Mike Tyson is one of the most popular boxers of all time. But beneath his formidable career lies a complicated family history. A crucial part of this history is Mike’s father, Purcell Tyson. Although Purcell was the man who provided Mike with his surname, his presence in Mike’s life was nearly zero. Here is what we know about Purcell Tyson.
Quick Facts About Purcell Tyson
| Full Name | Purcell Tyson |
| Birthdate | 1930s |
| Occupation | Cab driver, construction worker, musician |
| Husband/Wife | Lorna Smith Tyson |
| Died | 1990 |
| Age at death | 60 years old |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Grandchildren | Miguel Leon Tyson, Mikey Lorna Tyson, Exodus Tyson, Milan Tyson, Amir Tyson, Ramsey Tyson, Morocco Tyson |
| Children | Mike Tyson (Son) |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Who Was Purcell Tyson?
Purcell Tyson was born in the early 1930s. Purcell was from Jamaica but lived in New York City as a young man. Purcell held many different jobs in his life, such as being a cab driver, a construction worker, and even a musician. But despite being at work, he wasn’t present much for Mike Tyson. Purcell wasn’t around much during Mike’s childhood.
Purcell’s life outside work was a mystery to everybody, including Mike Tyson. We do not know much about his personality or about his relationships. We do know that he was not actively involved in bringing up Mike. Mike never knew his dad and didn’t have much of a relationship with him.
Purcell’s Role in Mike’s Life
Mike Tyson spoke about how he felt toward his father in his autobiography, Undisputed Truth. He referred to Purcell Tyson as a “ghost” in his life. What that means is Mike did not have a father as a child. Purcell Tyson was placed as Mike’s father on his birth certificate, but the two men never developed a relationship.
In place of Purcell, Mike grew up under the care of his mother, Lorna Mae Smith. Mike also had a significant male figure in his life by the name of Jimmy “Curlee” Kirkpatrick Jr. Jimmy wasn’t Mike’s biological father, but Mike and his siblings were convinced that he was. Despite being a complicated individual with a questionable past, Jimmy was more present than Purcell.
What Happened to Purcell Tyson?
Purcell Tyson died in 1990 when Mike was approximately 14 years old. By the time he died, Mike had matured without having any significant relationship with him. Mike never got to know his father as an individual or establish a relationship.
Although Purcell wasn’t a presence in Mike’s life, Mike never harbored hatred or anger towards him. Rather, Mike appears to comprehend that Purcell struggled with issues of his own. Mike grew up hard, but he does not appear to blame his father for his hardship.
Impact on Mike Tyson
The lack of Purcell Tyson greatly affected Mike’s childhood. Mike was raised in Brooklyn, a rough neighborhood where crime and poverty were prevalent. Without a solid father figure, Mike had to make his own way in life. He often found himself in tough spots, but he also found individuals who guided him, such as Jimmy Kirkpatrick and his mother.
In spite of all the adversity, Mike Tyson became a world champion. His life is filled with woes, but he has always tried hard to better them. In his book, Mike explains how his rough childhood influenced who he became. Although his father was not present to assist him, Mike managed to make it through anyway.
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What We Can Learn from Purcell Tyson’s Story
The case of Purcell Tyson reminds everyone that not everybody has a perfect family. Some parents fail expectations, and one must learn how to live without them. From Mike Tyson’s case, you can see the kind of troubled childhoods may define us for the rest of our lives. Despite Purcell’s absence, Mike did not let it dissuade him from pursuing his dreams.
It’s also crucial to know that families don’t always turn out the way we expect them to. Even when a parent isn’t around, there are others who can fill in and be very important in a child’s life. Mike’s mother and other father figures played an important role in making him who he is today.
