Pasionaye Nguyen was the mother of rapper Tyga, whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson. She lived largely outside the spotlight, but her influence on her son was evident in his public comments and music.
Nguyen died on January 18, 2025, at the age of 53. Tyga publicly confirmed her death in February 2025 with an emotional tribute.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Pasionaye Nicole Nguyen |
| Known For | Tyga’s mother |
| Son | Tyga (Micheal Ray Stevenson) |
| Date of Birth | September 11, 1971 |
| Date of Death | January 18, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 53 |
| Birthplace | Vietnam |
| Family Heritage | Vietnamese heritage |
| Grandson | King Cairo Stevenson |
| Music Connection | Her voicemail appeared on Tyga’s 2012 song “Black Crowns” |
| Public Profile | Lived largely outside the entertainment spotlight |
| Cause of Death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth | Not reliably publicly verified |
Early Life and Background
Reliable information about Pasionaye Nguyen’s early life is limited. Tyga’s family background has been described in biographical sources as Vietnamese on his mother’s side and Jamaican on his father’s side.
Nguyen’s exact birthplace, education and professional history have not been consistently documented by authoritative sources. For that reason, widely repeated details about those subjects are not presented as established facts.
What is clear is that Nguyen was a central figure in Tyga’s upbringing. In a 2016 interview, Tyga explained that his mother protected him from many of the difficulties she experienced while raising him.
“She always made sure that I was good, I was happy,” he said when discussing his childhood.
Pasionaye Nguyen and Tyga’s Career
Pasionaye Nguyen was not known as a recording artist or music-industry executive, but her connection to Tyga’s music was personal and memorable.
Tyga included a voicemail from his mother at the end of his 2012 song “Black Crowns,” from the album Careless World: Rise of the Last King. In the recording, Nguyen expressed pride in her son and his album.
The moment became particularly meaningful after her death. In his 2025 tribute, Tyga shared a video of Nguyen listening to the recording and becoming emotional as she heard her own voice praising him.
More than a decade after “Black Crowns” was released, Nguyen’s influence also resurfaced in Tyga’s creative work. In a 2026 interview with PEOPLE, Tyga said his new $TARFACE project was inspired by his mother and their shared connection to 1980s music, movies and culture.
Family Life
Pasionaye Nguyen was best known publicly through her relationship with her son. Tyga has spoken about the importance of his upbringing and the role his mother played in making sure he was cared for despite challenges in her own life.
Nguyen was also the grandmother of Tyga’s son, King Cairo Stevenson. During a 2023 custody dispute between Tyga and Blac Chyna, court documents discussed Nguyen’s involvement in communications concerning her grandson.
Beyond those documented family connections, relatively little reliable information is available about Nguyen’s private relationships or wider family history.
Death and Legacy
Pasionaye Nguyen died on January 18, 2025, at 53. Tyga announced the news publicly on February 21, sharing photographs, videos and a personal message about his mother.
Tyga described Nguyen as the most supportive person in his life and said he could not imagine life without her. His tribute also included the voicemail she had recorded for “Black Crowns,” creating a direct link between her memory and his music.
Her influence continued into Tyga’s later work. In July 2026, he told PEOPLE that his $TARFACE project was inspired by Nguyen and the cultural world of the 1980s that they shared an appreciation for.
Net Worth
There is no reliable, publicly verified figure for Pasionaye Nguyen’s personal net worth.
Online celebrity websites may publish estimates, but those figures are not supported by sufficient financial documentation. A specific amount would therefore be speculative.
FAQs
Who was Pasionaye Nguyen?
Pasionaye Nguyen was the mother of rapper Tyga, whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson. She maintained a largely private life while supporting her son's career.
When did Pasionaye Nguyen die?
Pasionaye Nguyen died on January 18, 2025, aged 53. Tyga publicly announced her death about a month later.
Did Pasionaye Nguyen appear in Tyga’s music?
Yes. Tyga used a voicemail from his mother in “Black Crowns,” a song from his 2012 album Careless World: Rise of the Last King.
Who was Pasionaye Nguyen’s son?
Her son was rapper Tyga, whose birth name is Michael Ray Stevenson.
Did Pasionaye Nguyen influence Tyga’s later music?
Yes. In a 2026 PEOPLE interview, Tyga said his $TARFACE project was inspired by his mother and their shared interest in 1980s culture.
Conclusion
Pasionaye Nguyen lived most of her life away from celebrity attention, but her influence on Tyga has remained visible through his words and music. From the voicemail featured on “Black Crowns” to the inspiration she provided for his 2026 $TARFACE project, her memory continues to have a place in her son’s creative life.
