5 Surprising Facts About Tyra Banks' Son, York Banks Asla: The Supermodel's New Life In Australia (Updated 2025)

Tyra Banks, the iconic supermodel and business mogul, has successfully kept her son, York Banks Asla, largely out of the intense public spotlight, but recent changes to her family’s life have brought new details to light as of late 2024 and early 2025. The former host of *America's Next Top Model* (ANTM) has transitioned from the high-octane world of television and fashion to focus on a more private, family-centric existence.

The biggest news surrounding Tyra’s family is their international relocation, a move that signals a major shift in her priorities. Banks, her son York, and her longtime partner have quietly established a new home base far from Hollywood, allowing her son a more normal childhood away from the paparazzi’s constant gaze.

York Banks Asla: A Snapshot Biography

York Banks Asla is the only child of Tyra Banks and her ex-partner, Norwegian photographer Erik Asla. His arrival was a celebrated moment after Tyra had been very public about her struggles with infertility.

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• Full Name: York Banks Asla
• Date of Birth: January 27, 2016
• Age: 9 years old (as of early 2025)
• Parents: Tyra Banks (Mother) and Erik Asla (Father)
• Current Location: Sydney, Australia (Relocated late 2023/early 2024)
• Method of Birth: Gestational Surrogacy
• Current Family Unit: Lives with his mother, Tyra Banks, and her current partner, Louis Bélanger-Martin.

The Emotional Surrogacy Journey and His Unique Name

York Banks Asla’s birth story is a testament to perseverance and modern family building. Tyra Banks had been open about her intense, years-long struggle to conceive, including multiple unsuccessful rounds of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

This emotional journey led Tyra and her then-partner, Erik Asla, to choose gestational surrogacy. The announcement of York's birth in 2016 was a moment of profound joy for the supermodel, who shared the happy news with her fans, calling her son a "miracle baby."

A Name That Honors His Parents

York’s full name, York Banks Asla, is a deliberate blend of his parents’ identities. The "Banks" comes from his mother, Tyra, the global fashion icon, and "Asla" is the surname of his father, Erik. The first name, York, is a classic, strong choice that stands out. This naming convention is a sweet nod to the blended family dynamic, even after Tyra and Erik Asla separated in 2017.

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Tyra has often spoken about how motherhood has changed her perspective, shifting her focus from her massive career empire to her son’s well-being. She has described him as "really smart" and a "mini-me" in terms of personality, often showing a creative flair.

The Big Move: Why Tyra Banks and York Relocated to Sydney

One of the most significant and recent developments in Tyra Banks' personal life is her relocation to Sydney, Australia. This major move, which occurred in late 2023, was a conscious decision to prioritize her family and her son's upbringing.

Tyra, who was born and raised in Inglewood, California, and built her career in New York and Los Angeles, explained that the move was driven by a desire for a quieter, more "dream" life for her family. She, York, and her current partner, Canadian businessman Louis Bélanger-Martin, are now based in Sydney.

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The Role of Louis Bélanger-Martin

While Erik Asla remains York’s biological father, Tyra has been in a long-term relationship with Louis Bélanger-Martin since 2018. Louis is a key figure in York's life and was instrumental in the decision to move the family to Australia.

This new environment offers York Banks Asla a chance to grow up with less scrutiny than he would face in the US, where his mother is a household name as the creator of the "Smize" and the face of countless global brands, including Victoria's Secret and CoverGirl.

York's Private Life and His Mom's Legacy

Despite having a mother who is a global icon with an estimated net worth of $90 million, Tyra Banks has worked hard to ensure York has a childhood that is as normal as possible.

Tyra has been very protective of her son's privacy, rarely sharing his face on social media. She has expressed the importance of him choosing his own path and not being defined by her celebrity. This protective stance is a key part of her parenting philosophy.

A Disinterested Judge

In a humorous anecdote that highlights his normalcy, Tyra once revealed that York was completely "bored" watching her host *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS). While the world was captivated by her hosting and executive producer role, her son’s main focus was simply on his mom being home.

This moment perfectly encapsulates the dynamic: to the world, she is the legendary supermodel who broke barriers by becoming the first African American woman on the covers of *GQ* and the *Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue*; to York Banks Asla, she is simply "Mom."

The move to Australia with Louis Bélanger-Martin marks a new, slower chapter for Tyra, one focused on the simple joys of motherhood and raising her son. It is a powerful example of the mogul choosing family over the relentless demands of a Hollywood career, ensuring her "miracle baby" has the privacy and stability to thrive.