Duke’s mom in Peaky Blinders is Zelda , a Romani woman who had a relationship with Tommy Shelby before World War I.

Quick Scoop: Who Is Duke’s Mom?

  • Duke Shelby’s mother is Zelda , a gypsy (Romani) woman.
  • She had an intimate encounter with Tommy under a hazel tree before he went to fight in the Great War, and she later gave birth to Duke (Erasmus).
  • Zelda raised Duke on the road in a Romani group, without Tommy’s involvement, for about 19 years.
  • She eventually became seriously ill and died after being refused a hospital bed because she was a gypsy and had no insurance.
  • After her death, Duke stayed with his aunt Esme Shelby‑Lee, who later brings him into Tommy’s life.

In fan discussions and newer forums, people sometimes spin theories about Duke’s mom appearing as a ghostly or spiritual figure around Tommy, but in the canon of the series her name, backstory, and fate are clearly established as Zelda, a Romani woman who died before Duke properly meets his father.

TL;DR: Duke’s mom is Zelda , a Romani woman who had Tommy’s first son before the war, raised Duke alone on the road, and died after being denied medical care.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.