All About Beyoncé’s Parents, Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles

Proud parents Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles have always been there for their superstar daughter Beyoncé.

The two have been heavily involved in the Grammy-winning artist’s career since her Destiny’s Child days, with Mathew co-founding the group and Beyoncé’s manager for more than a decade. Although the couple is no longer married, they remain co-parents to Beyoncé and her younger sister Solange, as well as grandparents to their grandchildren.

At the 2023 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé broke the record for the most wins ever by a single artist. During her acceptance speech, she sweetly greeted her parents. “I would like to thank my parents, my father, my mother for loving and pushing me,” she said.

Keep reading for everything you can know about Beyoncé’s parents, Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles.

They got married in 1980

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The couple met in Houston in the mid-70s. Mathew recently graduated from Fisk University in Nashville with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics, and Tina went to college and was working in sales at the time, according to The Houston Chronicle.

Shortly after meeting, they got married in 1980.

They welcomed Beyoncé in 1981 and Solange in 1986

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A year after the wedding, the couple had their eldest daughter, Beyoncé. Five years later, Solange joined the family in 1986.

Mathew and Tina nurtured their children’s musical gift from an early age. In April 2023, Mathew opened up about raising his daughters on Instagram, sharing a sweet throwback photo of Beyoncé and Solange.

“When Beyoncé and Solange showed an interest in music at a very young age, Tina and I (who were already corporate professionals and entrepreneurs) didn’t try to diminish their passion,” he wrote in the caption. “On the contrary, we encouraged them, we guided them, we supported them. As long as they took it seriously and tried to be the best they could be, we were happy with whatever career they chose.”

Beyoncé was named after Tina

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In an episode of the podcast In My Head with Heather ThomsonTina shared the story of the origin of her older daughter’s nickname.

“A lot of people don’t know that Beyoncé is my last name. It’s my maiden name,” she said. “My name was Celestine Beyoncé, which wasn’t cool at the time to have that weird name. I wanted to be called Linda Smith because those were cool names.”

They divorced in 2011

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Mathew and Tina were married for 30 years before announcing their decision to divorce in 2011.

The former couple released a statement to The Associated Press regarding the divorce, which read: “The decision to end our marriage is an amicable one. We remain friends, parents and business partners.”

Both are remarried

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In 2013, Mathew married former model Gena Charmaine Avery in Houston, Texas.

Two years later, in April 2015, Tina married actor Richard Lawson in Newport, California. The wedding was small, with the couple exchanging vows on a 140-foot boat. yachting with Solange, Beyoncé, Jay Z and the then three-year-old Blue Ivy.

According to Tina, her granddaughter actually encouraged her to take a big step in her relationship.

“[In September] we went on a boat with Beyoncé and Jay Z for her birthday, and when we came out dressed for dinner one night, Blue said, ‘Oh, you’re going to look beautiful. When are you getting married?’ ” Tina told PEOPLE. “Richard said, ‘Oh, Blue, soon. Do you approve?’ And she said yes. That was the first time we seriously talked about getting married.”

Mathew is the co-founder of Destiny’s Child

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In 1990, Mathew co-founded Destiny’s Child, originally called Girl’s Tyme, in Houston, which consisted of Beyoncé, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett. In 1997, they signed to Columbia Records as Destiny’s Child and took on their most famous lineup of Beyoncé, Rowland and Michelle Williams.

The group was a huge success, earning several Grammy nominations and two wins for hits like “Survivor” and “Say My Name.” Mathew was their manager until they broke up in 2006, and also managed the solo careers of Rowland, Williams and his daughter.

In an interview with May 2023 Party tonightMathew said he would love to see a Destiny’s Child reunion.

“That’s a decision the ladies would have to make,” he said, “and I would definitely, definitely support that decision since I’m still managing Destiny’s Child. I’d love to see that too.”

“I hope he does it for the last time in his career,” he added.

Mathew was Beyoncé’s manager until 2011

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Beyoncé was just a teenager when she first rose to fame with Destiny’s Child in the late ’90s, and Mathew was her manager until 2011 when he stepped down from the role.

