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

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Frank Micelotta/Getty

Frank Micelotta/Getty

Proud parents Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles have always stood beside their superstar daughterBeyoncé.

The two have been heavily involved in theGrammy-winning artist’s career since herDestiny’s Childdays, with Mathew serving as the co-founder of the group and Beyoncé’s manager for over a decade. While the pair are no longer married, they remain co-parents to Beyoncé and her younger sister,Solange, as well as grandparents to their grandchildren.

Tina showed her support to her younger daughter whenSolange performed a multi-medium, four-act showcalled “In Service to Whom” at Art Gallery of New South Wales. In a comment on the singer’sInstagrampost about the show, Tina wrote, “Truly artful and Always so Beautiful and thought provoking , full to the brim with substance and deep intentionality !!! ❤️ you keep lifting the bar higher and higher !!!! ❤️❤️❤️.”

Keep reading for everything there is to know about Beyoncé’s parents, Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles.

They got married in 1980

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

Shortly after meeting, they tied the knot in 1980.

They welcomed Beyoncé in 1981 and Solange in 1986

Matthew Knowles Instagram

One year after they wed, the couple welcomed their older daughter, Beyoncé. Five years later, Solange joined the family in 1986.

Mathew and Tina nurtured their children’s musical gifts from a young age. In April 2023, Mathewopened up about raising his daughterson Instagram, sharing asweet throwback photoof 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 attempt to downplay their passions,” he wrote in the caption. “Rather, we encouraged them, we guided them, we supported them. As long as they took it seriously and strived to be the best they could, we were happy with whatever career path they chose.”

Beyoncé is named after Tina

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In an episode of the podcastIn My Head with Heather Thomson, Tina shared the origin story ofher older daughter’s moniker.

“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 at that time was not a cool thing to have that weird name. I wanted my name to be Linda Smith because those were the cool names.”

They divorced in 2011

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

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

They are both remarried

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

Two years later, in April 2015, Tinamarried actor Richard Lawsonin Newport, California. The wedding was small, and the couple exchanged vows onboard a 140-ft. yacht with Solange, Beyoncé,Jay Zand then-3-year-oldBlue Ivyin attendance.

According to Tina, her granddaughter actually inspired her to take a major step in her relationship.

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

Mathew co-founded 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 were signed to Columbia Records as Destiny’s Child and took on their most famous line-up of Beyoncé, Rowland and Michelle Williams.

In a May 2023 interview withEntertainment Tonight, Mathew said he wouldlove to see Destiny’s Child reunite.

“It’s a decision that the ladies would have to make,” he said, “and I would certainly, certainly support that decision as I still manage Destiny’s Child. I would love to see that as well.”

“Hopefully they do one last time in their career,” he added.

Mathew served as 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 served as her manager until 2011 when he stepped down from the role.

“I am grateful for everything he has taught me,” Beyoncé said in a statement about the decision. “I grew up watching both he 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 dearly. 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 that she has achieved. I look forward to her continued great success.”

They helped raise Kelly Rowland

While the Knowles aren’t officially former Destiny’s Child memberKelly Rowland’s parents, they often refer to the singer asone of their own. Rowland moved in with the Knowles family in Houston when she was 11 years old, eventually creating Girl’s Tyme with Beyoncé.

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

“I gave birth to two of you, but I have four incredible 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, most kind person I had ever met and you still are. You are also a true survivor. You never give up. Your discipline and drive always inspires me.”

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

They are proud grandparents

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

The grandchildren are allpresent on a special theme songfor their grandmother’s Facebook Watch talk show,Talks With Mama Tina. The promo includes the kids, Julez, Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi saying, “Let’s talk about it, Grandma!”

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

In January 2023, Tina shared atouching birthday tributeto her granddaughter Blue Ivy onInstagram.

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

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

In a September 2024 interview withGlamour, Tina opened up about how protective she feels over her grandchildren, who “didn’t ask” to be in the spotlight and won’t hesitate to defend them against online trolls.

“I have gotten on and let people have a piece of my mind several times,” she told the outlet. “But I take a lot, and then there’s certain things that I just have to draw the line on.”

Mathew is a breast cancer survivor

Beyoncé Instagram

In 2019, Mathew revealed that he had beendiagnosed with breast cancerduring an interview onGood Morning America. Mathew wasdiagnosed after a mammographyand biopsy, which confirmed suspicions of something abnormal in his health. He had caught his cancer early when it was Stage 1A, and he didn’t need chemotherapy. He did, however, need a mastectomy.

After his diagnosis and surgery, Mathewurged his daughters to undergo BRCA genetic testing. Knowles himself tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation while doctors were diagnosing his condition. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene can be inherited, so “Beyoncé and Solange have an increased risk” of having the same mutation, as Mathew told PEOPLE.

“They have an exceptional team, and they’ve gone through precautionary measures,” he added of his daughters. “They have taken care of that, 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.

source: people.com