Robin Givens Bio, Age, Husband, Family, Children, Height, Movies, TV Shows, Net Worth, Salary
Robin Givens is an American actress and director whose career has spanned film, television and theater for more than four decades. She became widely known in the 1980s after being cast as Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. She later appeared in films including A Rage in Harlem, Boomerang and Blankman, while continuing to build an extensive television career.
In more recent years, Givens has appeared in productions such as Riverdale, Batwoman, Katy Keene, Harlem and The Family That Preys. Her personal life, particularly her 1988 marriage to heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, has also received considerable media attention.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Available Information |
| Full Name | Robin Simone Givens |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1964 |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, director, producer |
| Education | Sarah Lawrence College |
| Acting Training | American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) |
| Mother | Ruth Roper/Newby Givens |
| Father | Reuben Givens |
| Sister | One younger sister |
| Former Husband | Mike Tyson |
| Second Husband | Svetozar Marinković |
| Children | Two sons |
| Adopted Son | Michael “Buddy” Givens |
| Biological Son | William “Billy” Jensen |
| Best Known For | Head of the Class, Boomerang, A Rage in Harlem, Batwoman |
| Active Since | 1978 |
| Salary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2 million |
Robin Givens Age and Early Life
Robin Simone Givens is 61 years old as of 2026. He was born on November 27, 1964, in New York City. She was raised primarily by her mother, Ruth, after her parents separated when she was young. Her father, Reuben Givens, left the family when Robin was a child, and she had limited contact with him afterward. She grew up with her younger sister in Westchester County, New York.
Givens developed an interest in performing at an early age. She began taking acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York when she was 10 years old. Robins initially played the violin but eventually focused her creative interests on acting. She was also academically gifted. Givens graduated early from New Rochelle Academy and subsequently attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied in a pre-med program.
Robin Givens Acting Career
Givens began appearing on television while she was still young. One of her early screen appearances was a small role in The Cosby Show in 1984. She also appeared in the 1981 film Fort Apache, The Bronx. Her major breakthrough came two years later when she was cast in Head of the Class.
Robin Givens in Head of the Class
Givens became a household name through the ABC sitcom Head of the Class, which ran from 1986 to 1991. She played Darlene Merriman, an intelligent and ambitious student in a class of academically gifted teenagers. The series became one of the most important projects of her early career and established her as a prominent young television actress. Her performance on the show helped Givens move into film roles and other television projects.
Robin Givens Movies
Following her success on Head of the Class, Givens expanded into feature films. One of her notable performances came in the 1991 crime film A Rage in Harlem, in which she played a femme-fatale character. The role helped her demonstrate that she could move beyond the teenage sitcom image associated with Head of the Class.
She subsequently appeared alongside Eddie Murphy in Boomerang in 1992. The romantic comedy also starred Halle Berry, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence and Grace Jones. Givens later appeared in Blankman, starring Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier, and continued working in both comedy and drama. Her other film credits include The Family That Preys, God’s Not Dead 2, Kimi, A New Diva’s Christmas Carol and Christmas Rescue.
Robin Givens on Television
Givens has maintained a long television career beyond Head of the Class. In 1996, she co-starred in the UPN sitcom Sparks, which ran for two seasons. She later took over hosting duties on the syndicated talk show Forgive or Forget in 2000. She has also appeared in numerous television movies and series, including The Women of Brewster Place, Angel Street, Hollywood Wives: The New Generation, House of Payne, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Riverdale, Katy Keene, Batwoman and Harlem.
Robin Givens in Batwoman
One of Givens’ prominent later television roles was Jada Jet in The CW superhero series Batwoman. She appeared in multiple episodes during the show’s third season. The role introduced her to a younger television audience and became one of her better-known recent television performances.
Robin Givens in Riverdale and Harlem
Givens also appeared in Riverdale, another popular CW drama. She later appeared in the series Harlem, playing Jacqueline Lewis in several episodes. TV databases list her continuing television work through the 2020s, demonstrating that she has remained active well beyond the period that originally made her famous.
Robin Givens and Mike Tyson
Robin Givens’ marriage to heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson became one of the most publicized celebrity relationships of the late 1980s. The couple began dating in 1987 and married on February 7, 1988. At the time, Tyson was one of the biggest names in professional boxing while Givens was a rising television star on Head of the Class.
Their marriage deteriorated rapidly. In a highly publicized 1988 interview with Barbara Walters, Givens described the relationship as extremely difficult and alleged physical and emotional abuse. Tyson disputed aspects of her account. The marriage ended in divorce in 1989. The breakup generated intense media coverage and affected Givens’ public image for years.
Did Robin Givens Receive Money From Mike Tyson?
Reports about the financial settlement following the divorce have varied. Some media reports claimed that Givens received millions of dollars from Tyson. Givens publicly denied those reports and said she did not receive a divorce settlement from him. The Washington Post reported in 1988 that she had stated she would complete the divorce without taking money from Tyson.
Because the financial terms of the eventual divorce agreement were private, the exact amount Givens received cannot be established reliably.
