Who is Monica Turner? Her turbulent relationship with ex-husband Mike Tyson

Monica Turner, in other words Monica Teresa Turner, is a pediatrician. However, she came to limelight as the wife of the former boxing legend Mike Tyson. Considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Tyson has earned several nicknames throughout his illustrious career, including “Iron Mike,” “Kid Dynamite,” and “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”

In fact, Turner and her ex-husband Tyson got closer while the boxer was in jail. Shortly after Tyson’s release, they began dating and got married after two years into their relationship. However, their married life could not last long resulting in a highly publicized divorce in the early 2000s. Turner cited Mike’s adultery as the reason behind their divorce.

This article covers every aspect of Monica Turner’s life, including her parents, childhood, and more.

Who are Monica Turner’s parents? Is a half sister of Michael Steele

Mike Tyson’s second wife, Turner, is the daughter of Maebasell Steele and John Turner. Her father used to work as a truck driver.

Her parents also adopted a son named Michael Steele (Monica’s half-brother). Michael is a former lieutenant governor of Maryland who held the coveted position from 2003 to 2007. He also serves as a political commentator and attorney.

Her family lived in a modest home in the Petworth neighborhood of northwestern Washington.

Monica Turner early life and age

Turner was born in late February 1969 in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest, Washington, DC. She was 54 years old in 2023. She grew up along with her older half-brother Michael.

By the way, Tyson’s second wife is an American by nationality and belongs to a mixed ethnicity.

Turner was a medical student at the university

Monica Turner attended Regina High School, an all-girls Catholic school. She later joined the University of Virginia and studied psychology and biology at the university.

In addition, Monica graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1995. She then specialized in pediatrics.

Mike Tyson’s wife, Monica Turner, is a pediatrician

Former celebrity husband Turner is now a pediatrician +20 years of experience in the field. Her classmate in Georgetown, Dominique Wilmot, told The Washington Post that Turner always wanted to be a pediatrician. He said,

“She loves children. There is a special bond when you decide to work with children and she has that. She’s patient. Very patient.”

And after medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Monica also started her career as a pediatrician. She currently works in Bethesda, Maryland.

She is also the COO of Debonair Attire with her son

In addition to being a pediatrician, the former famous wife Turner is also active Debonair clothing, a fashion and stylish company with her son. It was also founded by her son Amir Tyson who currently serves as the company’s CEO. And Monica is the chief operating officer (COO) of the company.

In the following paragraphs, let’s talk about Monica’s turbulent relationship with Mike Tyson and their tough divorce settlement.

When did Monica Turner meet Tyson? Their secret love story in the lockup

The couple first met at a 1990 party hosted by the legendary actor and comedian Eddie Murphy on the estate in New Jersey. In the same year, Monica participated in a program at Georgetown University, which was created to bring minorities into medicine.

Sources say the two had a secret relationship until Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison in Indiana March 26, 1992. The boxer was also placed on probation for four years raping an 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant named, Desiree Washington.

In the meantime, Mohammed Siddeeqsaid Tyson’s best friend and advisor The Washington Post,

“The relationship developed long before prison.”

Siddeeq also revealed that their relationship continued to grow at the time,

“But I think it improved itself during prison. They wrote to each other, talked on the phone, and she was constantly by his side.

Turner routinely flew to visit Indianapolis almost every two weeks until the boxing legend was released in March 1995 after about three years in prison.

In the same interview, representative of Tyson Charles Williams described their relationship as, “It is mutual admiration and respect for each other. She has fallen in love with a man she admires and respects for his tenacity to survive his personal struggles.”

Relationship after Tyson’s release

Shortly after his release, Monica moved comfortably into the extravagant world of her then-boyfriend Tyson. The two first checked his mansion outside of Cleveland. They then visited his $3.7 million property in Las Vegas.

They got married after two years in a relationship

Turner and her then-boyfriend Tyson dated for a few years before getting married in April 1997. The two married at their home in Bethesda in a Muslim ceremony. The wonderful event was presided over by Mohammed SiddeeqTyson’s spiritual advisor.

However, just a year into their marriage, Tyson faced legal trouble again for assaulting two motorists in August 1998. In February 1999, he was ordered to serve one year in prison at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

Despite his legal drama and other major problems, Monica always supported her husband through thick and thin. But their marital relationship didn’t last long as the two went their separate ways in 2002 after five years of marriage.

What was the reason behind their divorce? Their messy divorce settlement

In early 2002, Mike Tyson’s wife at the time, Monica, filed for divorce from him, citing Tyson’s adultery as the reason for their breakup. According to Turner’s divorce papers at the Montgomery County Circuit Court, the professional boxer spent most of his time away from home.

The pediatrician also claimed in her statement that notorious womanizer Mike was also a spendthrift. He spent about $140 million on women, luxury cars and other possessions.

Their divorce process came to an end in 2003. Tyson reportedly paid nearly $10 million to his ex-wife as their divorce settlement. Monica also got the duo’s luxury estate in Farmington, the $4 million Bethesda home at the time.

Their Farmington duplex hit the market with an asking price of $4.75 million around the same time their divorce was finalized. The mansion has 38 bathrooms, an indoor pool, a working elevator and a movie theater. Furthermore, it also contains a nightclub of 3,500 square meters.

Did Monica Turner share children with her ex-husband Tyson?

Yes, the former flames have two adult children. They welcomed their first child named a daughter Rayna Tyson, On February 14, 1996. Monica gave birth to their second child, a son Amir Tyson On August 5, 1997.

Their daughter attended New York University to study film and television production. In 2016, the rising youngster was nominated for Best Film Student at the college.

By the way, Mike Tyson’s daughter was already part of the mega hit Hollywood movie joker starring the Academy Award-winning Joaquin Phoenix. She also continued to work The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson in 2017.

In addition, Turner’s son Amir is currently interning at ESPN. The American University graduate also runs a clothing company named Debonair clothing.

Monica Turner’s first child with her ex-drug dealer boyfriend

Before her two kids with Tyson, Monica gave birth to her first child with her ex-beau Eugene B Byrd, a former drug dealer. She bore their daughter, Gena, in 1989. Tragically, Byrd, 28 years her senior, was incarcerated for ten years in a federal prison in Lewisburg, PA, the same year.

He was arrested for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Convicted drug dealer Byrd was also the manager of Les Niece’s nightclub, which was frequented by college students.

After Eugene’s ten-year prison sentence, his and Monica’s relationship remained estranged. She raised their daughter as a single mother. Gena attended Lowell School, a private preschool.

Shortly after Eugene’s arrest, Turner purchased a mansion on Georgia Avenue near the Maryland border for $124,500. She reportedly had an investment in a four-unit apartment building near Catholic University.

Read also: Who is Mikey Lorna Tyson? In the life of Mike Tyson’s daughter

Monica Turner’s Net Worth

Her net worth is $3 million as of 2023. She received a huge amount from her divorce settlement with Tyson. And now the husband of an ex-celebrity earns money from her job as a pediatrician.

Her house is for sale

Turner listed her Maryland mansion for sale with a market price of £7 million ($9.75 million) in May 2020. The luxury home, which sits on a massive 19,000 square foot lot, has seven bedrooms.

It also features a large gym, games room, sports court, swimming pool and piano room. In addition, the sprawling property also overlooks the Congressional Country Club golf course.

What happened to Monica Turner?

Turner was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in recent years. But, she’s fine now. The disease primarily affects the brain and spinal cord. The main symptoms are loss of vision, pain and fatigue.

As of now, Monica resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her family.