Who Is Tuki Brando? His Family, Net Worth, Facts Worth Knowing

Publish date: 2024-06-29

Tuki Brandon is a French supermodel popular with Versace menswear among many top brands. He made his way to the top of modeling through hard work despite the tragedies surrounding his life. Many people remember him as the grandchild of American actor Marlon Brando of The Godfather.

Tuki’s tragic life started right when he was in the womb. Losing both parents at a young age pushed him into the arms of his maternal grandmother, Tarita Teripaia.

Despite the tragedies of his life, Tuki became a well-known model. Keep reading to find out all the untold facts about his life.

Personal Profile

Table of Contents

Who Is Tuki Brando?

Tuki Brando is the grandson of Marlon  Brandon the oscar-winning actor. He was born on June 26 1990 in Taiwan. Tuki is the grandson of Oscar-winning actor, Marlon Brando and his last wife, Tarita Teripaia.  He is currently 33 years old.

His mother, Cheyenne Brando was the second child of Marlon and Tarita’s union. He grew up with his maternal grandmother in Tahiti. His mother lost custody of him due to her mental instability. He became an orphan at the age of five.

Tuki not only hid behind the shadows of his famous family members but he also took his own path in life as a model. He found maternal love in his grandmother’s arms and had his glimpse into the modeling world behind her skirts. He was discovered by Bruce Weber in 2006 marking his entry into the world of high-brow modeling.

Also See: Life And Death Of Tommy Bolin- 6 Amazing Facts About Him

10 Unknown About Tuki Brando

1. Bruce Weber Discovered Tuki Brando

Anyone interested in Tuki’s story should start from the beautiful moments. In 2006, Bruce Weber photographed Tuki with his grandmother for his All American series(Volume six). This marked a new beginning far removed from the sad events of his infancy.

Later, Weber snapped him for L’Uomo Vogue for the February edition in 2007. This launched his career into modeling.

Today, Tuki is one of the high-power male models in famous issues like Versace. He is a well-known face of Versace and TechnoMarine watches.

2. Tuki Brando Attended Medical School

With a sad past, Tuki is making his way into the world. Juggling between photoshoots and a modeling career, Tuki attended medical school in the French town of Bordeaux.

3. His Father Was Killed By His Mother’s Half Brother

Family scandals exist in rich and average families. Those who feel the pains are those that are left behind to clean up the mess. His father was killed when he was still in the womb in 1990.

The shooter was also a family member. In fact, he was Tuki’s mother’s half-brother, Christian Brando. How the Brando family coped with this mess is still a wonder.

Christian shot at Brando’s father for beating an eight-month pregnant Cheyenne marking the beginning of losing Brandon’s first parent. Christian served 5 out of his ten-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. Cheyenne fled to Tahiti to avoid testifying against her brother.

4. Tuki Brando Mother Hung Herself

He may not remember the absence of a mother as his maternal grandmother filled that role. Yet, can a mother’s love be ever replaced?

Tuki’s mother, Tarita Cheyenne Brandon committed suicide in 1995 at the prime age of 25. Many explanations have been given for the sad event that made the headlines, one little boy just lost his mom while the whole world scrambled for answers.

5. He Was Omitted From His Grandfather’s Will

Marlon left a huge estate at his death in 2004. However, members of his family were not the benefactors of his will. It is a well-known fact that Marlon did not have a close relationship with his third wife’s children and grandchild.

He never allowed Tuki’s mom and uncle to come to America on the excuse that the fast-paced life in America will consume them. That cold relationship made him disinherit them from his will despite giving strangers what he owned in his will. Thirteen-year-old Tuki was omitted from his grandfather’s will.

6. Tuki Brando Grandfather Inheritance

Marlon not only removed his family from his will, but he also left the bulk of his $26 million worth of estate to his producer, associates, and long-time housekeeper.

His Island on French Polynesia is under the management of his estate.

His housekeeper sued for a bridge of promise that Marlon had made to her. He promised her his house. He may not have gotten around to effect changes to the will before he died. The matter was later settled.

7. Marlon Brando Left No Arrangement For His Tetiaroa Atoll

One of the great spots in Brando’s life was spent with friends and family on his Tetiaroa Island Atoll in Tahiti. He discovered the tiny piece of heaven while scouting for locations for Mutiny on the Boat in 1960.  After obtaining the land, he built a village on the islets and used it as a vacationing spot.

Two years to his death, he signed a new will that left out Tetiaroa out. He had leased the islets for 99 years. Presently, a Brando resort was built there by the Tetiaroa Beachcomber SC. It opened in 2014 and all his eleven children are involved in running the place.

8. Tuki Brando Grandmother is The Only Survivor Of Marlon’s Ex-wives

Marlon Brando rose to the height of fame and had opportunities to love. During his lifetime, he married three women. Tuki’s grandmother was the third and last wife of his grandfather.

The first and second wives both died within months of each other in 2015. Movita Castaneda died on February 12. While Anna kashfi died on august 16 of 2015.

To date, Tarita Teripaia is the only surviving ex-wife of Marlon Brandon.

9. Brandon Family Tragedy, An Inspiration For Film

Tuki was still in the womb when his life story began. Born in a famous Hollywood family, he had no control over what story is told of his family. The events leading to his father’s shooting happened in Marlon’s house located on Mulholland Drive.

Coincidently that location has other eerie stories attached to it. Jack Nicholson had lived there at the time Samantha Geimer was abused by Roman Polanski. Talk about a sad story, here is a script right off Mulholland Drive in Hollywood.

10. Tuki Brando Grandfather Rejected His Oscar Award

His grandfather, Marlon is still one of Hollywood’s greatest actors. Many directors cite him as difficult to work with. Yet, his acting had its moments. His most popular role was as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather in 1972.

Marlon won the Academy Awards for the role. He rejected it by sending Sacheen Littlefeather to announce it. His reasons were the bad way American Indians were treated.

How Did He Make His Net Worth?

Tuki Brando rose from tragedy to stardom. He started modeling at a young age. He is a popular face with brands like Versace Menswear. His net worth is estimated at over $1 million.

He is related to rich family members like the actor Marlon Brandon. His grandfather’s estate was worth $26 million at the time of his death in 2004. Yet, Tuki was left out of the will.

Every earning he made was from his modeling career.

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