Robin Givens Second Marriage
Givens married Svetozar Marinković, a tennis instructor, in 1997. The marriage was extremely brief. Public biographical records report that the couple separated immediately and divorced the following year. Unlike her relationship with Tyson, the second marriage received considerably less media attention.
Is Robin Givens Married?
Robin Givens is not publicly documented as currently married. Her two documented marriages were to Mike Tyson and Svetozar Marinković. Her marriage to Tyson lasted from 1988 to 1989, while her marriage to Marinković was also very short and ended in divorce. She has had other relationships over the years, but there is no reliable evidence establishing a current husband.
Robin Givens Children
Robin Givens has two sons. Her first son, Michael “Buddy” Givens, was adopted in 1993. Her second son, William “Billy” Jensen, was born in 1999 and is the son of former professional tennis player Murphy Jensen.
Givens has generally protected her children’s privacy. She has spoken about motherhood and raising her sons, but detailed information about their private lives is limited.
Robin Givens Family
Givens was raised primarily by her mother, Ruth, alongside her younger sister. Her father, Reuben Givens, left the family when Robin was young. Givens has discussed the impact of her father’s absence in interviews and in her memoir. Her family background and childhood experiences have influenced some of her later discussions about relationships, faith and personal resilience.
Robin Givens Height
Robin stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters).
Givens as an Author
Givens has also written about her personal experiences. Her memoir, Grace Will Lead Me Home, discusses her childhood, family, faith, marriage to Mike Tyson and experiences with domestic violence. The book provided her with an opportunity to present her own perspective on events that had previously received extensive tabloid coverage.
Robin Givens and Domestic Violence Advocacy
Givens later became associated with advocacy and public awareness surrounding domestic violence. Her experience during her marriage to Tyson led her to speak publicly about abusive relationships. She also served as a spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for several years. Her advocacy became an important part of her public work alongside acting.
Robin Givens Awards
Givens has received recognition during her career, including the Female Star of Tomorrow ShoWest Award in 1991. She also received later nominations and awards for her acting work, including recognition for Dreams I Never Had. Her career has therefore included both mainstream television success and recognition for independent film work.
Robin Givens Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Production | Role |
| 1978 | The Wiz | Early screen appearance |
| 1981 | Fort Apache, The Bronx | Early film role |
| 1984 | The Cosby Show | Early television appearance |
| 1986–1991 | Head of the Class | Darlene Merriman |
| 1989 | The Women of Brewster Place | Television role |
| 1991 | A Rage in Harlem | Imabelle |
| 1992 | Boomerang | Jacqueline |
| 1994 | Blankman | Kimberly Jonz |
| 1996–1998 | Sparks | Wilma Cuthbert |
| 2000 | Forgive or Forget | Host |
| 2008 | The Family That Preys | Gloria |
| 2016 | God’s Not Dead 2 | Principal Kinney |
| 2019–2022 | Riverdale | Sierra McCoy |
| 2019–2022 | Batwoman | Jada Jet |
| 2020 | Katy Keene | Sierra McCoy |
| 2022 | Kimi | Natalie Chowdhury |
| 2022 | A New Diva’s Christmas Carol | Television role |
| 2023 | Christmas Rescue | Mama Rose |
| 2025 | Harlem | Jacqueline Lewis |
Robin Givens Salary
Her current salary is not publicly disclosed. There are no reliable public records showing what she currently earns per episode or production. Her income has varied throughout her career because she has worked as an actress, director, producer, television host and author.
Robin Givens Net Worth
Robin Givens has an estimated net worth of approximately $2 million. However, this is an estimate rather than a figure confirmed through financial disclosures. Her long career in television and film, along with work in theater, producing, directing, hosting and writing, provides multiple sources of income.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Robin Givens?
Robin Givens was born on November 27, 1964, making her 61 years old in 2026.
Where is Robin Givens from?
She was born in New York City and was raised primarily in Westchester County, New York.
Who is Robin Givens’ husband?
Robin Givens is not currently documented as married. Her former husbands were boxer Mike Tyson and tennis instructor Svetozar Marinković.
Was Robin Givens married to Mike Tyson?
Yes. They married on February 7, 1988, and their divorce was finalized in 1989.
Does Robin Givens have children?
Yes. She has two sons, Michael “Buddy” Givens, whom she adopted, and William “Billy” Jensen, whose father is former tennis player Murphy Jensen.
Did Robin Givens have children with Mike Tyson?
No. Givens and Tyson did not have children together. They experienced a miscarriage during their marriage.
What is Robin Givens famous for?
She is best known for playing Darlene Merriman on Head of the Class and for film roles in A Rage in Harlem and Boomerang. She is also known for later television roles in Riverdale, Batwoman and Harlem.
How tall is Robin Givens?
She stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m).
What did Robin Givens study?
She attended Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied in a pre-med program, and began acting training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at age 10.
What is Robin Givens’ salary?
Her current salary is not publicly disclosed.
What is Robin Givens’ net worth?
Her net worth is approximately $2 million, although this figure has not been independently verified through financial records.