Inside Beyoncé’s Parents’ Divorce: Mathew Knowles Reacts to Tina Knowles Question
From Destiny’s Child to major acting roles in Hollywood films, Beyoncé is known for her singing, dancing, and incredible artistry. And her parents helped shape her into who she is today. Tina Knowles frequently posts about her famous daughter on Instagram, showing her support. And Mathew Knowles once managed Beyoncé and helped Destiny’s Child turn into a groundbreaking girl group. Recently, Mathew walked out of an interview when Tina was mentioned. So, why did they divorce? Here’s what to know.
Why did Mathew and Tina Knowles divorce? Tina explained why she ended the marriage
Beyoncé’s parents, Mathew and Tina Knowles, were incredibly involved in her evolution as a star. So, what happened between them?
The couple married in 1980 and remained together for 30 years before divorcing in 2011. Ultimately, Tina pulled the plug on their marriage in 2009. Mathew had a child outside of their relationship, which ultimately prompted the divorce.
“There were already problems in our marriage that first year,” Tina detailed in her memoir, Matriarch, according to People. She noted that Mathew had issues with infidelity throughout their marriage. “But the suspicions I had would get washed away by the fact that our love was stronger than a misstep…. It was us against the world, taking on what life brought us.”
Unfortunately, once Tina was pregnant with Solange, their connection took a turn.
“The marriage was deteriorating faster than I could possibly find ways or even reasons to make it work — even with the pregnancy,” she wrote. “I had gotten used to these extremes — incredibly joyous half the time as we shared life’s adventure, then being disgusted and heartsick over how brazen his cheating could get.”
Tina noted that everytime Mathew cheated or “acted up,” she felt she’d “had enough.” But she’d always take him back. Everything changed in 2009 when she learned via the press that Mathew had fathered another woman’s child.
“I screamed, ‘Get out! Get out!’ like he was some demon. ‘I hate you!’ … my world had exploded,” Tina wrote.
Tina Knowles said when she realized she’s ‘enough’ without a partner
Tina Knowles continues to embrace her independence in 2026. After her divorce from Mathew Knowles, she sustained a relationship with her longtime friend, Richard Lawson. They tied the knot in 2015, and she filed for divorce in 2023, citing irreconcilable differences.
Tina spoke on Confessions of a Female Founder about her memoir. And she discussed how she’s finally found freedom in independence in her 70s.
“It took me till 71 to decide that I am truly enough by myself without a partner,” Tina said. She then reflected that her marriage to Lawson was “wonderful,” and no one dramatic event caused their separation.
“The old me before I came to this revelation, because there was no big, drastic thing that happened, I would have stayed, but not been totally fulfilled,” Tina explained. “So, I finally know that whether I have a partner or not, I am whole. I just hate that I had to get to 70 before I realized that. I wish I would have done it way sooner in my life, but I didn’t.”
Mathew Knowles recently ended an interview over questions about his ex-wife
In a widely shared interview in March 2026 on PIX 11’s Kandid with Kendis, Mathew Knowles reacted awkwardly when the topic shifted to his ex-wife Tina Knowles and her contributions to Destiny’s Child.
The anchor praised both parents for their roles in the group’s success. Mathew responded by asking, “What work did she put in?” — a remark that stunned the host. When reminded of Tina’s well-documented styling and image work with the group, he acknowledged her input. He then abruptly ended the interview, saying it had gone off track from his planned discussion about a tribute concert.
Mathew later told Page Six that the segment started on a bad note due to the host’s alleged lateness and repeated questions about Tina. He noted that he “politely ended the interview” and posed for a photo before leaving.
