Tyler Perry Pays Off 85-Year-Old Woman’s Mortgage After Home Renovation Nightmare

In a heartwarming turn of events, an 85-year-old resident of East Nashville, Anniece Tisdale, found herself thrust into the national spotlight after a disastrous home renovation project left her virtually homeless during the holiday season.

Tyler Perry: Doing Good

What began as a $200,000 contract to make her home more accessible due to her prosthetic leg turned into a nightmare of unfinished work, uneven floors, and hazardous conditions, leaving her unable to enter her own home safely.

Tisdale’s plight, covered extensively by local news outlet WSMV4, caught the attention of Tyler Perry, the renowned Hollywood mogul known for his philanthropic endeavors. Moved by her story, Perry stepped forward with a remarkable gesture: he paid off her entire mortgage, providing not just financial relief but a restored sense of security and hope.

The ordeal began when Tisdale signed the renovation contract, expecting completion by May 31, 2024. However, due to the contractor’s delays and incompetence, the project dragged on for nearly a year. Facing mounting financial strain, Tisdale and her family terminated the contract in October 2024, hoping to salvage the situation with a new contractor.

Following media coverage and a compelling segment on the “Sherri” show hosted by Sherri Shepherd, Perry’s intervention was announced.

“Tyler Perry is going to pay off your mortgage,” Shepherd revealed during the Feb. 26 episode of the show, leaving Tisdale and her daughter Yolanda Albritten in disbelief and gratitude.

“I couldn’t believe it. From you coming to interview me, they saw it on the news. They went through news clips and picked it out,” the senior said.

For Tisdale, Perry’s gift carried profound personal meaning. Having attended a Tyler Perry play with one of her daughters years ago, the unexpected blessing felt like a connection to her late daughter, who passed away shortly after that memorable night.

Anniece said, “She died that same night. It was a coincidence that she was watching over me with Tyler and helped him bless me with this.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Tisdale expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the divine timing of Perry’s intervention.

With her mortgage burden lifted, Tisdale’s home renovations are nearing completion, including a new screened-in patio that her daughter surprised her with.

Reflecting on the transformation, Tisdale remarked, “It looks like a brand-new home. It is just something I am going to enjoy for the rest of my life.”

Beyond the immediate impact on Tisdale and her family, Perry’s act of generosity exemplifies strategic philanthropy at its finest.

By targeting specific individuals in dire need, Perry not only alleviates immediate crises but also sheds light on systemic issues within the construction industry. In Tennessee alone, there have been nearly 800 complaints against contractors last year, highlighting the need for legislative reforms to protect homeowners like Tisdale from unscrupulous practices.

For Perry, this focused approach to giving is nothing new.

Beyond Tisdale, he has assisted other elderly homeowners facing similar challenges, including Josephine Wright of Hilton Head in 2023 and Dorothy Williams of Atlanta in 2024, demonstrating a consistent commitment to making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Business leaders can draw inspiration from Perry’s model of philanthropy, which goes beyond traditional donations to create lasting, transformative impact.

The “Six Triple Eights” director donated $750,000 to help prevent the displacement of low-income senior citizens in Atlanta due to rising property taxes. This contribution aimed to cover back taxes and freeze property taxes for these residents, ensuring they could remain in their homes in February 2023, according to People.

Building on this, the Christian Broadcasting Network reports, Perry committed an additional $2.75 million to assist low-income seniors in Atlanta. This funding was designated to pay off back property taxes for over 300 seniors and to cover any increases in taxes over the next 20 years for 100 low-income older residents, further securing their housing stability.

By addressing individual crises with targeted assistance, Perry encourages others to join the cause, amplifying the ripple effect of generosity throughout communities.

As state Rep. Aftyn Behn, who represents Tisdale’s area, works toward legislative changes aimed at holding bad contractors accountable, Perry’s actions serve as a powerful reminder of the role businesses can play in advocating for systemic reforms that benefit society at large.

By aligning philanthropic efforts with strategic goals, companies and business people who care can turn corporate responsibility into a catalyst for positive change, one life-changing gesture at a time.