Tyra Banks is a trailblazing media mogul whose career spans high fashion, television, and global business. She began modeling as a teenager and signed with Elite Model Management at age 17. She was accepted into Loyola Marymount University to study film, but deferred her studies to pursue modeling in Paris. Years later, she furthered her education by completing an executive education program at Harvard Business School in 2012.

Banks rose to international prominence in the 1990s as a runway and editorial model. She became one of the first Black women to appear on the covers of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She also appeared on the cover of multiple other magazines, walked several fashion runways around the world, appeared in ad campaigns for various brands, and even served as a Victoria’s Secret Angel (1997 – 2005). 

 In 2003, she created and began hosting America’s Next Top Model, marking her transition from modeling to TV production and hosting. The show became a long-running reality competition series and expanded internationally. Since then, she has hosted several other programs, including The Tyra Banks Show, multiple cycles of America’s Next Top Model, America’s Got Talent, and Dancing with the Stars. 

Banks is a dedicated mother to her son, York Banks Asla, whom she welcomed via surrogacy in 2016. She co-parents York with her former partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla. Since 2018, she has been in a long-term relationship with Canadian businessman Louis Bélanger-Martin. Banks is known for her advocacy of body positivity and has authored several books, including her 2018 memoir, Perfect Is Boring.