Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, broke down in tears as she spoke vulnerably about her breast cancer diagnosis this week.
The 71-year-old fashion designer revealed she was quietly battling stage 1 cancer after doctors discovered two cancerous tumors during a mammogram. Following this discovery, Tina underwent surgery to remove the tumor and a breast reduction.
Now healthy and cancer-free, the businesswoman shared her experience and paid special tribute to the women who supported her and were her pillars of strength during this tumultuous period of her life.
In an emotional interview during the Loose Women panel, she said: “Friendship with women is so important to me because it keeps me connected. When I went through this [breast cancer], I didn’t even have to tell them what was happening.”
Tina continued, “I went to Houston, got my friends together, and went to church. We went clubbing and dancing. I told them I didn’t want to talk about what was going on right now, and they were all there for me.”
When asked how she broke the news to her two children, Beyoncé and Solange, and if she felt compelled to protect them, Tina admitted, “Yes, I did, but with this one, they were the first ones I told. They were the only ones I told for a while, and they supported me.”
Her voice breaking and tears in her eyes, she added gently: “They always did it in those difficult times. When I got divorced, I was devastated, and my daughters were there to cheer me up, they told me I could do things, and they made me laugh because in those moments, you also need to laugh, they are truly my rock.”
It’s unclear exactly which divorce she was referring to, as Tina has already gone through two public divorces. In 2024, she and her second husband, actor Richard Lawson, filed for divorce after eight years of marriage.
Last year, Tina didn’t specify the reason for their breakup, but admitted to missing him. After their split, Tina agreed to pay her ex-partner a lump sum settlement of $300,000.
Prior to that, Tina was married to Mathew Knowles, the father of her daughters Beyoncé and Solange Knowles. Tina and Mathew were married for 31 years before filing for divorce in November 2011, following rumors of Mathew’s infidelity.
And while Tina hasn’t always been lucky enough to be in love, she doesn’t rule herself out completely. The mother of two told Loose Women: “I would love to be in a relationship and be in love, but if I don’t, I’ll be fine. I didn’t know that until I was 70, I really didn’t.”
