NEW YORK — Tina Knowles fondly recalls her childhood days spent beneath a pecan tree as her mother narrated their family’s history, reaching back through the generations. Now, as the mother of Beyoncé and Solange, she shares her own journey with the world through her memoir, “Matriarch,” which was released this week.
Knowles, 71, mentions that her daughters have been engrossed in their careers from a young age, rarely having the time to truly absorb these stories. “When you’re young, you often don’t have an interest in tales from the past,” she explained.
At the age of 59, after her divorce from Mathew Knowles ended their three-decade-long marriage, Knowles began recording voice notes of her history, including her personal reflections, for her grandchildren and future generations. These recordings eventually laid the groundwork for the memoir.
The 432-page selection for Oprah’s Book Club covers a wide array of topics, such as her ancestors who were slaves, her entrepreneurial drive, Beyoncé and Solange’s upbringing in Houston, her first marriage riddled with infidelity, Destiny’s Child’s challenges in securing a record deal, and the racism her family faced in a segregated America. A personal anecdote reflects her temporary experience of the privileges of a whites-only bus due to her fair skin as a child.
However, Knowles steers clear of revealing private details related to her children, such as the 2014 Met Gala elevator incident between Jay-Z and Solange or Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV VMAs. This memoir focuses on Knowles’ personal narrative, providing insights such as her battle with Stage 1 breast cancer last year, initially excluded from the book. After successful surgery and treatments, she now promotes awareness, encouraging women to schedule mammograms and seek second opinions.
Embracing her storytelling, Knowles will embark on a book tour spanning nine cities, engaging in conversations with celebrated friends like former first lady Michelle Obama and Tyler Perry, even hinting at family appearances during certain events. In sharing her journey, she discussed topics like credit for her career contributions, her approach to raising children, and learning to embrace personal happiness with a media outlet.
Reflecting on her role as the stylist for Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé’s mom, Knowles feels it’s time for her contributions to be recognized. “I’ve been taught to be humble, but I’ve downplayed my influence for too long,” she noted.
Though the memoir touches lightly on the public lives of Beyoncé and Solange, Knowles chooses to focus on positivity, stating, “Everyone has moved on from those incidents, and it’s not necessary to dwell on them.”
In sharing the childhood experiences of her daughters, she is candid about past parenting errors, particularly the challenges Solange faced seeking consistency during Destiny’s Child’s rise. Knowles expressed, “Being honest about our imperfections can be healing.”
Emphasizing the profound impact teachers have on children’s confidence, Knowles includes an incident that nearly derailed Beyoncé’s educational path. “It’s crucial to advocate for your kids,” she stressed, reflecting on her mother’s failure to protect her similarly.
Beyoncé and Solange have yet to read “Matriarch” in its entirety due to their hectic schedules, but they have reviewed and approved the sections involving them. Knowles reports, “They are in agreement with everything.”
Ultimately, the memoir “Matriarch” encourages readers to prioritize their happiness. “It’s essential to live for yourself and not solely for others,” Knowles concludes, affirming her intention to embrace life fully and joyfully.