Tyra Banks was born to Donald Banks ( Father ) and Carolyn London ( Mother ). Tyra Banks Young Tyra Banks was born in Los Angeles December 4, 1973, to Carolyn and Don Banks. But given how outspoken Banks had been about her struggles with IVF and the fact that she wanted to have a large family, more should have been surprised that babies were not part of the picture earlier for the America's Next Top Model alum.