Tyra Banks is getting real about her road to motherhood — and the unexpected moments that came with it.
While co-hosting TODAY with Jenna & Friends on April 14, the supermodel, entrepreneur, and former Top Model host shared personal details about her experience with IVF and the twists and turns that led to the birth of her son, York Banks Asla, who was welcomed via surrogate in January 2016.
“I remember being 24 years old and saying, ‘In three years, I’m going to have a child,’” Banks recalled. “But I kept putting my career first… and then, it was almost too late.”
After years of focusing on building a media empire, Tyra turned to in vitro fertilization (IVF) — a decision that opened doors but also revealed the emotional weight many women silently carry during fertility struggles.
One particular moment that left a lasting mark happened right after an egg retrieval procedure. Tyra found herself in a shared recovery room with another woman — a stranger, yet someone on a similar path. That brief, vulnerable exchange made her reflect on how often women navigate fertility challenges in silence, despite how deeply common the experience is.
Though Tyra now beams with joy when talking about her son York, her story is a powerful reminder that motherhood doesn’t always happen on the timeline we expect — and that it’s okay to speak openly about the emotional realities behind it.
