Tina Knowles: The Mom Who Raised Beyoncé and Solange to Stay Close (and How Therapy Helped)

Tina Knowles has always been more than just “Beyoncé’s mom.” In her new memoir, Matriarch, she steps into the spotlight to share her own story—one of love, courage, and the lessons she learned raising two extraordinary daughters. From taking Beyoncé and Solange to therapy as kids, to fighting for their right to express themselves, Tina shows how being a mother sometimes means pushing against what everyone else thinks is “normal.” Along the way, she built businesses, faced family challenges, and, later in life, found a new purpose in sharing her journey with the world.

A Mother Who Listened to Her Heart

When Beyoncé was about twelve and Solange around seven, Tina noticed something worrying. As Beyoncé’s singing talent grew, the sisters began to drift apart. Girls in Beyoncé’s group would tease Solange, and Solange felt left out. Tina remembers thinking, “They need to stay close.” It was a time when few people talked about children going to therapy. Her own family even protested, and Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles, didn’t want anything to do with it. But Tina stood her ground. She believed counseling would help her girls learn to understand each other better, so she signed them up and took them together.

Therapy gave Beyoncé and Solange a safe space to share their feelings. It helped them grow not just as sisters, but as young women who could lean on each other. Tina’s own childhood experiences—when she felt her mother favored her brother—taught her how important it was for each child to feel equally loved. She was determined that none of her daughters would carry the weight of jealousy or loneliness inside their own family.

One Day—Just for You

At a time when Beyoncé’s star was rising, Tina knew she had to carve out special moments for each daughter. She set aside one day every week: Wednesdays were for Solange. Whenever Beyoncé had rehearsals or recording sessions, Tina would take Solange out for lunch, museum visits, or just a quiet walk. On other days, she focused on Beyoncé. Those one-on-one moments let each girl feel valued for who she was, not just as part of a famous duo.

This simple idea takes little planning but changes everything. As Tina puts it, “It was my way of saying, ‘I see you. I love you, just as you are.’” Those weekly dates planted seeds of confidence in both girls, helping them face challenges with strength and a sense of belonging.

Turning Pain into Purpose

More than ten years ago, during the quiet hours on flights between New York and Houston, Tina started to record voice notes on her phone. She spoke into the microphone about her childhood in Texas, her love for cooking, and even the storms she weathered—divorce, the loss of family members, and the fear of getting older. At fifty-nine, she began to think, “I’m not going to be here forever. What legacy will I leave?”

Those voice notes became the foundation of Matriarch. Today, at seventy-one, Tina reflects on those moments with gratitude. She remembers the sadness that spurred her to write, but also the excitement she felt as stories flowed out of her. She wanted to leave a map—a guide for her children, grandchildren, and anyone who might look to her for inspiration.

From Beauty Shop to Hollywood Hills

Before becoming the driving force behind her daughters’ success, Tina ran a busy beauty shop in their hometown. She loved styling hair, mixing scents, and making people feel beautiful. Everyone who walked through her doors left with more than a new hairdo—they left with a boost of confidence.

As Beyoncé and Solange grew up, Tina’s talents shifted toward music and fashion. She styled magazine covers, concert looks, and award-show outfits. She became a trusted adviser to her daughters, defending their style choices every step of the way. When a magazine wanted Beyoncé’s hair in a tight bun, Tina said, “No way,” insisting her daughter’s curls stay free. When singer Maxwell was told to wear a hat on a shoot, Tina removed it and styled his hair instead. She taught her children that their unique traits were their greatest strengths.

Building a Business and a Family

Tina and her former husband, Mathew Knowles, built a small empire together. They managed Beyoncé’s early group, Destiny’s Child, and helped launch the careers of Kelly Rowland and other artists. But behind every spotlight-filled moment was a story of hard work, late nights, and tough choices.

In conversations with NPR’s Michel Martin, Tina recalls how she first set out to write about the music business, only to find herself telling deeper stories of entrepreneurship and motherhood. She shares the highs—watching her girls perform on world stages—and the lows—navigating a divorce after thirty-one years of marriage. Through it all, she stayed true to her values: love, honesty, and the belief that family always comes first.

Facing Cancer and Finding Strength

Just last year, Tina faced one of her toughest battles yet: a breast cancer diagnosis. It was a reminder that life can change in an instant. But true to form, she met this challenge with grace and determination. Writing Matriarch became even more urgent—a way to capture every lesson, every memory, before it was too late.

Her fans and family rallied around her. Beyoncé and Solange, now world-famous women in their own right, showed the same fierce protectiveness they learned as children. They stood by their mother, offering love, support, and a united front against fear.

Lessons for Every Family

What makes Tina Knowles’s story so powerful is how universal it feels. You don’t need to be a superstar to relate to her struggles—wanting the best for your children, hoping they stay close, yearning to leave a mark on the world. Her advice is simple:

Listen to your gut. If something feels off, trust yourself to find a solution.

Create special time. One-on-one moments remind each child they matter.

Celebrate differences. Beauty and strength come from being unique.

Share your stories. Your experiences can guide and inspire future generations.

A Legacy Written in Love

In Matriarch, Tina Knowles invites us into her family’s most private moments. She shows us that being a “matriarch” isn’t about power or fame—it’s about love, care, and the will to lift those you love to their highest potential. Her journey reminds us that every family has its challenges, but with patience, honesty, and a little courage, we can turn those challenges into lasting bonds.

As you close the final page of her memoir, you’ll see more than the behind-the-scenes moments of two global icons. You’ll see the heart of a mother who, against all odds, chose to write her own story—and in doing so, left a roadmap for all of us to follow.