini-me," blending his mother's showmanship with a surprising business mind.

Fact 1: He's Already Showing Business Acumen

One of the most recent and fascinating updates about York is his budding interest in business, which Tyra has openly discussed. She has shared anecdotes about York pitching his own business ideas, demonstrating a natural grasp of concepts like profit and marketing.

This is particularly relevant given Tyra's current focus on her ice cream brand, SMiZE and Dream, which she launched after completing executive education at Stanford Business School. York is growing up immersed in a world of branding, innovation, and global expansion, with Tyra even moving the family to Australia to focus on the brand's international growth.

Fact 2: He Has a Global Upbringing

York's life is far from ordinary. Tyra’s career as a global businesswoman means York is exposed to different cultures and experiences. The recent move to Sydney, Australia, for the SMiZE and Dream venture means York is experiencing a new educational and social environment, a true global citizen in the making.

Fact 3: He Inherited the 'Smize' and Model Looks

Tyra has affectionately referred to York as a "mini-me," and while full face photos are rare, the glimpses shared show a tall, handsome boy who has inherited his mother’s striking features.

Given his mother is the originator of the famous "Smize" (smiling with your eyes), it's a safe bet that York has already mastered a few model poses. Tyra has even joked about his height, suggesting he's following in the footsteps of the supermodel who dominated both the high fashion and commercial modeling worlds.

Fact 4: His Name is a Nod to Tyra's Roots

The name "York Banks Asla" is a thoughtful blend of his parents’ names and a subtle nod to Tyra's career. Banks is her family name, and Asla is his father's. While "York" is a common first name, it also evokes New York City, the city where Tyra's supermodel career truly took flight on the international stage, walking for high-fashion designers and becoming a global icon.

Fact 5: He is Tyra's Priority Above All Else

Despite her demanding schedule as a television host, producer, and CEO, Tyra has repeatedly stated that motherhood has completely shifted her priorities. She has learned to delegate and step away from certain projects to ensure she is present for York.

Tyra’s dedication to her son is evident in her choice to scale back her public-facing roles, such as stepping down from *Dancing with the Stars*, to focus on her business and family life. For the model mogul, the most important title she holds is "Mom" to York Banks Asla, a sentiment that resonates deeply with working parents everywhere.

tyra banks kids
tyra banks kids

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