Mike Tyson
Arrested 38 times by 13; a reform-school counselor introduced him to the trainer who became his guardian.
Mike Tyson was born in 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, US. Mike Tyson's background is described as Black American. Growing up, the family was in poverty — his father left when he was two; his mother died when he was 16, and trainer Cus D'Amato became his legal guardian. Arrested 38 times by 13; a reform-school counselor introduced him to the trainer who became his guardian.
- Born
- 1966 · Brooklyn, New York, US
- Roots
- Black American
- Family
- Poverty
- His father left when he was two; his mother died when he was 16, and trainer Cus D'Amato became his legal guardian.
- Education
- Left Catskill High School; tutored at D'Amato's house
- Started with
- A pigeon coop
- His first fight, by his account, came when an older boy killed one of his pigeons; a reform-school counselor later took him to Cus D'Amato.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1979 · age 13Tryon reform school
Counselor Bobby Stewart, an ex-boxer, sees the talent and drives him to D'Amato, who declares him a future heavyweight champion on sight.
- 1986 · age 20Youngest heavyweight champion
Stops Trevor Berbick; D'Amato had died the year before.
- 1988 · age 21Spinks in 91 seconds$20M+
Undisputed, unbeaten, and the highest-paid athlete in the world.
- 1992 · age 25Convicted of rape
Serves three years of a six-year sentence in Indiana.
- 1997 · age 30The ear
Disqualified for biting Holyfield; his license is revoked for a period. Bankruptcy follows in 2003 despite some $400M in career earnings.
- 2020 · age 54Reinvention
Podcasts, a one-man show, a cannabis business, and an exhibition return at 54.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mike Tyson from?
Mike Tyson was born in 1966 in Brooklyn, New York, US. Their background is described as Black American.
When was Mike Tyson born?
Mike Tyson was born in 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, US.
What is Mike Tyson's background or ethnicity?
Mike Tyson's roots are described as Black American. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Mike Tyson go to school?
Mike Tyson's education: Left Catskill High School; tutored at D'Amato's house.
What was Mike Tyson's family background growing up?
At birth the family was in poverty. His father left when he was two; his mother died when he was 16, and trainer Cus D'Amato became his legal guardian.
How did Mike Tyson get started?
Mike Tyson started with a pigeon coop. His first fight, by his account, came when an older boy killed one of his pigeons; a reform-school counselor later took him to Cus D'Amato.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.