“I’m grateful for everything he taught me,” Beyoncé said in a statement about the decision. “I grew up watching both him and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking entrepreneurs, and I will continue to follow in their footsteps.”

She added of Mathew: “He is my father for life and I love my dad very much. I am grateful for everything he has taught me.”

“Business is business and family is family,” Matthew said in a separate statement about the change. “I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is and all she has accomplished. I look forward to her continued great success.”

They helped raise Kelly Rowland

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Although the Knowles are not officially the parents of former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland, they often refer to the singer as one of their own. Rowland moved in with the Knowles family in Houston when she was 11, eventually forming Girl’s Tyme with Beyoncé.

On Mother’s Day 2021, Tina published an open letter dedicated to her daughters, including Rowland, in TIME magazine.

“I gave birth to you two, but I have four amazing daughters,” she wrote, also referring to her niece Angie. “Kelly, I know without a doubt that you were a true gift from God. You came to live with us when you were only 11 years old. You were the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met and still are. You are also a true survivor. You never give up . Your discipline and desire always inspire me.”

Tina remains in Rowland’s life as a mother figure and friend, and the singer has even turned to her for parenting advice when raising her own children.

They are proud grandparents

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Mathew and Tina have four grandchildren: Solange’s son Julez and Beyoncé’s children Blue Ivy and twins Sir and Rumi. Tina also considers herself a grandparent to Kelly Rowland’s two children, Noah and Titan.

All the grandchildren are present in the special theme song for grandma’s Facebook Watch talk show, Conversations with mom Tina. The promo features the kids, Julez, Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi saying, “Let’s talk about it, Grandma!”

Proud grandparents often praise their grandchildren. When twins Sir and Rumi were born in 2017, Tina expressed her excitement on Instagram.

“I’m so happy, my baby shared a photo of her babies with the world,” Tina wrote on Instagram after her daughter shared the first photo of the twins. “Proud grandma. Hello Sir Carter and Rumi Carter. Boy and girl what a blessing.” Grandpa Matthew also retweeted the photo with the caption: “Beautiful! #ProudDad #ProudGrandDad #Beyonce.”

In January 2023, Tina shared a touching birthday tribute to her granddaughter Blue Ivy on Instagram.

“The day you were born was one of the best days of my life,” Tina wrote in the caption. “You are funny, beautiful and graceful, kind and so smart. I couldn’t ask for a better granddaughter, Mrs. Blue Ivy Carter! I couldn’t be more blessed, grateful and completely in love with another human being. You truly bring me joy!! Grandma T,” signed is a publication.

Later that year, Julez joined Tina at the London premiere of Beyoncé’s concert film, Renaissance: The Beyoncé Movie.

“My handsome grandson,” the caring grandmother wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair.

Mathew is a breast cancer survivor

Beyoncé’s Instagram

In 2019, Mathew revealed that he had been diagnosed with breast cancer during an interview with Good morning America. Mathew was diagnosed after a mammogram and biopsy, which confirmed suspicions of something abnormal in his health. He caught the cancer early, at stage 1A, and did not need chemotherapy. He still needed a mastectomy.

After his diagnosis and surgery, Mathew urged his daughters to undergo BRCA genetic testing. Sam Knowles tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation when doctors diagnosed his condition. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene can be inherited, so “Beyoncé and Solange are at increased risk” of having the same mutation, Mathew told PEOPLE.

“They have an exceptional team and they’ve gone through the precautions,” he added of his daughters. “They’ve taken care of it, it’s simple testing. And they’re moving on.”

Mathew and Tina reunite for big moments

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Despite no longer being together, Mathew and Tina often reunite to celebrate their daughters and their blended family.

Big moments don’t come without a reunion, as evidenced by the family reunion for Beyoncé’s On The Run II Tour 2018. The superstar shared a series of photos on Instagram with both of her parents present to support her in the big milestone.

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Source: HIS Education